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By Mervyn Naidoo 
5h ago
Honoring the memory of a dear friend and restoring national pride propelled a local adrenaline junkie to face the power of the ocean and set a Guinness World Record.
When the 2021 edition of the Guinness World Records is released, it will feature the name of Durban’s surf-ski ace Quinton Rutherford.
Rutherford, 50, set a new world record for the longest ocean rowing in 24 hours when he covered 227 kilometers on his 20-foot long row on Friday.
To accomplish the feat, Rutherford set out from Cape Vidal near Saint Lucia on the north shore of KZN at 4.30am and finally dropped his oars at Thompson’s Bay in Ballito, around 7pm that night.
New Zealander Tim Taylor set the previous record of 214km in 2015.
But that “didn’t sit well” with Rutherford.
“The record did not belong to New Zealand but here in South Africa because we have the eight best surfers in the world. Many of them are in Durban and some are in Cape Town. “
Rutherford was referring to world-renowned rowing skiers like the Chalupsky brothers (Oscar and Herman), Hank McGregor and Andy Birkett.
“And we make the best surf-ski boats in the world.”
Rutherford said he was a midway paddler compared to his contemporaries, “but it is fitting that the record is now in South Africa.”
“Maybe it will inspire more local kids to try to break the record,” he said.
The other motivating factor in Rutherford’s feat was his desire to pay tribute to his friend Mark Perrow, another accomplished local surf skier, who was killed when the flying plane crashed into a cliff in uMkomaas in March.
“Mark was my rowing partner and we had a good connection. I did this in memory of him, and to say goodbye. “
Luckily, Rutherford’s 140-mile journey ended in front of Perrow’s house and Friday was also his friend’s birthday.
“It was dark when I got to Mark’s house in Ballito, which overlooks Thompsons Bay. “I went out to drop a flare, but when I tried to row again, I couldn’t get past his house. I was tired.”
Rutherford prefers endurance surf-ski events and is a regular at these types of events on the local circuit, and has also participated in 25 Dusi Canoe Marathons.
But Friday’s record effort was built on all his years of experience.
“It took years of skill and love for the ocean.”
Rutherford made the strategic move to go 34 km out to sea, off Cape Vidal, to catch the current running through it.
But that meant maneuvering his ship, which weighed about 10kg, through winds traveling at 34 knots and 6m high waves.
“Going 34 km out to sea is probably the limit for rowing. But we enjoyed the adrenaline rush and the freedom of being in the ocean, with the wind whipping us.
“It’s me against nature. Friday was an extreme challenge, “said Rutherford.
While he did well, these were tough times for the 4-judge team who rode a 6-foot rubber duck and monitored their progress at all times.
“The waves were breaking on their boats. It was wild. “
Rutherford said that R250,000 was needed for the UK Guinness team to attend and certify that it had adhered to the strict criteria for it to appear.
He was able to raise money with the help of the local rowing community and some local businesses.
“We are a small family of paddlers, but very united.”
Rutherford said he was warmly welcomed by a large group of surf-ski enthusiasts at the end of Friday’s mission.
While he had no ambition for another record attempt, he hopes to guide youngsters to go beyond his mark.
Sunday grandstand
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