a doctor question

been thinking about the race and conditions.

now i know jack about the area, but seeing as rotto is an island couldn't the race finish be altered to suit the conditions on the day

cheers

not in a n/w'er, there is no good line. If it was run into Freo or south you would still have to contend with a sw swell. So you either go with the swell and against the wind or vice versa.

Two years ago it was run from Port Beach (just on the north side of Freo) to Rotto as it was a howling easterly (offshore on this side of the country). That wasn't a bad run. A bit washy towards the end but not as bad as last weekends conditions.

Four years running of below average conditions so next year we should be due for a "true" Dr.

In regard to flexibility of finish lines and even the race day these remain somewhat inflexible as the race is run basically as a ski race and that is the orgaisers top priority. Ski's as we know are less effected by wind than SUPs. When it went in reverse with the eastly they were very reluctant to change and only did so at the last minute even if it is was a no brainer. Factors involved are shipping movements which means race organisers need permission re time slots from harbour authorities, certainy for sponsors in where to display there advertising, attract the public as well as providing the spectacle of an "exciting" finish.

There are advantages to being tacked onto a ski race as they do most of the hard hards in advertising, entries, timing, permission from relative authorities, logistical matters and insurance. I raced in the "easterly" race and found on the whole it was a well run, enjoyable and cheap event to be involved in.

However, I do believe the event could be done really well as a stand alone SUP event and if we got the conditions that are in actual fact common here i.e. a real Freo Doctor at 25+ knts with swell then the event could be a truly spectacular SUP event and a real highlight on the SUP racing calender.

There are pros and cons like most things and probably as a sport in W.A. are not quite big enough to go stand alone yet but I think it's a goal worth striving for.

Best wishes from W.A. (which some believe means Wait Awhile).

As most people have said, I don't think there was any way to change the course to utilise better conditions on the day... especially when right up to the race start the forecast was still calling for the wind to swing W/WSW albeit very light.

It was a tough race and conditions weren't great, but that's what you get when you choose to race in Oz!

Most of the 'downwind' races I've done this season (Coffs, Sydney and Perth) have been in less than ideal conditions, some a bit worse than others - our weather is highly variable and not always predictable (unlike Maliko for example) and that adds an extra challenge to each race. Regardless - the better paddlers usually come out on top!

Only feedback I would have for The Doctor organisers is that if you advertise a race as having a two-day window to utilise the best downwind conditions possible, then use the window, otherwise don't advertise it in the first place - just set the date and run with it.

I'll be entering no matter

i not trying to make a noise or sups go it alone or anything sinister.

its a legit question for my interest in the race

no, it doesn't undermine the organisers, there is a reason most likely, i'm asking what it is.

the paddlers i've talked to said it was the hardest race they've done. why- side chop , they said.

so that got me thinking, if the side chop was dominate , why not paddle with it if the wind wasn't right.

is that thumbing down the organisers- hardly.

people who know the area, are involved with dw ing in its many forms might clue me in and some, maybe some others who might be interested.

SSW? ... Geez that would be interesting half way across where we get those bigger swells rolling through , where it shallows off bit , nice sized "Surf-runners" eh Hilly

Reckon they already have 'a bucket full of cash on offer',
but with 30+ entrants this year would be good to see the numbers increase in the future races with the generous offerings by the sponsors,
so it sounds like the organizers are prepared to change things around a bit which is good, maybe teams of two people to get the not so elite across the 27 kays?

27 k dw in 20+ knots is a piece of piss but side shore is hard work 2 day window might solve that. Remember it is a ski race so side shore not as much of an issue.

Hi Lacey, I know that deano did try to start us from the northern side but the rangers wouldnt let him do it, a freo finish was thought about as well but the maritime authorities put that one to bed pretty quick due to shipping movements. That stetch of water is pretty well policed you are not even allowed to drive a jetski across without permission. They did all the best to help us out including a wide start and cutting out the middle marker. It was a tough paddle but was cool to see all the outer reefs around that area and some looked quite surfable on a sup.