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Forums > Stand Up Paddle General

Melbourne's first SUP race.

Reply
Created by DavidJohn > 9 months ago, 11 Feb 2008
DavidJohn
VIC, 17508 posts
11 Feb 2008 10:55PM
Thumbs Up

Yesterday in Melbourne we had our very first SUP comp...It was a SUP race.

The local windsurfing/kitesurfing/snowboarding/and now SUP shop put on the event..It's called SHQ (sailboard headquarters).

It's Melbourne biggest surf shop..imo..and good on them for getting behind this new sport.





SHQ have a great set up with the main shop on the hwy and a kiosk type clubhouse down on the nearby beach.

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Downstairs cafe/kiosk..upstairs a sort of clubroom and telly (maybe even watch the cricket if you're into that..

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I had no idea what the turn up was going to be like because although I never see anyone also doing it myself I knew they were out there somewhere..and I guess we had between 15-20 enter the event.

There was everything from old windsurfers to new C4 boards.



Down on the beach Mike (the shop owner) told us all the rules for the race...Basicly..'no cheating' and have fun..





The idea was to put you board on the sand next to the water..and walk back about 100 yards/meters to the edge of the sand and when he says "go"..you run to your board and paddle like hell..

The beaches in Melbourne are only bay beaches..so there's no real swell..just wind swell..and the wind was picking up..Bugger!!..and it's a head wind..Double bugger!!..

We had to paddle around a yellow pole about two hundred yards/meters out from the shore..and head to the point in the far distance..round another similar yellow pole..and then race back...Sounds easy.

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We're off and racing..I think I'm still on the sand jogging to my board..I wasn't keen to run...Saving energy was my plan.

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By the time I got my board in the water..rinsed out the shells etc out of my crocs..and got going they were almost all already around the yellow pole..I thought "I'll catch em"

I got into a nice rhythm and decided to head out wide as the main pack kept closer to the shore..and I was catching..slowly..and passing some..slowly...I could see the first three up ahead and was aiming at getting on the tail of third..I paddled hard...but...they must have been paddling harder..I was loosing ground on third...I tried paddling harder but started to get cramp type pain in my upper stomic..It was either my 50yr old abs begging for mercy..or the greasy McDonalds that I had for breakie.

I had to back off...but I was getting closer to the rounding pole and two guys on my left were racing to beat me around it...We were heading for a collision..I backed off and let them through..The guy in front of the two fell in and slowed them up...I tried not to laugh out loud..but couldn't help grinning from ear to ear.

I heard behind me the guy that fell in..says to his mate.."That was nice and cool..You should try it"..I thought yeah right.....but to my surprise the two were back on my tail..and gaining..It was about the 40 minute mark and I was feeling like I was going to die..I've race Mt bikes and it was like riding up a big hill and you know you will go into the red if you don't back off.

I decide to back off slightly and the two behind passed me...I thought I would just have to go into survival mode..The stomach pain was passing..but my mouth was so dry..The sun was burning on my face (even with glasses and peak) and I had a sweat drip on the end of my nose and chin..I pushed on.

I was almost at the rounding pole to head back to the beach and this guy in red shorts came from nowhere to pass me..I thought "no you don't"..and dug deap..I got a better line around the pole..and beat him to the beach...I felt like a winner..I asked someone.."did I win?"..just kidding.

I'm not sure where I finished..about seventh I think..I knew I had done my best so I was a happy-chappy.

Matt had won...and good on him I thought.



Big Dave (the C4 man) was second.

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Wes (Aussie Laird) was third.



This is me..and feeling like a winner..



After the race it was time for the kids to have some fun.



Next it was back to the barbie (BBQ)



Mmmmm!!!



Time to relax.



Matt was the deserving winner.





Mike said there was ten prizes to give out so the top ten would go into a lucky draw.





There was smiles all round as prizes were given out..some guys got paddles..some got board bags, deck grip...heaps of great stuff...Not bad for a ten dollar entry fee.



I even finished in the top ten and got a great prize...Waa-Hoo!



I was asked to give a small talk about SUP'ing...I though "here's the blind leading the blind"....That's me in the grey shirt...It all went well...Wes (Aussie Laird) gave a talk about SUP'ing in the waves.



All in all it was a great day..We all had fun..It was perfect weather..and I can't wait for the next one.

DJ

Ben dover
QLD, 504 posts
11 Feb 2008 10:16PM
Thumbs Up

Wat prize u get?

kitesurfbali
WA, 531 posts
11 Feb 2008 9:39PM
Thumbs Up

Ciao David,
great review of the comp!!!
I see that the Kalama got 1st and 3rd.
I also see the Bonga there.... And my beloved Mistral...
I wish I was there to try them all.
Bye Jankie

DavidJohn
VIC, 17508 posts
12 Feb 2008 12:05AM
Thumbs Up

Ben dover said...

Wat prize u get?

I won a new Naish carbon fiber paddle...So new they are not yet available..So I have a rain cheque..

DJ

Greenroom
WA, 7608 posts
11 Feb 2008 10:58PM
Thumbs Up

Nice one DJ
In that last photo I notice there is a paddle bag on the board next to you.
Where can I get one?
Thanks

DavidJohn
VIC, 17508 posts
12 Feb 2008 5:17AM
Thumbs Up

Greenroom said...

Nice one DJ
In that last photo I notice there is a paddle bag on the board next to you.
Where can I get one?
Thanks

Thanks...and about the paddle bag..This is your best and cheapest option..imo... http://standuppaddlesurf.com.au/content/blogcategory/22/60/ ..My mate just got one and they're great.

DJ

Bubbaganoosh
NSW, 10 posts
12 Feb 2008 11:42PM
Thumbs Up

Hey David,

That looks like so much fun (although sounds exhausting). You dont know of any thing like this in NSW? (im in wollongong)? Out of interest were there any woman competing? I'd be interested to hear any of their comments on SUP.

I have been out a few more times and feeling better and better on the flat water. Much better with balance and foot placement and coping with the wind after your tips. I have stepped back half a foot and feel so much more comfortable and in control. I feel my board speed has also picked up.. more of a gliding motion rather than a pushing motion through the water. Anyway.. im about to attempt getting out into some swell and see how i go with balance there.... then TO CONQUER THE SMALL WAVES!!

DavidJohn
VIC, 17508 posts
13 Feb 2008 1:44AM
Thumbs Up

It was great..and exhausting....but you quickly forget about the hard part because there were so many good parts.

They're sure to do something like this up your way one day..maybe in Sydney.

No..There were no women..I should have dragged my daughter along..She would have been the top finishing woman....but then she could not have done it.

My daughter could make it around the first yellow pole and then back to the beach..That would be it.

I know there's women out there doing it...I'm sure next time they will be there..You should have come down and gone in ours..It's a heck of a drive tho.

Good luck in the waves..You're gunna love it..Try not to trip on your leg rope....and let us know how you went.

From what I've seen most women are better than the guys when learning..They seem to have better balance.

It's great that you're out there having a go.

DJ

Greenroom
WA, 7608 posts
13 Feb 2008 12:36AM
Thumbs Up

DavidJohn said...

Greenroom said...

Nice one DJ
In that last photo I notice there is a paddle bag on the board next to you.
Where can I get one?
Thanks

Thanks...and about the paddle bag..This is your best and cheapest option..imo... http://standuppaddlesurf.com.au/content/blogcategory/22/60/ ..My mate just got one and they're great.

DJ



Hey thanks. I have emailed them asking if the paddle bag they sell fits the Starboard carbon paddle. If so I will get it
You also mentioned it being the best and cheapest option... are there any others?

DavidJohn
VIC, 17508 posts
13 Feb 2008 1:08PM
Thumbs Up

I'm not sure if there are many other options.

The one shown is the Kalama paddle..It comes with a bag..and many others come with a bag..I'm not sure if the bag is available separate.

You could order a C4 paddle bag but I've heard they're very pricey.

Just check that the standuppaddlesurf bag is long enough for your paddle before buying.

My mates is long enough..but only just..I'm sure it will be ok.

DJ

champcrow
SA, 804 posts
13 Feb 2008 9:20PM
Thumbs Up

Hey DJ,

once again great pic's mate looked like loads of fun, ive only just seen the photos

as i have been in Hobart for a week for work, you lucky bugger scoring the new

naish carbon paddle great prizes for a first time contest.

cheers

DavidJohn
VIC, 17508 posts
19 Feb 2008 7:28PM
Thumbs Up

Here's a couple of pics of my new CF Naish paddle that I won.

Used it today..It works great......and it came with a nice paddle bag to carry it.

DJ



champcrow
SA, 804 posts
20 Feb 2008 4:18PM
Thumbs Up

Hey DJ,

Cool paddle mate, did you have to cut it to size or is it 82 inches like the aliminium

paddle? Is it as good as others you have tried?

cheers

DavidJohn
VIC, 17508 posts
21 Feb 2008 2:57AM
Thumbs Up

I think it's 84"..a couple of inches longer than your Naish alloy paddle..but still a few inches shorter than my old paddle.

I thought about extending it a couple of inches but then it would not fit in the bag..It's a tight fit..So left it.

It should be a good length for use in the waves.

Because there is no real dihedral in the face of the blade I thought it would flutter a bit..But it didn't..It felt really real good.

It maybe not quite as light as the C4 or Werner but still very light..The texture on the handle felt good..The C4 is very smooth.

I think it may even be the GSI (Global Surf Industry) paddle with Naish logo's.. http://standuppaddlesurf.com.au/content/view/107/56/

It looks the same.

DJ



champcrow
SA, 804 posts
21 Feb 2008 12:35PM
Thumbs Up

Hey DJ,

HAve you heard what price these paddle are selling for?

WINDSURFnSNOW
NSW, 1612 posts
Site Sponsor
21 Feb 2008 1:39PM
Thumbs Up

$349 including bag.

DavidJohn
VIC, 17508 posts
21 Feb 2008 3:44PM
Thumbs Up

WINDSURFnSNOW said...

$349 including bag.


Thanks..That's a pretty good price for a carbon fiber paddle..and paddle bag.

DJ

champcrow
SA, 804 posts
21 Feb 2008 4:21PM
Thumbs Up

Thanks.....im interested



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"Melbourne's first SUP race." started by DavidJohn