A Smooth Success for Queen and King of the Bay

The 16th edition of the Queen and King of the Bay Ocean Surfski Race saw two Christchurch racers retake their crowns.

Carly Keys (nee Tyler) etched her name into the trophy for the second time, ahead of Alexandra Martin and Shirley Erie to round out the podium, after pre-race favourite Danika Mowlem was forced to withdraw just one day before the event.

The King's race field was not short of depth, with four previous winners on the starting line, including eventual winner Ben Keys, who added to his previous two race wins in 2022 and another in 2023.

The victory makes Ben the first person to earn four wins in the coveted competition under the iconic Nelson sunshine and the sparkling clean waters of Tasman Bay.

"We had a light following sea which went a little to the east towards the end, which put us all in the pain cave coming into the Māpua finish," he says.

The Double contest was won by Sophie Hart and Nathan Fa'avae, who are training for the Yukon1000 in July and using the ocean races as part of their buildup.

They pulled away from the start and paddled unchallenged to the finish, recording the third-fastest time on the course for the day behind Ben and Gene Prato.

Daniel Bremner and Claire Sykes were the second mixed double pair across the line, while Elora Hallett and Morgan Moore were the first women's double.

Day two started and finished in Kaiteriteri, with the 18km Abel Tasman Island race.

This event has more of a social theme but holds the integrity of a race, with many of the top paddlers switching to double surf skis for the race into the National Park.

Gene Prato and Garth Spencer broke the finish tape first, with Toby Brooke and Liam Lace finishing a close second. Ben and Carly Keys were the first mixed double and third overall. Reid Forrest and Hadyn Lockie took third in the men's double. Daniel Bremner and Claire Sykes were the second mixed doubles, while Sam Millson and Alexandra Martin were third mixed double. Sophie Hart was the first female single ski to finish, and Fred Tear was the first single male ski over the line.

Over 50 paddlers enjoyed a fun, safe, and dynamic event in a stunning location. The camaraderie and culture within the event and the participants are very special, making it a rewarding and memorable weekend. The sport blends skills, challenge, health, and enjoying the ocean.

Race Director Nathan Fa'avae was thrilled to deliver two days of ocean racing in what he considered to be pretty good conditions.

"Surfski paddlers seek wind and waves, and typically in Tasman Bay in summer, there are regular afternoon waves and wind breathing into the bay, of varying strengths. While it wasn't strong winds for the racing, it was pretty good."