reef2reef said...
We are looking at the possibility of running the Reef 2 Reef as a racing series.
The same course Long Reef to Newport Reef (10 km reversible for downwind racing) with an accumulating point score.
Would love to get some feedback from people as to the viability of providing more ocean racing opportunities on the Northern Beaches of Sydney.
Is this something of interest?
Yes, there is strong interest as last years series isn't happening this year
Last year's series run by Sam Williams worked prefectly as it was run for the paddlers in the best conditions possible at the right price. I think we averaged about 40 paddlers per event with a total of 100 or so unique paddlers during the series.
Race day on the proposed weekend was decided as close as possible to the weekend in order to choose the best conditions for downwind paddling.
Perhaps the biggest flaw with current ocean racing is that racing days are set down well ahead of time and that's where they stay. Often racing in the worst conditions of the weekend. Ocean skis can deal with this far better than SUP's and that is why Sam Williams series was started and that's the main reason it succeeded.
Price was also a big plus for last year's series. There is a massive amount of racing this year for paddlers and each one costs money. If you can keep the costs reasonable that would help greatly. To pay $50 each event may be getting to steep.
Finally as John Engel said beer just seals the deal in a lot of paddlers eyes.
Always keen to chat about this as are the legends from the SPSC club. They will help make this work with you.
