This just in...

Throw your support behind Starboard SUP Australia team riders Michelle England and Cameron McKay as they undertake the mammoth challenge of completing the Annual Hawkesbury Classic. Traversing a section of the Hawkesbury River on the outskirts of Sydney Michelle and Cam will paddle through the night to complete the massive 111km course.

The Hawkesbury Canoe Classic is a fun paddle with a serious purpose. Running since 1977 and made possible by volunteers the Classic has raised more than $4,000,000 for medical research. The major beneficiary for this years event will be the Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation.

Dig deep, donate and go into the running for one of three Starboard apparel packs valued at $150.

Sponsor them collectively via Starboard SUP Australia Facebook page
www.facebook.com/StarboardSupAustralia/app_218140784873215 , or individually at canoeclassic.asn.au/my/races/donate?eid=437



Read more about the Hawkesbury event here .. over $130k raised so far...

www.canoeclassic.net/

Finally - the first downwinder of the series. For this particular course, a southerly is better than a northerly. The SUP course is modified to reduce the distance to about 11km. The final paddle around South Head to Watsons Bay is inner harbour beaches. Probably better to keep your eyes front past some of these secluded spots
The pointscore (best 3 races with 20Bs being double points) is looking interesting at this early stage:
Open - Steve and Sam are in front. Sam is looking to unveil his secret weapon this weekend...hint...it is yellow....
Girls - Neelie leads but can she stay on the Ace in the tricky water along the cliffs.
o40s - Steve Floyd and Stu Murray will be the ones to watch. But look out for Will Anido (and Casso) who I expect will be making their debuts this Saturday.
o50s - Race 1 winner, Goaty, has his sights firmly fixed on the Doctor in January. He will be hard to beat if the wind gets up.
There is a little bit of admin involved in this race - as with any downwinder, so try and buddy up to work it out...