Thanks to Peter Dunn for including us in the Whalebone classic. A great weekend for all the surfers with excellent weather and fun waves. They have a brilliantly run event going there.
Thanks to Ian Gross for running the sup race with his team.
The entry list had 25 starters but a couple of no shows reduced the starting fleet to about 20. It was good to see quite a few very recent converts to the sup's having a go even if it was the first time in a distance paddle, let alone a race.
The start of the race was a bit muddled as competitiors hung back from the line in a boat start, so as to not get blown over early with a fresh wind behind them at the start. But it was a good clean start for everyone with no bunching up and no clashes or congestion.
The sup race was alot of fun but tough work trying to keep up with the leaders. Once Scotty Mckercher set the pace and with Mike Galvin and his mate (a charger from the east coast) slipstreaming "tour de france style" powering for 2nd it was clear it would be impossible for most to catch them. My apologies to the guy in fourth as I can't recall his name, but he was the only one able to really get close the leaders having made up alot of ground from a way back. He managed to put a big gap between himself and the fifth position paddler (me).
Well done to the women for their effort with the results as greenroom stated including Yolanda ? in 2nd, and to the eldest paddler at 60 years of age giving it a very good effort.
Most boards used were the 10'5, 11'2 and 12'2 surf model starboards with a few naish 11'6's, a jimmy lewis point to pointer, one F16 and Scotty on a starboard point to point proto.
Conditions were almost perfect with a calm sea and 5 to 8 knot crosswind blowing offshore, so it was relatively smooth. Wedged in between the big windy storms of late we could not have asked for much more. Glad the shark decided not to come and have a sniff at the competitors also.
I am sure the full race results will be posted shortly. Those in charge were fairly busy in pack up mode most of the remainder of the afternoon and getting ready for the presentations at the Cottesloe Hotel. (and taking full advantage of the flowing beverage after the main heats, thanks to the sponsors.)
It was great to be included in such a respected event as the Whalebone classic, and I hope we get the same good luck next year with a few more entrants. But I think the competition will be much tougher with a few more talented riders.
Thanks to all the event organisers and sponsors.
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