The 2014 Starboard Black Blade was billed to be an exciting Flatwater event, it didn't disappoint - with one race splitting the paddlers by 0.01sec!
The Black Blade was originally meant to be held in March, but high winds lead to the event being postponed to Mother's Day! (Yes that did go down well in some households - in saying that, the SUP'n Mums commented it was their best Mother's day yet!). The fall out was a few people could not make the event, but the 27 that did had a great day and their partners lay witness to some exciting racing.
The format was modified from last year's Black Blade (200m and 500m) to a similar format to the recent SUPfest (200m, 500m and 5km). The 500m was changed to a 1000m distance so as to make the event a "flatwater discipline event" - not just sprinting (the 200m and 500m were very similar). The result here was very interesting, paddlers that did well in the 200m, didn't necessarily do well in the 1000m - it switched it up so the same people weren't winning all the time.
There were some great battles. Derek Jones came close to an upset in the 200m O/50, nearly getting over Kevin Kemp Smith. Similarly, Cristiana nearly pipped Belinda in the Open female, only to miss out on 0.01sec! (lucky we had the photo finish equipment). Wes nearly pipped Will in the open men 200m. Ben Farmer, just got over David Slater in the U/40 Overall Champion points - despite my efforts to balls up the presentations and give the overall medal to David! 
The 5km format worked very well, with paddlers getting a clean start and doing the 3 lap circuit course. The spectators got involved, cheering there Dads/Mums, boyfriend/girlfriend, mates from the banks - it was a great atmosphere. Will Lee stamped his dominance on the event in this race, averaging well over 10kmh, to finish over 300m+ in front. The "No Drafting In The Last Lap" rule, worked very well. All paddlers were conscious of getting off the train at the last buoy turn into the final 750m stretch - this made for some interesting tactical moves prior to the turn to break out.
5km results : www.racesplitter.com/races/64C371AAA?fb_action_ids=616760358431104&fb_action_types=og.comments&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582
Belinda Stowell Brett put on a dominant display for the Open female winning all her races. Both Nicki Jones and Cristiana demonstrated a great depth to this division with exciting racing. Kevin Kemp Smith completed his O/50 dominance - winning every O/50 race over the season. He demonstrated a capacity perform outside his age group, coming 3rd overall in the 5km race!
Carol Longden also showed what disciplined training can achieve - winning the Overall female O/40 Champion - with two wins in the 200m and 1000m.
Ian Grose from Starboard Australia and Stand Up Paddle Sports, put up the $1000 Board voucher as a prize draw. It was a case of Deja vous, with Peter Pridmore's bib number being pulled from the hat! (again - Pete won the DC board voucher 2 years ago!). Special thanks must be made to Ian for his support of this event and the SUP community in general.
Further thanks to the amazing Jodi Earnshaw for acting as Race Manager for the day. The finish tower equipment is intimidating, but she handled the data with ease and helped run a very tight racing event. Brad Sheriadn for helping in the tower and on the BBQ - thanks mate. Adam Hawkeworth did a fantastic job as starter - again handling the flash tech timing equipment with ease. Special mention to Jackson Shaw, Derek Jones, Joe Fry, Wes Fry and Ben Famer for assistance with setting up and breakdown the course.
Finally thanks to the competitors for putting on such great performance and showing their appreciation by helping pack up the event and supporting it!
Thanks to Chris Le Messurier for the photos 
What a great event, my first Black Blade, thanks Greg from SUPWA for running it, loved your commentary too.
Ian Grose from Starboard, thank you for sponsoring & your generous $1,000 board voucher.
I got a lot out of the Black Blade & realise that I need to build a bigger engine, a V8, I'm thinking :)
Cheers Guys
Another outstanding day of SUP racing!
Congratulations to all paddlers...especially the winners!
Great to see some rookie talent blasting onto the racing scene - showing the sport has got a great future.
GK was brilliant in coordination (but must paddle next time!), Jodie + partner were adept in the tower and on the BBQ...Adam was most proficient with the starter's gun...TKU!!
Everyone keen to pitch in to get the bits and bobs done so all could race...awesome!
Great format, superb venue (Tku to Jamie & Venue's West) - outstanding!
Major league thanks to Ian and Starboard for getting behind a unique style of regatta.
Select to expand quotebuccaneer said...
GK was brilliant in coordination (but must paddle next time!)
Perhaps at next years Bunbury CB5500, we force GK to compete, perhaps even a presidents cup!! Impose a responsibility free zone around him for that date.
And congrats SUPWA for persisting and making the Blade happen, it takes allot of energy to maintain enthusiasm to run an event, especially after two date changes, and to maintain support amongst competitors along the way. Here's to next year.
Thanks guys
....talking about next year!
Starboard Australia have agreed to paying the entry fee for the overall top male and female paddler to attend the AuSUP Australian Flatwater SUPfest held in NSW next year.
The overall male winner for this year - Will Lee was awarded this entry fee, post event given the fact he attended the SUPfest anyway.
