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This Morning saw the second running of The Zu Boardsports 'Spirit of the Zu' - a 12km flatwater race at St Kilda Beach in Vic. The race also kicked off the Victorian Flat Water SUP Championship Series run by SUP VIC in association with Surfing Victoria.

Well, the conditions may not have been exactly 'flat-water', and a persistent 10-14kn on-shore breeze challenged even the toughest of competitors, but we still saw 41 competitors line up for the paddle from the front of The Zu up to the Spirit Of Tasmania (or just short of - The Port Melbourne Lifesaving Club) and back (6km)... TWICE for many.

15 Paddlers completed the whole 12kms, with a further 17 competitors opting to do the half-distance, single 6km lap.

All paddlers who completed the entire 12kms earned points towards the Victorian Flat Water SUP Championship Series 2012-13.

Brief Results:

Mens Open (14' max)
1st - Luke French
2nd - Cam Hosking
3rd - Chris Clarke

Women's Open (12'6)
1st - Jean Ringrose
2nd - Emma Morris
3rd - Lucy Bell

Men's Master's (14' max)
1st - Michael Jenkins
2nd - Dean Elcoat
3rd - Andrew Hocking

Women's Masters (12'6)
1st - Kathy Naoumidis

Men's 12'6
1st - David Sprague

Junior Male
1st - Jono Kale

Junior Female
1st - Kristi Page

6km Half Race
1st - Jon Sheard
2nd - Nick Moloney
3rd - Derek O'Neil

Due to the conditions & the toughness of the main race, the inaugural Sprint Race was not run, and will be carried over to the next race in the series, The Great Melbourne Paddle, on December 2nd at Sandridge Beach, Port Melbourne.

Thanks to Paul Nederhoed at The Zu and his staff for putting on a great day and providing prizes, to the South Melbourne Surf Lifesaving Club for providing three IRB safety boats and crew, and to the SUP VIC crew who helped set up and run the day.

Full Results & pictures will be up shortly at www.supvic.com