• 1 - 2 December 2018, Mandurah, Western Australia
• 24km from Dawesville Cut to Secret Harbour
• World's fastest downwind paddle race
• Australia's richest Stand Up Paddle (SUP) race with equal prize money for men and women
• Over 100 international, interstate and local competitors

Final preparations are underway for Australia's most prestigious Stand Up Paddle (SUP) race and the word's fastest downwinder, the Stand Up Surf Shop King of the Cut. The seventh edition of the 24-kilometre Stand Up Surf Shop King of the Cut attracts some of the world's best with competitors from Japan, Singapore, New Caledonia, Switzerland, Ireland and across Australia. Two-thirds of the field are from outside of the metropolitan area and more than half are from outside of Western Australia. The richest prize purse in Australia for a SUP event, competitors can win a share of over $20,000. King of the Cut Chairman Greg Kerr said the event would again offer equal prize money for male and female competitors. "We introduced equal prize money last year and were the first major international Stand Up Paddle event in Australia to do so. It's fair and it makes sense," Kerr said. Held along the beautiful Peel Coast where the famed, powerful and consistent West Coast sea breeze blows perfect, uninterrupted runners like an endless conveyor belt, pushing competitors along reaching speeds of up to 20 kilometres per hour. The wind, known as the "Fremantle Doctor", makes this a fast event a favourite with SUP racers. Competing for world tour points or state representation, King of the Cut competitors will start at The Dawesville Cut at Port Boulevard and finish at Secret Harbour. The King or Queen of the Cut title and will be awarded to the first paddler across the line, regardless of board class or age. The Stand Up Surf Shop King will take place on Saturday 1 December 2018.

ABOUT

Stand Up Surf Shop King of the Cut The Stand Up Surf Shop King of the Cut has a two-day window for the best conditions - Saturday 1 December and Sunday 2 December. The Half Cut will move from the Sunday to the Saturday if the main event is held on Sunday. Spectators are invited to watch competitors start the race at Dawesville Cut and to cheer them across the finishing line at Secret Harbour. Entry is free. Date: Saturday, 1 December (or 2 December) Location: Start at The Dawesville Cut at Port Boulevard, finish at Secret Harbour Time: 13.30pm approx. - finish time expected to be from 3.30pm Competitors: 100 approx. Craft: Stand Up Paddle Boards and outrigger canoes Distance: 24km In it's seventh year, the Stand Up Surf Shop King of the Cut has some exciting additions and changes:

1. The Half Cut - a shorter 10km race. This event will be held on the same day as the main race. The Oceanside run is the first half of the famous KotC run, fantastic medium to large runners propelling you down the Peel Coast finishing in Mandurah.
2. The Express Two Storey Living Djeridjinap Run - Estuary Downwind Fun Run on Friday night for all levels. Fantastic way to learn to Downwind in a sheltered environment with friendly mentors.
3. The Stand Up Surf Shop King of the Cut Pro Class is now a separate entry class - this year sees the Pro Class (Male & Female) as a separate division which brings the event in line with all the major prize money events in the world. To be eligible for prize money you need to enter the Pro Class division.
4. New Prone Paddle Board Class - This year's event is open to Prone Paddle Boards.
5. Foiling Class - Is now an official division for the 2018 KotC. Whilst this division won't compete the Open Prize money (or the line honours KotC trophy), Enviroplumb has once again kindly put up a $500 prize for 1st Foiling Board across the line.
6. Cut Training Run & Sundowner During the Week - Mid week there will be a Cut Training run with a Sundowner catch up - TBA
7. Outriggers - OC1 & V1 classes are now recognised for the 2018 KotC and Half Cut
8. KotC Presentations and Stoke Party - this year the presentations and Stoke Party will be held in Central Mandurah at Oceanic Bar and Grill on Saturday night.

Prize Money Prize money is the same for male and female competitors including the depth, dependant on number of entrants. First prize is $4,500, second prize is $2,200 and third prize is $1,500, potentially fourth prize is $1000 and fifth prize is $750. The first foil to cross the finish line wins $500. This brings the total prize pool to $20,400 making it the largest prize purse for an SUP event in the country. West Oz Downwind Week is a series of five races within a week The Stand Up Surf Shop King of the Cut is the headline act of West Oz Downwind Week, which combines five races in the space of a week providing additional opportunities for visiting competitors to race, train and enjoy the camaraderie and festival-like atmosphere.

1. 22 November - Triple SSS , a mid-week 11km SUP race downwind from Port Beach to City Beach alongside top paddlers from around the world, followed by a social get together at the City Beach Clubhouse
2. 24 November - The Doctor , world renowned 28km combined SUP and surf ski race attracting elite, professional amateur and novice competitors from Rottnest Island to Sorrento Beach.
3. 25 November - The Super SUP Clinic , the biggest gathering of SUP paddlers in Australia and an opportunity to lean from the best SUP athletes in the world. Special guest to be announced
4. 1 December - Stand Up Surf Shop King of the Cut , (or Sunday 2 Dec) - the biggest and most prestigious SUP downwind race in Australia that attracts the world's best to race 24km from The Dawesville Cut to Secret Harbour.
5. 1 December - Stand Up Surf Shop Half Cut (or Saturday 2 Dec), 10km downwind race, the first half of the King of the Cut course from the Dawesville Cut to Mandurah.

RESULTS Stand Up Surf Shop King of the Cut

MEN 2017 Results 1st: Jake Jensen - 1:41:14 (ONE), Gold Coast 2nd: Titouan Puyo - 1:42:38 (NSP), New Caledonia 3rd: James Casey - 1:43:16 (Sunova), Sydney Northern Beaches 4th: Michael Booth - 1:45:18 (Starboard), Perth 5th: Travis Grant - 1:46:23 (NSP), Hawaii 2016 Results 1st Tituon Puyo (1:48:28) 2nd Clements Colmas (1:49:09) 3rd Matt Nottage (1:49:39) 2015 Results 1st: Matt Nottage (1:48:21) 2nd: David Kissane (1:48:25) *Unlimited 3rd: Marcus Tardrew (1:49:53) *Unlimited WOMEN 2017 Results 1st: Angie Jackson - 2:07:41 (ONE), Gold Coast 2nd: Karla Gilbert - 2:14:12 (Naish), Queensland 3rd: Belinda Stowell-Brett - 2:21:23 (Starboard), Perth 4th: Yuka Sato - 2:24:20 (Starboard), Japan 2016 Results 1st Karla Gilbert (2:14:47) 2nd Marie Buchanan (2:18:45) 3rd Angela Jackson (2:18:49) 2015 Results 1st: Angie Jackson (2:11:18) 2nd: Terrene Black (2:15:50) 3rd: Belinda Stowell-Brett (2:27:12)