Despite the blustery winds roaring between the canals on the Gold Coast, Stand Up Paddlers from all over Australia (and NZ) paddled into the unknown for the first ever Red Bull Water Maze this weekend. It was blowing in the 20-25 knot range from the South, but competitors had huge smiles on their faces as they got a glimpse of a race course, moments before the start. On the course was four checkpoints, each of which had to be paddled to, before a gruelling battle to the finish line. The order of each checkpoint was open, and they were hidden throughout the canal system of Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast. Strategy and brute strength were of equal virtue for Matt Poole, Michael Booth and Karla Gilbert, each winning their respective divisions against a star-studded entry list, with Michael Booth winning the covered 12'6. For his effort's he's going to be looking nervously at the sick bag in the side of a Red Bull aerobatic aircraft, plus heaps more amazing prizes from Red Bull. Paddling a Naish One inflatable to victory, Mooloolaba paddler Matt Poole had this to say about the event: "The event was a success, and everybody loved the concept of something new and exciting for SUP racing. The course was hard and the whole field split up to different check points as soon as we got into the maze, after reaching all 4 check points there was a crazy 25knot headwind southerly to punch into for the finish line, Red Bull did an awesome job and I was stoked to win the NAISH one division" With the overwhelming positive feedback from competitors, you can be sure that the Red Bull Water Maze concept will continue, possibly venturing all over Australia! Keep an eye on the events page right here on Seabreeze.com.au for details on the next one.

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