OK - first thing. This is not a Harbour Race. For many years it has finished at Manly Wharf so, hence the name but this year it will be finishing at Manly Surf Club. If the wind blows southerly it will start and finish at Manly surf club (we will be able to set a a sheltered circuit course). At this point it is looking like a sweet paddle down the coast with a North wind.

For all the details on the race go to: http://online.oceanseries.com.au/

Note that we have a shortened course for the SUPs (around 9km). The start is at Fishermans Beach - just a little south of Collaroy.

You will need to register at Mona Vale. The aim is to start the race at 2PM. For those who did the last race we will more or less be doing the same thing for this race.

Except for the first 1km paddle to get round Long Reef it is straight downwind with the NE. This is a great course if you are new to the sport and want a relatively easy race to start with. However, at times you will probably be up to 2km offshore so make sure you have a leash and wear a PFD.

Let me know if you have any questions...cheers, Dave

BTW - you need to do 3 races (including the 20 Beaches - 25km ) to be in the hunt for the series pointscore and the major prize draw. There were quite a few first timers at the last race so make sure you do this one if you are planning to do the 20Bs. Odds are looking pretty good.

The Northern Beaches boys are going to love this one.

It is in there own backyard so can't see any journeyman beating them (OK, there's a challenge).

The course and arrangements are different to the skis so here is some info that you need to know:

Course Direction: this is usually determined the night before the race, but they may even leave it until the morning. Go to website to get direction or just txt me (0403 260 200) - but it should be pretty obvious (hopefully).

Rego: Either Station Beach (Palm Beach on Pittwater side) or Narrabeen Surf Club (or this could be Fishermans if surf too big).

Start for SUPs: Either North Avalon if wind is NE or Mona Value Basin if Southerly. This should make the course around 12km either way. But remember, you have to checkin at Station Beach or Narra first.

Online registration closes on Thursday midnight, on the day registrations will be taken but incur a $10 surcharge.

If you are going to do the 20 Beaches I strongly suggest you do this race and the next one as that will basically get you familiar with the whole 20 Beaches course

Here is a bit of an update so you can decide if you want to take up the challenge.

Course:
After much deliberation, it has been decided that the SUPs will do the full 25km course and not a shortened version. Overwhelmingly, everyone I have spoken to, who has competed in the events so far, are in favour of doing the full course. So it is going to be a "challenge". At this stage the SUPs will start 30mins earlier than the skis, at 2.30PM, so it is likely there should be a decent bit of wind assistance. However, we reserve the right the change the course due to safety issues (or just common sense).

Qualifying criteria:
We have decided to have "unofficial" qualifying criteria for the race as we do not want novice paddlers turning up on the day to "have a go". The criteria is simple. You have completed 2 10km ocean races in the last 12 months. The easiest way to meet this criteria is compete in the last 2 Oceanseries events at Narrabeen and Manly. Although we want good numbers for the race, we do not want inexperienced paddlers competing. If you are inexperienced, it might be better getting another year of Friday night Twilight races under the belt before having a go at this one. IF UNSURE ABOUT THIS PM OR CALL ME (0403 260 200).

Series Prizes:
We take your best 3 scores from the 6 races. The 20 Beaches is double points so you would need to count this to win.
The prizes are airtickets to do the Doctor in Perth on Jan 21, 2012.
Categories are 12'6, Unlimited and girls.
We have just added an airticket for the girls. We have only had 3 different girls (all from outside Sydney) compete in the series so far (thanks Ali for flying down to the last race) but the quality is high and we are hoping to encourage the girls to compete at the 20 Beaches for this prize.

Series Draw:
Airticket to do the Doctor and a Starboard Race 12'6 to do it on.
You need to have done 3 races in the series to be eligible. Pretty good odds on this one.
Additionally, their will be further prize draws provided by WindsurfnSnow.

Prizemoney:
Apart from the the generous product contribution Starboard have made, they have made it possible to offer prizemoney on this years 20 Beaches.
Total prizemoney is $2,500 and will be split as follows:
12'6:
$1,000 ($600, $300, $100)
Unlimited:
$1,000 ($600, $300, $100)
Girls:
$500 ($300, $150, $50)

MORE DETAILS AT: http://online.oceanseries.com.au/pages/oceanseries-events/20-beaches.php

Has anyone paddled a SUP between Bondi and North Head?

None that I know of. I have paddled ocean skis through this area and it is special. Shear 50 metre cliffs dropping into crystal clear water.

The bumps are really fun through this water. Lots of little A-frames due to the bounce of the cliffs.

The Bondi clubbies put on a good show with this race. The "after party" at the Watsons Bay Hotel is particularly good. In the past they have usually provided complimentary Fish and chips with a beer voucher to wash it down.

For details, go to: http://online.oceanseries.com.au/pages/oceanseries-events/bondi-to-watsons-bay.php

The forecast is showing great weather with a light southerly which is perfect for this course. However, they will reverse the course if the wind is north.

Remember, PFDs are compulsory. See Sam at WSS or Dean at Oceanpaddler if you need one.

Let me know if you need a lift over from the Northern Beaches and we will try to co-ordinate transport.

Quick points update:
Unlimited: Sam and Andy are equal at the top, with Pete Myer closing.
12'6: Stevie followed by Dave and newcomer Brad Gall.
Women: Terrene Black leads Lanee Beashel (yes, she is a good sailor). Terrene will consolidate her lead this weekend as Lanee puts herself through some Hawksberry Classic Hell