Great race over the weekend in glorious conditions. The 2nd Action Sports WA Flatwater20 was a fantastic success, with over 40 competitors racing in the 20km and 10km distance. Thanks to Rog and Chris for running the event; CWA for their support - especially Peter Martin; everyone that stuck around to help set up and break down the pontoons and assisted as officials. A big thank you to our event sponsor Action Sports WA - Darren and Tood for their support and assistance on the day.
Will Lee took out the men's division, after battling it out with Greg Long over the 20km course with a sprint to the line. Belinda Stowell took out the ladies 20km division over Cristiana Chessa and Nicki Jones. It was great to see a full field for the ladies 20km division - despite falling short of the 10 paddler target, which would have resulted in a prize draw for a fanatic race board in this small field - generously donated by Action Sports WA (Darren has promised this will carry over to next year's race!)
The 10km race was a husband and wife affair, with Lach Simpson winning the men's open division and Sal Simpson winning the female open.
Flatwater20 Overall
1. Will Lee
2. Greg Long
3. Kevin Kemp-Smith
4. Ben Tardrew
5. Wes Fry
6. Greg Kerr
7. Darren Marshall
8. Joe Fry
9. Derek Jones
10. Scott Haywood
Flatwater20 Female Open
1. Belinda Stowell
2. Cristiana Chessa
3. Nicki Jones
U/40 State Champions
1. Will Lee
2. Greg Long
3. Ben Tardrew
O/40 State Champions
1. Greg Kerr
2. Darren Marshall
3. Joe Fry
O/50 State Champions
1. Kevin Kemp-Smith
2. Derek Jones
3. Kent Wright
10km Male Open
1. Lach Simpson
2. Gordon Salvage
3. Geoff Bryant
10km Female Open
1. Sal Simpson
2. Michelle Jenkins
3. Carole Longden
Full times here: www.racesplitter.com/races/87A982E41
Excellent video guys. Nice to see a WA SUP vid that's not full of soggy bottom boys.
and refreshing to see there's actually quite a few board brands kicking around perth...
Great video once again Matt.
Some great performances all around with Will and Greg setting a cracking pace out in front.
It's kind of nice in a way doing loops because you can check out the positions of the leaders each lap even when they are that far in front of you they would be out of sight if it was straight, the down side is that you can see how much they are pulling away each lap.
For me though the stand out once again was Kevin not only taking out the O50's but coming home 3rd overall in front of some very fit and fast paddlers.
Top effort Matty, great edit and some ripper footage (not to mention the soundtrack !!). It was never going to be easy to make a flatwater event entertaining, but you have smashed it !!
Select to expand quotetightlines said..
Great video once again Matt.
Some great performances all around with Will and Greg setting a cracking pace out in front.
It's kind of nice in a way doing loops because you can check out the positions of the leaders each lap even when they are that far in front of you they would be out of sight if it was straight, the down side is that you can see how much they are pulling away each lap.
For me though the stand out once again was Kevin not only taking out the O50's but coming home 3rd overall in front of some very fit and fast paddlers.
Was Kevin paddling your flat water dc?
Kev was on what used to be a DC 16' Flatwater but has had 2' chopped off.
It is pretty much the same as my 14 DC Flatwater but now has a square tail instead of a pintail.
Select to expand quotetightlines said...
Kev was on what used to be a DC 16' Flatwater but has had 2' chopped off.
It is pretty much the same as my 14 DC Flatwater but now has a square tail instead of a pintail.
Was that Galvo's one?
Were you on yours or has that moved on?
Select to expand quotetightlines said...
Kev was on what used to be a DC 16' Flatwater but has had 2' chopped off.
It is pretty much the same as my 14 DC Flatwater but now has a square tail instead of a pintail.
Was that Galvo's one?
Were you on yours or has that moved on?
Select to expand quoteakhawk said..tightlines said...
Kev was on what used to be a DC 16' Flatwater but has had 2' chopped off.
It is pretty much the same as my 14 DC Flatwater but now has a square tail instead of a pintail.
Was that Galvo's one?
Were you on yours or has that moved on?
Yep that was Galvo's.
I still have my DC Flatwater but didn't paddle it on the day.
I had the chance to paddle a 25 Starboard Ace (thanks Ian G), I had never paddle one before that day so thought I would take the opportunity to try it in a race.
I'm still not sure which one would have been quicker, I actually think they would be very similar and Will certainly proved that the Starby is up for it if the motor is tuned right.
I think I will hang onto my DC Flatwater and just see if I can get the motor running a bit better. 
Was Greg Long paddling in the over 40 div or did he change on the day and tight line hang with the DC camp man we are getting over run with starbys
Select to expand quotestimo said..
Was Greg Long paddling in the over 40 div or did he change on the day and tight line hang with the DC camp man we are getting over run with starbys
Greg Long was 39 as of Jan this year so managed to stay U/40. Bad news for the O/40s next year though!
Select to expand quotePiros said..
Great video looks like a fun race.
Feedback was in two camps - some didn't like the portage, some want to see it remain as it set it apart from other long distance events.
What did all the racers think?
NO RUNNING
NO RUNNING
NO RUNNING
Would rather see six bouys in two rows of three slightly offset over 40m and you have to do tight kick turns like a slalom course.
That would break up the draft trains.
What jenks said!!! I lost 20 meters to whoever I was next to every frigin portage haha.
I think watching people slow down pull a 14ft board out of the water and run with it for 100 meters looks pretty awkward! And I'm sure there would have been some damaged boards from it. Whateva happens supwa run a sweet event and action sports w.a put up great prizes so even with a bloody portage it's still a great event :)
I'm not fussed either way but I didn't really mind the portages, to me it is probably the only time the taller heavier guys have got an advantage.
