Bay to Beaches Race

thats a solid paddle! the link doesn't show any info for that race?

Just been in touch with one of the orangisers and they should have it up soon .

I've tryed to upload the extra info but it won't let me!

Boylos

The FEB racing month is huge here in NSW ...... That sounds like a good idea ..... where are you?

Boylos

Now how to I strap a electric motor to the Shaka

Stand Up Paddlers should rather support events that are affiliated with SUP Australia Inc (SUPA) which is the governing body for the sport of stand up paddle in Australia.

SUP Australia was established to provide SUP dedicated events that catered for a range of SUP race disciplines and represented the unique needs of suppers.

Different sporting organisations were holding some SUP events. However SUP competitors often felt secondary to the needs of the host sport. SUP competitors were also paying membership fees to each of the different sporting organisations making it expensive and disjointed for suppers.

At an inaugural meeting on 16 October 2010 in Sydney, a small group of suppers got together to discuss creating a SUP association and thereby giving SUP its own rightful identity.

The aim was to create the structure required by the Australian Sports Commission to set the foundations for a strong SUP Association.

This included putting in place the legal entities, creating a competition and education framework and supporting the development of a network of SUP clubs.

This monumental task has involved hundreds of volunteer hours by people committed to the vision of a dedicated SUP Association.

SUP Australia has now launched with a structure in place and ready to go the next stage in its evolution.

SUP Australia will only continue to grow with the support from the SUP community, and from those who have the vision to grow the sport as one.

Stand up paddle is a unique sport. Participants use a paddle and large stable board and can paddle in any water location from the open ocean out to sea, coastal shore to far inland on dams, lakes, rivers and canals.

SUP is not a surfing sport nor is it a canoe or surf ski sport. It's a melding of all, with its own specialised equipment and skill and technique.

Stand Up Paddle deserves its own dedicated governing body.

Support SUP Australia.

www.sup-australia.com

so what are the details for this event???

its less then a week away.

how do i sign up

Hey Man, I'm all for supporting the governing body but how about laying off all the other great events that people are organising. Ever heard 'variety is the spice of life'? The sport is young here in AUS, so let people be innovative. That way SUP can evolve and reach it's full potential ... if people only compete under one body it can surely just stiffle the sport ...
Is the Yamba gig next weekend SUPA? Is the Dean Gardiner Ocean Series SUPA? What about other non-affilated SUPA Clubs ... why shouldn't I join them? I don't know who's affiliated because I really don't care if they are or not.
I reckon the people will decide to support SUPA events if they think that the governing body is doing their sport justice. I have to say I think it's doing an ok job, but it isn't helped by people telling other SUP folk what to do ...
Less aggro, more love for all in the sport ... whether they are in SUPA or not!

Sorry if I have offended anyone but I don't appreciate being told where I can compete, surf, paddle or whatever. Please respect each others choices.

A few of us have done Voodoo to Gunnamatta (8kms) in a decent NE'er its loads of fun in those conditions. Steve and the guys at Southern District Paddlers have done a great job in getting this beast organised. I believe the SUPs are starting at the eastern end of Silver Beach, Kurnell effectively making it about 14-15kms for stand ups instead of 18kms from Bonna Point. Once you get around the heads at Kurnell its all systems go !

The Cronulla Sutherland SUP surf comp #1 and Blast race in Gunnamatta Bay are on the following day (Sunday 26th). If anyone was thinking or travelling up or down to the Shire here is a good excuse. :)

Too true SUPFrother!!!

I'm all for supporting events run by any organisation (including SUPA) in the interest of growing the sport. But a narrow-minded view like that expressed by Jappy is not doing anything positive for the sport! Are you for real?

You say yourself Jappy that SUPA was only formed in October 2010 - so what about the organisations that were supporting SUP and facilitating events for us before then? Should we turn our backs on everyone who was supporting the growth of the sport from it's infancy, before SUPA was formed?

I've been competing in Sup racing and surfing since the start of 2009 and am very appreciative of the likes of Surfing Queensland, Surfing Australia & SQZone/AOCRA for hosting some excellent events over the years and also to all the independently run events such as The King of the Coast, The Salt Festival, The Sydney Ocean Series, The Doctor and Merimbula!!!

Without these independent events, I highly doubt the level of competition for SUP Surfing and Racing in this country would be anywhere near where it is today.

Looks like Saturday's Bay to Beaches race has been "modified" extensively!! Received an email from Steve Newsome (Paddle NSW & Southern District Paddlers) who is the one behind organising this race. Seems the local bureaucracy has decided to beat it's chest and deem the event to be too dangerous:

Hi all,

Bay to Beaches 2012 is not going ahead. Waterways Sutherland have said that it is too dangerous and that to process an application like this I would need to sacrifice a virgin and Mike Vitnell said he would not give himself over to them so I had to refuse. I am not going to be beaten by bureaucracy and power mongers going crazy.

Instead we are running the Bay Runner 2012. The course is basically like the one attached however it will change on the day to give us the best possible run at the wind.

Race start is at 10am. Start and Finish at Gunnamatta Park. If you can help out please advise asap.

Regards

Steve

Here is the modified "Bay Runner 2012" course, which will be slightly modified again by the sounds of it in relation to the conditions on the day:



If anyone has any queries in particular, it's probably best to call Steve direct on 0404 804 145

Seems the shire is going to be a popular place in the morning;

6.30 CSSUP club surf day - Greenhills (not to self must find out as I am in first round (LOU??))
8.00 Blast paddlers skis, ocs and SUP - Gunammatta
8.30 Cronulla Paddle Posse social padle - Grays Point
10.00 Bay to Beaches skis, ocs and SUP - Gunammatta
10.00 Cronulla Paddle Shop PSH demo day - Eloura
12.00 Cronulla Paddle Shop - demo - Grays Point

Have I missed anything???????

My understanding is that's it's still round the 18k mark . I agree tough paddle if the winds are all over the place . I can't make it as I'll be a t work .

Cheers Lou for putting up the new course.....

Boylos

It's a pity the bureaucracy (bureauCRAZY) wouldn't let the event go ahead with the original plans - would have made for a challenging course with a great downwind section in the middle - especially with the forecast winds for this weekend.

I'm not sure how it works with the race directors down there, but maybe you could push for a self-regulated SUP start (like we did with the Narrabeen DW in the Ocean Series). Organise a carpool to access the northern end of cronulla beach with 4wd's - this would give you a nice 5-5.5km downwind run in the forecast NE and then a 3km upwind battle in Gunnamatta Bay to sort out the boys from the men. Probably a more realistic option for sup's than the proposed loop course if they want to encourage more sups to enter the event.

SUPer (sorry) idea Alison, easily done and the paddle up the bay is not hard in a NE particularly as the tide is up given they can hug the eastern side of the bay.........pussies if they say otherwise

(big call by me seeing as I am not doing it )

Yes, it would be tough jumping off near 'suck rock' on a 12'6 or 14'. I haven't been to Voo-y since late 80's. Has anybody gone out on a Sup ? It would be a challenge.