The Creek to Creek course
Last weekend almost 90 stand up paddlers competed in the Gold Coasts largest ever stand up paddling event, the Creek to Creek.
With 90 entrants, 87 competitors and 86 finishers (Someone broke a paddle on the way); the Creek to creek was an incredible display of how popular the sport of stand up paddling has become in QLD. Conditions were said to be as perfect as you could ask for with calm winds, small swell and blue skies.
Due to the large number of competitors, Gold coast authorities were concerned about the paddlers blocking the entrances to the Currumbin alley, so competitors were started at intervals. The unique way of starting meant that nobody actually knew where they were currently placed throughout the race, and in fact nobody knew who'd won or where they'd placed until the presentation. Proving to be a very successful concept with the competitors, many commented that it was an extremely good way to race.
"I guess this format is a good test for peoples self motivation/drive cause you dont know how fast everyone else is going," said competitor Ryan Keck from the Sunshine coast.
"you have to be at your max the whole time."
As expected, Gold Coast local Paul Jackson finished with the fasted time, in the mens and his wife Angie Jackson won the womens. Both rode 12'6 boards which proved to be the most popular class on the day. Andie Davies and Alison Fulgar won the 14' divisions, but many riding 14' boards took a few falls getting in and out of the swell at the river mouths. With the battle of the paddle style of racing requiring 12'6" boards, they're getting extremely popular around the coast and are fast becoming the go-to board for lots of paddlers.
There's more events planned with a similar format, and you can expect to see the staggered start and secretive results show up in future events around the country. Everyone's still amped on the event and talking about it in the forums,
so check it out here!
Results
12'6 Open Mens
1st Paul Jackson
2nd Dylan Magee
3rd Beau O'Brian
12'6 Senior Mens (40+)
1st Chris Maynard
2nd Wayne Johnstone
3rd Steve Quiller
12'6 Master Mens (50+)
1st Errol von Bienke
2nd Johnno Walker
3rd Warwick Rose
12'6 Open Women
1st Angie Jackson
2nd Lynwen Birch
3rd Molly Walker
12'6 Senior Women (40+)
1st Jayne Ryeland
2nd Cathy Tanner
12'6 Master Women (50+)
1st Sue Dorries
2nd Lorraine Paciullo
14' Open Men
1st Andy Davies
2nd Steve Walker
3rd Trevor Tunnington
14' Senior Men (40+)
1st Dale Chapman
2nd Andrew Edhouse
3rd Mark Kennedy
14' Master Men (50+)
1st Paul Mitchell
2nd John Townsend
3rd Mark Waldeck
14' Open Women
1st Alison Fullagar
2nd Sondra Purser
3rd Karla Gilbert
14' Senior Women (40+)
1st Sandra Rofe
2nd Jenny Cosgrove
Unlimited Open Men
1st Matt Carter
2nd Adrian Birse
Unlimited Senior Men (40+)
1st Scott Penwarn
2nd Jeremy Scott
3rd Andrew Horua
Unlimited Masters Men (50+)
1st Neil English
2nd Robert Eyre