Race 2 - 12th September hosted by Northcliffe at The Spit next to the Volunteer Marine Rescue.

8am briefing short course. 8km.

8.15am Start. SUPs and Paddle boards.

8.30 am Start. OC1/2s all divisions including U19s and Skis.

12.45am Long Course briefing. 15km. Long for OC1's OC2's

1pm Start Long course. All divisions including Skis.

Short Course will start from the Spit out the seaway, south to a can and back to the Spit. (Weather permitting) or alternatively in will be held inside the Spit.

Long Course will start from Mermaid Beach and finish at the Spit.(Weather permitting) or alternatively it will be held inside the Spit.

Tides Low 6.51 am. High 1.55pm.

Nominations are now open via the AOCRA website.

Thanks Stuart ... great info.

Just a reminder that there are 3 races categories and 2 age groups for each. Once again just a reminder that we are only offered the Short Course Race for Northcliffe but I spoke with the Vice Pres yesterday and he advised me that if it's a howling downwind and enough paddlers are interested in doing the Long Course then they may be able to work something out to cater for us.

The problem is the lack of safety boats and officials at these outrigger events. And as we are much slower they can't look out for us in Long Course. Unless we provide our own safety boat and driver/official in which case we could race long course each time if weather conditions permit.

12'6"
14' (No steering, fixed fin)
Unlimited

Under 40's & Over 40's

Hey Sue ,

Would you have a spare 12'6' Mike Kramer wants to have a paddle.

Couldn't find the noms section on aocra,then again my tech skills are a bit lacking,or can we pay at the tent on the morning.

Been fishing of Dickeys reef on the SUPS the last few days,,, 3 big snapper.

PT

I have spoken with the Race Organisers today after the very kind offer from one of our Breezers to provide his boat and jetski as safety craft for the SUP for the LONG COURSE !!

The Organisers have agreed to this so if the conditions are good and there is the possibility of doing a downwind then we are prepared and able to do it.

The outriggers Long Course is set to be from Mermaid Beach to Southport, through the Seaway to the finish near the Volunteer Marine Rescue Centre. So this is the course we will do leaving 1/2 hr before the canoes (weather permitting).

Please be aware that the roads will be closed NORTH of the Gold Coast H-way Bridge due to a World Triathlon event held on the same day. This includes the Gold Coast H-way.

For paddlers coming from the North you want to come in anywhere after the Smith St exit. Organisers suggest coming down to the Broadbeach - Nerang road.

Hi Sue,
Just wondering whether they run the long course in reverse if we get a northerly? or do the OC's just paddle into the wind if this is the case? At this stage forecast is for ESE so all is good, but if it changes to a northerly it could be very hard work for SUPs.
Cheers,
Ali

It looks like the wind will not be in our favour on Saturday as you can see below. I heard on the unofficial grapevine that the Outriggers Long Course will probably be changed for 2 reasons.

1. It will most probably be a slight NE "none existent" wind ...ie.. no real downwind to do a downwind.
2. The shore dump is apparantly massive at Mermaid which will prevent canoes either getting out or getting in if the course is reversed.

So the canoes will most probably be starting at Southport, going out through the Seaway and punching into the NE for 8km then turning and running back with it. They will not be making there call until the morning of racing which may cause mass confusion IMO.

Now for the SUP's ... After discussions with the Organisers and several paddlers who aren't keen on doing the above ie. Why do 15km of that when you can do 8km ??? Instead of waiting till the last minute as many people are already making alot of phone calls... and causing major confusion a decision has been made.

THE SUP LONG COURSE HAS BEEN CANCELLED !

We will only be doing the 8km Short Course (the original SUP Race) which will be pretty much a smaller version of the above race ie. Starting at the Southport Spit Marine Rescue Centre (near the boat ramp), heading out through the Seaway, punching into the NE for about 2.5 to 3km and then turning and running back with the wind behind, through the Seaway and back to the Rescue Centre.

So ALL SUP ARE TO START AT 8.15am.

REGISTRATION AND BRIEFING FROM 7.30am AT THE SOUTHPORT MARINE RESCUE CENTRE.

If any of you really really want to do a longer paddle then maybe after you compete in the 8km race you can organise your own unofficial paddle later in the day in a direction that suits.

I hope to see you all on Saturday for a fun race. Please let all SUP paddlers you know of on the Gold Coast to come along and have a race. Remember there are 3 divisions.

12'6", 14' and Unlimited with two age groups...Under 40's and Over 40's.

If there are any objections or major disappointments to the above decision then please take your case to Laurie (cause he makes up the wind chart on Seabreeze) or DJ (cause he loves smoothing over disputes)

Hey Sue, Kramers got a sudden attack of work , I've got a wrist injury that hasn't been improving , yeah , yeah, on and on , excuses , excuses , Best off luck.

PT

Yes Seaguts...you'd enter the 12'6" and under class. And welcome to Seabreeze.

I heard that alot of SUP's arrived at the venue but left soon after. Danny & I presumed they left because the surf was so good today Vs paddling 8km in the flat. There were only four male paddlers in the race. Not positive of the places or times but I'm sure Travis Grant came in first on a DC12'6" followed by Dale Chapman on the new DC17'. Apparently these two battled it out the whole race. Then I'm not sure who came in next out of Rod Clarke on the 17' Ejeckulator or Stuart Phinn on a 14' C4 Vortice.

Well done boys and thanks for supporting the event. The next race is at Mooloolaba in 2 weeks (26th Sept). SUP's will have a short course 8km triangle course in the Mooloolaba Bay and also a 13km downwind from Moffits to Mooloolaba or reverse depending on conditions. I will post details of this race on Thursday this week (17th).

Thanks Sue - should be there on Saturday, the forecast keeps looking better!