RPS/Starboard Race 3 Results and Overall Series WinnersThe BOM's forecast held true for a change and we were treated to a perfect calm, warm Melbourne Autumn day for the final race in our series.
Despite being held in the middle of the school holidays, a field of almost 50 paddlers descended on Half Moon Bay to race in the 1 Hour format. Registration and sign up was done in the very civil surroundings in front of the Beach House Cafe, with competitors taking advantage of being able to have a pre-race fuel up of coffee and bacon & egg rolls.
Next it was onto the briefing and letting everyone know how dizzy they were going to get, paddling around the 800m course that had been set.
The competitors then assembled their boards on the beach ready for a water start. With so many crew and boards, finding space on the sand was hard.
Race day at HMB also coincided with the 140 year celebration of the launching of the HMVS Cerberus. "The Friends of the Cerberus" had a fantastic display on the day as well as.......firearms and a cannon!!
With some careful negotiation and split second timing, we arranged to have a musket volley to start the race and the firing of the 20 pounder to mark the finish of the race! What a grand way to announce the start/finish. Beats using the $20 gas hooter from Rebel Sport.
The start gun went off [ literally! ] and after the start line jostling, the racers bolted for the first turn mark. Bren/RPS took an early lead, but it didn't take Cam Hosking long to hit the front and gradually wear down the people on his tail.
Paul Nottage and Tony Bond put in their usual strong performances.
Emma Morris and Lisa Spain were involved in an epic 1 hr battle and not far behind them were Felicity Frederico, Kirsty Hunt and Jean Ringrose. A very strong ladies field and that's not even mentioning Rea!
One of the great things about short course racing is everyone gets to paddle together and it's not just a case of the elite guys and girls bolting into the distance and finishing 3kms ahead of the main field. The elite encourage the rest, whilst the rest get to see how the good guys do it.
The 12'6" category is always well contested and James Toth had Jamie " Diesel Donkey" Foster not far behind him for the entire race. Amazingly Jonathon Cowcher despite towing Noah Hunt around parts of the course, still managed 2nd.
In the juniors, Jono Kale kept his head down and paddled hard for the hour, whilst Taylor Jenkins pulled out a comfortable lead on his JM 12'6".
The amount of kids competing was staggering with the Frederico's, Hunt's, Slator's and Kale's all taking to the water and completing the full hour! The ages started from 7yrs upwards, so a real credit to the parents for encouraging their kids to get amongst it.
Whilst we're on the subject of age, a 50's and over category was added for Race 2 and funnily enough, this section is growing and the stamina of the guys like Michael J, Roscoe, DJ, Tony and Jonathon C is pretty impressive. I guess people that age have more time to train now they have the kids off their hands. I also heard that MJ doesn't mind a nanna nap post race!
The cannon blast signalled the end of the race and lot's of satisfied, but weary paddlers made their way back to shore or just enjoyed sitting on their boards for a few moments then having a dip. But DJ was still buzzing around taking Go Pro video and photos.
Now for the Race 3 Results.Open Mens1/ Cam Hosking / Naish Jav 14
2/Paul Nottage/ Sic 16
3/Tony Bond/Penetrator 16
Open Womens1/Rea Haare/Naish 14
Men's 12'6"1/James Toth/Starboard
2/Jonathon Cowcher/Starboard
3/Jamie Foster/Starboard
Womens 12'6" Sport1/Emma Morris/Hobie 12'6"
2/Lisa Spain/Naish 12
3/Jean Ringrose/Starboard 12
Juniors1/Taylor Jenkins/J Mitchell
2/Jono Kale/Naish
Final Series Results/Overall Division WinnersOpen Men's 1/Cam Hosking/Naish
2/Paul Nottage/SIC
3/Tony Bond/Penetrator
Open Women's 1/Rea Haare/Naish
Men's 12'6"1/James Toth/Starboard
2/Jamie Foster/Naish
3/Jonathon Cowcher/Starboard
Ladies 12'6" Sport 1/Jaselyn O'Sullivan/Starboard
2/Jean Ringrose/Starboard
Juniors1/Jono Kale/Naish
2/Will Slator/Naish
Over 50's1/Tony Bond/Penetrator 16
2/Michael Jenkins/Naish & JM
The most improved paddler for the series was Jaselyn O'Sullivan and she was the super-stoked recipient of the Starboard 9'8" 2011 SUP! Well done Jase
Thanks to our generous sponsorsStarboard
Flying Objects
Kahuna Street SUP
SPT
Ocean & Earth
Rhythm Boardshorts
FCS
Billabong
Anon
Monster Energy.
Also to Half Moon Bay SLSC for letting us use the buoys for course setting and the clubhouse for the presentation.
Beach House Cafe / Half Moon Bay for allowing us to set up the rego tent and trailer out front and the food.
Joel and Bernie Ryan for manning the rescue ski.
.. Thanks to Starboard and RPS for giving away a new board to the best 'up and comer'.. 
