There will be 3 South African boat racers at the AOF Short Course Nationals to be held in Lake Placid, Florida, March 6 & 7. They will be Colin Duncan, Brett Duncan and Tinus van der Merwe (pronounced Teen-us).

Colin is President of the South African Boat Racing Federation (S.A.B.R.F) and was also a former South African Power Boat Association (S.A.P.B.A) Vice-President Sport & Technical. He also sat on and chaired the provincial and national selection committees and was President of the South African Hydroplane Association.

Involved in powerboat racing since 1982, Colin was 2 x South African National Champion in the OE Class and a strong contender in the OC class before retiring from driving. During this period Colin represented South Africa and his Province several times. South Africa's leading race boat designer and builder, Colin is the Strygon Racing Team manager and with his expertise in building, modifying and maintaining the teams motors, has produced 37 South African Champions under the Strygon banner in 9 different classes. Colin has also organized and held over 40 racing events including several OC(500cc) Internationals.

Brett has been racing since 1983. He started his racing career in the junior classes and was national champion every year for the 4 years that he raced in the junior classes. In 1987/1988, he started racing OC (500cc) hydros.

1983/84	South African Speed Record – OA (Junior Open) Class Eastern Transvaal Provincial colours
1984/85	South African Champion – OA (Junior Open) Class Eastern Transvaal Provincial colours Nominated for Witbank News Sport Star of the Year
1985/86	Highveld Provincial colours Third – National Championships – OA (Junior Open) Class
1986/87	South African Champion – OA (Junior Open) Class Highveld Provincial colours. Tony Vas Dias Memorial Trophy – (Highest overall points for the season out of the entire National field of pilots,both snr & jnr.)
1987/88	Started racing in the OC (500cc) class, at the age of 14
1988/89	South African Champion – OC (500cc) Class Represented South Africa in OC (500cc) Class Ist Position – International event Man of the moment trophy – for the fastest lap times for the season
1990/91	Second – National Championships – OC (500cc) Class
1991/92	Third – National Championships – OC (500cc) Class
1992/93	Second – National Championships – OC (500cc) Class
1993/94	Second – National Championships – OC (500cc) Class
1994/95	Second – National Championships – Mod E Hydro Class
1995/96	Second – National Championships – OC (500cc) Class South African Champion – Mod E Hydro Class

Current South African Champion – Mod E Hydro Class

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Tinus van der Merwe

Tinus started competing in water-ski races in 1978. He obtained numerous National Championship titles in water-ski racing as pilot, observer and skier. In 1985 he started his powerboat-racing career and since then claimed 8 South African Championship titles in various classes. He is regarded as one of the fastest and most refined pilots in South Africa and has vast experience in racing various types of boats and conditions.

He has also been involved in the management of the sport in the capacity of chairman and treasurer of the South African Boat Racing Federation. Tinus has been national champion in the OC (500cc) hydro class 6 times and has been the Mod E hydro national champion.

He is the current OC champion. Tinus is also married to Colin’s daughter.

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Personal Details:

Age: 34

Married: Yes

Children: 2

Year Started Racing: 1978

Racing Achievements:

Waterski Racing

1978	Northen Transvaal Provincial colours
1979 – 1989	8 x Southern Transvaal Provincial colours
1980 – 1983	3 x National Champion – Formula 5 (90 Hp class)
1984 – 1986	2 x National Champion – Formula 4 (140 Hp class)
1987	National Champion – Formula 3 (225 Hp Class)
1988	National Champion – Formula 2 (260 Hp modified Class)

Powerboat Racing

1985/86	Highveld Provincial colours South African Champion – SN Class
1986/87	Highveld Provincial colours Second – National Championships – OC (500cc) class Second – National Championships – SN class Second – National Championships – ON class Pilots Highpoints Trophy – Inter-provincial championships
1987/88	South African Champion – OC (500cc) Class Represented South Africa in OC (500cc) Class 5^th position against International team
1988/89	Represented South Africa in OC (500cc) Class 2nd position against International team
1990/91	South African Champion – OC (500cc) Class Man of the moment trophy – for the fastest lap times for the season
1991/92	South African Champion – OC (500cc) Class Man of the moment trophy – for the fastest lap times for the season
1992/93	South African Champion – OC (500cc) Class
1993/94	South African Champion – OC (500cc) Class
1994/95	South African Champion – Mod E Hydro Class
1995/96	South African Champion – OC (500cc) Class Current South African Champion – OC (500cc) Class

Current South African Champion – OC (500cc) Hydro Class

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