As seen in SUPWORLD Issue #3, the original 24hr Challenge has announced the dates for this years race. The Burley Griffin Canoe Club is holding the race on the weekend 19-20 Nov 11 in Canberra ACT; the weekend before the Merimbula Corona Classic!
There are two specific SUP Divisions:
- 12'6 and under
- 14' and over
Teams of 1-4. There is also a 'fun' division for teams of up to 8.
Last years 12'6 and overall SUP winners - OZSUP are looking to return and defend their title in 2011.
More info at: bgcc24.blogspot.com/
Here are a couple of photos from last year and part of the article from SUPWORLD (thanks to Pieter Plooy) - hope to see you there!
More info as we get closer!
Two members of last years winning team - OZSUP Centres
Dave 'Belly' Bell
Wendy 'Pebbles' Boyd
I've had a few questions about the 24h so here's a quick run down from my experience last year - remember it could be slightly different in 2011:
- SUP Teams (4x man relay) - 12'6 and under or 14' and over
- Each competitor has a number; that way you can keep track of individual your laps (as well as you teams)
- There is a fun category for teams of up to 8x
- Start time is usually 1000h on the Saturday, finish at 1000h Sunday - pressos immediately after
- Flat water course; about 4.5km circuit on the Molonglo River with two turning buoys at either end (see map)
- The course is paddled in an anti-clockwise direction, left turn (180) around the buoys, the center line of the course is marked with buoys at 50-100m intervals, at night they have a glow stick placed inside them
- Hazards in the water/on the bank are marked with pink tape by day or red glow stick at night
- There is a power boat for safety on the course
- The whole course can be seen from the Northbank along the road or bike path
- The street lights along Morsehead Drive illuminate most of the course by night
PFDs are required at night only, no deck lights allowed, the front and rear of your SUP is marked with a glow stick, you must carry a whistle during the entire race, leg ropes optional
- Small beach in the middle of the course doubles as boat ramp, start and transition area, and marshals tent - this area is lit at night
- There is road access off Morsehead Drive into the car park (which is extended onto the grass for the race). The start point is on the Northbank in front of the Royal Military College Duntroon
- There are public toilets on site, camping/caravans are encouraged (however no power), shops are 5mins car, there is usually one or two food vans on site (coffee, soup, bacon and egg sandwiches, etc)
- There was a camp fire overnight last year
- They are using the BLAST Race Management System this year
- It gets cold in Canberra ... don't forget your compression gear, windstoppers and booties
The Burley Griffin Canoe Club (BGCC) is looking for race sponsors - any distributors out there think they could donate a prize?
The race is supporting 'The CURE FOR CANCER' this year - a great cause I'm sure you'll agree.
Don't forget that the 24h is on in just 8 weeks time! 
I heard some Noosa boys might be coming down to give it a nudge ...
Registration Open
Entries are now OPEN!!!!
As of 28 Sep 11, entries for the BGCC 24 Hour Challenge are now open. This year we are using an online registration tool which can be accessed by clicking here.
The charity for 2011 is CURE Cancer.
Go Fundraise will be looking after the donation side of the registration fee. Once you have registered for the 24hr Challenge please go to the Go Fundraise page and sign up your team. Its just $20 per paddler.
Below are a few important race details
Entry Fees
$35 + $20 mandatory donation for Paddle NSW Members
$45 + $20 mandatory donation for Non Paddle NSW Members
NOTE PADDLE NSW MEMBERS
You will need your member number to complete the registration. If you do not have your membership number first check the Paddle NSW website. If you do not include your member number you will be charged the $10 event licence to cover your insurance.
Registrations close 17 November 2011
Any registrations after this date will incur a $10 late registration fee payable to CURE.
For further information or if you have any questions please contact us via e-mail
Don't forget that the 24hr is only a month away!
Reposted from the blogspot:
A letter to paddling clubs
As winter recedes and the first rays of a spring warm the vegetable garden and lift our hearts, it is time to plan our adventures for the warmer months.
The Burley Griffin Canoe Club (BGCC) would like to formally invite your club to join us on the shores of Molonglo Reach in Canberra for the BGCC 24 Hour Challenge in 2011. It is a relay event that runs from midday on the 19th of November through to the same time on the following day. It is a charity event which this year will be raising much needed money for Cure Cancer Australia. It is an event run for the sport and the participants with a raft of prizes and bragging rights up for grabs. It is an event with history dating back to 1992 when it was held between Central Coast and Burley Griffin Canoe Clubs. In 1993 it was first held at BGCC with participant numbers quite small. Since then it has grown to a community event which now brings the amazing benefits of paddle sports to anyone looking for a challenge.
In 2010 we opened this previously closed event to the wider community and welcomed more than double the number of entrants. We introduced prizes (including a brand new sea kayak drawn from a hat), onsite commercial food and beverage facilities, sponsors and a competitive atmosphere which extended from introductory paddlers through to seasoned athletes. The event was so successful that we now have a microcosm of industry specific challenges cropping up like Police versus Fire Brigade, the local store Wetspot Water Sports versus the National Capital Authority (they have an ongoing “discussion” about water quality) and commercials throwing down the gauntlet to each other. Some compete for speed, others for entertainment value. Everyone finds time to chill out and relax on the expansive shore, especially overnight around an open fire.
This year we hope to double the numbers again with a specific focus on growing the interclub competition. While we bring new people into the world of paddling we also strive to strengthen the tradition and provide a challenging environment for those that consider paddling to be more their lifestyle rather than an annual distraction. Our event is sufficiently disparate from both the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic and Murray Marathon that it could be used as an isolated event or dress rehearsal for the latter. We certainly have members attending either or both these great races as well.
To help us plant the BGCC 24 Hour Challenge firmly on the paddling calendar, we would also like your input on how we can make this event more appealing to you and your members. Please circulate this message through your club and anyone who has something to contribute can do so through their existing links with BGCC or via our email address: bgcc24@gmail.com.
For all the finer details on this year's Challenge, please check out our website: bgcc24.blogspot.com/ we will continue to update it as registrations open (by Friday the 9th of September), prizes are finalised, the 4 – 5 kilometre course is mapped out, etc.
So please, come along, enjoy the atmosphere around the open fire, support a worthwhile charity and give each other (and us) a challenge.. This is one of very few events which have gained approval to camp out in the nation's capital so take the opportunity to enjoy it with us. It will be great to see you there.
Kind regards,
Burley Griffin Canoe Club
G'day Breezers,
Don't forget that the 24h Challenge is on in a couple of weeks. It's for a great cause and is backed by some great sponsors. So come on up to the High Country for the Original 24hr Challenge.
G'day Breezers,
Just an update to let you know that the Register Now site is up and running again for the 24h Challenge, go to the website at: bgcc24.blogspot.com/
The BGCC 24hr Challenge powered by BLAST Paddlers ...
I can't this year now (Cop out)
The callander is full and I haven't been training.
It is on my to do list though.
Ok Breezers ... last chance to register before the 1000hr start tomorrow ... otherwise look forward to reading about it a future edition of SUPWORLD!
Good luck Berni, hope you and the Army SUPrs go well....look forward to seeing some images after the race.
We are off on the BGCC 24h Challenge with a new course record on the first lap from Shaggy on Matty Carr's Hobie Elite Race 14' posting 30.40min on the 4.5km course; Myagi posted 37.17min on the Fanatic Fly Race 12'6"; and Pebbles posted 46.57min on the Angulo Shaka 14'! Go team! Yeew!
It is not too late to support the team and donate to Cure Cancer: bgcc24hourchallenge2011.gofundraise.com.au/page/Shaggy
2nd lap has Flying Frenchman posting 35.25min on the Fanatic; Wheels posting 38.01min on the Hobie; and Tex posting 53.24min on the Angulo Shaka!
On the 3rd lap Toga Pockets posted 38.53min on Matty Carr's Hobie; Cougar Bait posted 44.17min on the Fanatic; and The Cougar posted 49.14min on the Shaka!
Fourth lap had The Wall post 41.15min on Matty Carr's Hobie; Skimboard Dude posted 38.11min on his Naish Glide 12'6"; and Candy Apple posted 49.50min on the Angulo Shaka!
Winds are high, but so is morale! Army surf riders are leading the high country boys and girls!
Into the 5th round of laps and the wind has dropped right off! Beautiful glassy conditions but it is obviously dark! Just starting the 4h paddle shifts! Yeew!
Just over 8h to go and time for the shift change! Looking forward to getting some sleep for a bit!
It has been a long night for all the paddlers and as the shift changes finish bleary-eyed paddlers are everywhere! Over night Toga Pockets had a bad stack involving a submerged log; he is ok, can't say the same for the Hobie! 6h to go Yeew!
The morning opened with Shaggy posting a new SUP course record of 29.33min over the 4.5km course just as it started to rain! All the paddlers are back into it now freshly fuelled with Cougar Bait's bacon and egg banjos and coffee! 2.5h to go! Yeew!
