Saturday morning at the Mambo was the Balmoral Beach to Bar SUP race.
We had 17 teams of 4 paddlers and the plan was to have the first paddler run down the beach to their board and paddle straight across to the Bar Beach were they would tag their next paddler and they would then have to run up the beach, skull and short black coffee, run back down to their board and paddle back to the main beach via the floating party island and tag their next paddler.
There was a 12'6" limit on board size and our team was using my 12' Naish Glide.. I took my board out for a paddle prior to the race to check out the conditions.
The water was so clear and green.
I paddled over to check out the party island and saw that there really is an esky there and it is full of cold beer.
Jason was our third paddler and he would be using one of his beautiful wood paddles that he makes himself.
Everyone gathered around as John explained how the race would be run.
This is the view from the Bar Beach as the first lot of paddlers approached.
The second lot of paddlers stood around nervously as we waited to see who was leading after the first leg.
It was our first paddler Matt Lumley that was leading the pack and he was looking good.. There was a head wind paddling towards the bar and tail wind heading back.
This is the view from the top where you had to run up to a drink your coffee.
This is 'One knot Warren' heading back down after sculling his short black and it looks like the cup is still in his hand. Warren is a legend and got his nickname for being able to windsurf in just one knot of wind.. He's now a keen SUP'er.
The first lot of paddlers are now heading back to the main beach.
The paddlers kept coming and board handlers held boards in place while their paddlers ran up and did the coffee thing.
This is Andrew Allan waiting to pass on his 12' PSH gun to their next paddler.
Here's Keahi de Aboitiz waiting for his paddler.
This guy tags his mate and he turns to run up the hill.
Well 'loud shirts' was the theme for this years Mambo.
Check out the beautiful... arr .. water.
Don't stand too close to Casso if your bum is sticking out of your boardies.
Some of the cheer squad watching the action from up on the top of the hill.
Here's the view and time for me to get ready to paddle.
I was rapt to see Jason in the lead and swinging that beautiful wood paddle of his and really going for it.
It was now up to me to hold the lead.. Here I am running down the hill and heading off on my paddle back on the last leg of the race.
We won the race and here is our team.. Jason, Matt, me and Cam.
There was almost 70 paddlers in the race with some paddling in fancy dress.. All had a great time.
A paddle-off was planed for the next day with the top six teams competing in it.. I have pics of that race also and will post them soon.
DJ
