The family race idea is great.
Whoever thought of that idea hats off to you
Great way to encourage the young ones and the oldies.
Thanks to everyone that came along to make this an Awesome Day. Congratulations to all the winners.
Mark it in your diary for next year.
Awesome event guys and well done to the team for all you hard work .
Looking forward to seeing some pics
Boylos
Amazing day at the river. Happy kids, sleeping like babies.
A great time had by all, thanks to everyone that made it an excellent event.
Book me and the boys in for next year.
A bit disappointed, the event could have been organized better. I arrived at 7.15 after over an hour drive. I cant really see the point of sitting around for 10 hours for a 20 min race, oh but depending on who you are you can arrive at 11.30 and register ( 3 people ) and even pay and enter on the day. Stick around till 5pm to maybe claim a prize, no thanks ( no show no prize ) I shall not return.
I have been following this thread since it started and I see the same old dramas coming through when it comes to competition.
The club needs to know numbers for numerous reasons, T-Shirts, catering, number of heats etc etc.
Some entrants can commit early and do so. Others have late cancelations of family events or other fixtures and want to enter late, they can't do so in this case as there was a cut-off. Then of course there is the 7.30 registration for an event not held till 3.00pm. Wow what a mine field, trying to please everybody all the time.
As a past Mal Club president and Contest Director I understand the organisers issues. As a once competitor I can understand that some people don't want to travel for an hour to register at 7.30 and then have to wait around till 3.00pm to race.
The bottom line is that if there are regulations put in place by the Organising Club then an entrant must abide by these regulations. These are the conditions under which the event is to be held.
However, we then get the age old "mates entries", (if it happened), someone who knows someone rocks up at 2.00 for a race at 3.00, pays his entry fee, registers and is in.
The problem here is that people who wanted to compete were stopped by the regulations where as someone who was "famous" or "knew someone" is able to compete. That is of course if the "allegation" took place.
The simple answer is that the organisers must stick to thier regulations regardless of "who" may want in. The competitors must abide by the regulations as part of thier entry conditions. If you don't like it don't go.
The bottom line is have "respect" for others, drop the "famous" friends crap and treat everyone the same.
Oh and go for a surf and enjoy your self.
A first time race, friend of mine, noted on our drive home that the "mates" thing came through in the prize giving too.
The format and location of the event is amazing.
After competing in the event it was evident that the reasons given for "no late entries" didn't really show on the day.
T-shirts, number of entrants, food etc.
The way the races where run (lots of time between each division) and the location could have easily made for open entries on the day.
The t-shirt issue is not a legit argument either, if you run out, send some more in the post after the event, simple.
overall it was a great race, but feedback needs to be taken onboard to make it better for next year.
thanks and cheers
It was first time for me also. I enjoyed the day and got some great advice from great paddlers. I also thank the organisers and sponsors for the day.
However, I too observed several people turning up at all times and registering and paying.
When you dont know anyone and are new to the sport etc the last thing you are gonna do is front an organiser and have a whinge.
So for a 30 minute race (lot longer for me) I was up at 6am, got there around 7:30am and sat around until my race at 2:15. Its a long day when your nervous
I also couldnt hang around for the after race activities at the RSL due to family commitments.
If the rules were for "no entries on the day" and enforced then there would be no bad feelings. Especially when I wasnt the only person to witness this.
Also Im sure you couldve got another 10 entries or maybe more from the north side if they were allowed to "drop in" and enter.
Anyway, it was big learning experience, I got a bit out of it but I think you should have a rethink on the rules and regs for next year.
Cheers.
Hope everyone had a great day yesterday! I know I did! It was great to catch up with a lot of people, and meet a whole bunch of new faces.
Being one of the committe members for the Cronulla Sutherland SUP Club Inc, I can assure you that all of your feedback is being taken onboard. But in saying that no matter what is planned, we can't always please everyone, but we will work hard to try do it.
When we were organising the time table, the Blast Summer Series had organised their final race on the same day (in the morning), we decided at that point to move the big races (12'6, 14 and sup lemans) to the end of the day to allow people to compete in both the blast race and our event. After we had published out timetable, the blast series had moved to next week.
In the coming days/weeks we will be announcing the date for next years River Race for everyone to put in their calenders, we look forward to and even bigger and better event next year! Look forward to seeing you all down on the Woronora River again! If you are local to the area, the Cronulla Sutherland SUP Club Inc has a club round on the last sunday of each month, rounds alternate between Surf Contests and Flat Water races.
Being on the water - whether ocean, river or lake - is a place where we can leave the pressures, problems, issues and negativity of every day life behind. It's a shame that this forum is not always an extension of that feeling.
If you came to the race and enjoyed it, I'm sure we'd love to see the pictures and hear about the good times you had and the people you met.
If you came and didn't have a good time, the place for that feedback is directly to the race directors.
If you didn't come, then I really don't see how you can make any comments.
Me and my family and friends had a great time. My son raced for the first time and has passionately told everbody he's met today all about it. How would he feel to read the comments by some on this thread. The organisers did their best to please as many people as they could, and I happily donated my time to help set up and break down the event, and will again next year.
The event is over for another year, and hopefully so is the "negative" press.
Look forward to showing my son the nice pictures and postings that may follow.
Yeah Greg, that was me
Never paddled behind a Manly Ferry but I reckon the wash from the 17 paddlers in front of me at the start would come close!! talk about a cork on the ocean!!
I think I was still in windsurf slalom racing mode waiting for the count down to the hooter (trying to hit the line at pace) but realised it was bang and go. No idea.
As I said, a complete new experience for me but its all a learning curve.
Nice chatting to you on the run round the bend Greg
So, anyway ... what were the results? Who won the big raffle prizes? Anybody get some video?
I am a first timer when it comes to SUP-ing, ive had my board for three weeks and had a ball on the day, big thanks to the guys for putting this on, I had fun. Great weather and good to be out on the water. Keen for the next shire surf comp!
here is a pic I took before the handicap race
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Uploaded with [URL=imageshack.us]ImageShack.us[/URL]
Lots of photos are up online at
www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.360089104028256.75427.139225079447994&type=1
Dane Hurst won both the 14 and SUP Lemans race,
Josh Fletcher won the 12'6 race,
Peter and Courtney won the Family Race
Mark Mitchell won the unlimited board and non race board races.
Mel McManus won the 12'6 and 14 womens races.
will find out the other results/places and post soon.
Had we been able to enter on the day there would have been 3 more entires from the Northside.
We rang and were disappointed to be told no entries on the day.
It's even more disappointing if that was not the case.
Casso .. yes I am pretty sure she was 3rd after being drafted for most of the race by a loving husband who shall remain nameless. Great day was had by at least 99.9% of competitors
Greg Don't worry I will get you a cold beer. I don't forget my bets (up to a value of $10)
We really enjoyed our day at the Naish River Race. It was the first time we had ever had the opportunity to attend such an event. The venue on the Woronora river was an great spot with plenty of shade on a day when the weather was playing cricket. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed. It was great fun to demo some boards and see kids also having a go at supping. My niece tried it for the first time and loved it so much it was hard to get her off the water. The event organizers worked hard through out the day to ensure everyone had a good time. It was a great effort on their part. Thanks to the sponsors for their contribution that made this such a fun event.
