Race 3 - Bondi To Watsons Bay - Sat Oct 22

Has anyone paddled a SUP between Bondi and North Head?

None that I know of. I have paddled ocean skis through this area and it is special. Shear 50 metre cliffs dropping into crystal clear water.

The bumps are really fun through this water. Lots of little A-frames due to the bounce of the cliffs.

The Bondi clubbies put on a good show with this race. The "after party" at the Watsons Bay Hotel is particularly good. In the past they have usually provided complimentary Fish and chips with a beer voucher to wash it down.

For details, go to: http://online.oceanseries.com.au/pages/oceanseries-events/bondi-to-watsons-bay.php

The forecast is showing great weather with a light southerly which is perfect for this course. However, they will reverse the course if the wind is north.

Remember, PFDs are compulsory. See Sam at WSS or Dean at Oceanpaddler if you need one.

Let me know if you need a lift over from the Northern Beaches and we will try to co-ordinate transport.

Quick points update:
Unlimited: Sam and Andy are equal at the top, with Pete Myer closing.
12'6: Stevie followed by Dave and newcomer Brad Gall.
Women: Terrene Black leads Lanee Beashel (yes, she is a good sailor). Terrene will consolidate her lead this weekend as Lanee puts herself through some Hawksberry Classic Hell

Is this the Lanee Beashel you are talking about?

Lanee "Carrie" Butler-Beashel, born 3 June 1970 in Manhasset, New York, is an American windsurfer. She competed at four Olympics from 1992 to 2004.[1] Her best position was fourth in 2000.[2]

She is married to America's Cup sailor Adam Beashel. Her brother in law is six-time Olympian Colin Beashel. She and Adam have two sons, born in 2008 and 2009.[3]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lanee_Butler

Yeah I did Bondi to Opera house a couple of years ago.

Researched the trip quite a bit and it is an interesting piece of coastline.

OK - looks like there is a bit of a crew going over from North side on Saturday. If you need a lift, PM me. The plan is to meet at my place at 6.45am and take a couple if cars so we can sort out the car shuffle between Bondi & Watsons Bay.

Hey Dave, have you heard if the SUPs will have an earlier start. Only way i can get some SUP footage is if they do this.

Cheers R

Cam - stoked for you both. Enjoy!

I have a question for you guys.

I can paddle the distance but I know I can't keep up with the likes of Sam and you northern beaches guys for speed and would really like to compete in some of these type of events.

That being the case, are these races more for the hardcore speed demons only or can the turtles who can paddle the distance without stopping but in their own time welcome or just wasting everyone's but their own time ?

I guess sort of like the guys who compete in the City to Surf / Triathalon's etc to better themselves rather than to finish at the top end.

Any thoughts ?

Thanks guys.

I'm good to go, going to bring the GoPro for some helmet footage too.

Really looking forward to it but hoping I'm not the last one onto the sand at Bondi but if I am, just cheer me on.

Thanks again.

ok Chris will bring my Go Pro as well and see if i cna make a half decent vid from the footage !

I've put off on getting a PFD for so long looks like I will have to organise one..

It does like like a fun morning, it'll be good to have a good SUP turnout hopefully too.

Sorry you can't trail at the back with me Goaty - damn.

I've got this PFD which I thought was really good last year but it seems that it'd be outdated now with the 'bumbag' one's I'm hearing about.

It does the job though and doesn't hinder my shoulders - just feels big. Hmmm, to buy another or not ?

Sorry about my ugly mug in the shot, I'm at work and don't have the tools to crop on the work 'puter !...was thinner then too.

Looking forward to the race and the forecast is looking good too.
Can't wait to try out the 14' Bullet in some downwind conditions

Sorry to be a pain guys but the bum bags are not enough. You actually need to wear the things for obvious reasons. Refer to race rules:
http://online.oceanseries.com.au/pages/oceanseries-events/event-rules.php

"The minimum requirement is a PFD type three and must comply by Australian and Overseas standards."

A few crew had bum bags and some actually did not wear PFDs. I asked the organisers to overlook it due the race being held in the mild waters of Pittwater and the guys wearing leashes. But they will make you wear compliant PFDs in this race. There is about 8 km of sheer cliffs so you need to be self sufficient if you have any issues.

Cheers, Dave

BTW - guys, the go pros will be great!

Thanks Kissa,

The 'bumbag' is 'Certified to Australians standards AS 1512 (PFD type 1) this waist belt is only PFD 1 if it is worn'.

Wouldn't that make it acceptable ?

I found this chart that some of you might find interesting on the NSW Maritime website.

Leggie and suitable PFD for sure - I'm scared now let alone what I'll be like actually on the water come Saturday !

Hey Greg - unfortunately it is too late. We are already a nanny state for PFDs. These races have to get NSW Maritime approval and they (NM) have stipulated PFDs have to be "worn".

I asked Dean Gardiner (who is probably the most experienced organiser of ocean races in Australia ala The Doctor, Fenn Cup, Austalian Ocean Racing series etc) and he directed me to his the rules for his series:

"All paddlers must wear lifejackets capable of supporting their own weight (can not be blow up type unless they are fitted with a cannister that inflates the jacket)."

Greg, you might be a great swimmer but many paddlers are not. There will be over 300 paddlers in the 20 Beaches and I am sure some of them are not proficient swimmers. Paddlers wearing PFDs give the race organisers the confidance (and legal assurances) to put on races in extreme downwind conditions.

I find it a pain in the arse too but I would much rather do awesome and interesting races than to dumb the whole thing down so we don't have to wear PFDs.

I have raced surf skis in South Africa and those events are extreme. I did a race in Durban 2007. Of the 150 starters, around 20 of them lost their skis...even though they had leashes - the leashes just snapped. The whole French team lost thier skis. One of the skis was found 400km up the coast in Mozambique! Luckily all paddlers were rescued, however, some spent up to half an hour bobbing around in pretty wild conditions without PFDs.

So there was a choice to be made. Tone down the races or wear PFDs and keep them extreme. From that point, all ocean paddling races in SA require PFDs to be worn.

Here is some video of the race I was talking about.

Hey Dave, thanks for taking the time and following through on this to clarify the situation. I think the sensible solution being self inflating PFDs makes perfect sense.

I wasn't advocating no PFDs just the style (ie self inflating bum bags)

And thanks for the compliment, not that good a swimmer just a big bloke that floats well and has the ability to turn the arm over and over and over again for a VERY slow 6 kms whom now gets into SUP and just wants to paddle in the ocean

hope its a super day, weather looks perfect, wish I was out there but baby steps

Greg