Thanks to everyone that came along to make this an Awesome Day. Congratulations to all the winners.
Mark it in your diary for next year.

Amazing day at the river. Happy kids, sleeping like babies.



A great time had by all, thanks to everyone that made it an excellent event.
Book me and the boys in for next year.

moretrouble said...

A bit disappointed, the event could have been organized better. I arrived at 7.15 after over an hour drive. I cant really see the point of sitting around for 10 hours for a 20 min race, oh but depending on who you are you can arrive at 11.30 and register ( 3 people ) and even pay and enter on the day. Stick around till 5pm to maybe claim a prize, no thanks ( no show no prize ) I shall not return.

JasonProsser said...

JBFletch said...

Just checking.
Do we really need to be at the 730 rego if our race isnt until 1215??

Conditions look good cheers

7.30 is registration for all races.
You got it easy, those of us setting up will be there for 5.00, just so there is somewhere for you to register at 7.30.

I'm sure the guys will take any comments on board for next year and obviously the closing date prior to race day and early check in are issues for them to look at.

I also saw something similar to what you witnessed however we don't know the full story and there's always another side to it so we shouldn't assume the worst.

Last year, the 14's (main event) were up early with the family events in the afternoon which gave the 'competitors' the chance to race and be out of there before lunch and the families the chance to stick around into the afternoon with demos and the like in the arvo too....it worked.

Mind you, it's easy to comment from the sidelines and these guys put a ****load of effort into it so we should be thankful either way.

I started a separate post with some photos I took yesterday at;

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/CSSUPC-Naish-River-Race-Video-Images/

NB; I'm not affiliated with the club other than sharing the same local area.

I have been following this thread since it started and I see the same old dramas coming through when it comes to competition.
The club needs to know numbers for numerous reasons, T-Shirts, catering, number of heats etc etc.
Some entrants can commit early and do so. Others have late cancelations of family events or other fixtures and want to enter late, they can't do so in this case as there was a cut-off. Then of course there is the 7.30 registration for an event not held till 3.00pm. Wow what a mine field, trying to please everybody all the time.
As a past Mal Club president and Contest Director I understand the organisers issues. As a once competitor I can understand that some people don't want to travel for an hour to register at 7.30 and then have to wait around till 3.00pm to race.
The bottom line is that if there are regulations put in place by the Organising Club then an entrant must abide by these regulations. These are the conditions under which the event is to be held.
However, we then get the age old "mates entries", (if it happened), someone who knows someone rocks up at 2.00 for a race at 3.00, pays his entry fee, registers and is in.
The problem here is that people who wanted to compete were stopped by the regulations where as someone who was "famous" or "knew someone" is able to compete. That is of course if the "allegation" took place.
The simple answer is that the organisers must stick to thier regulations regardless of "who" may want in. The competitors must abide by the regulations as part of thier entry conditions. If you don't like it don't go.
The bottom line is have "respect" for others, drop the "famous" friends crap and treat everyone the same.
Oh and go for a surf and enjoy your self.

It was first time for me also. I enjoyed the day and got some great advice from great paddlers. I also thank the organisers and sponsors for the day.
However, I too observed several people turning up at all times and registering and paying.
When you dont know anyone and are new to the sport etc the last thing you are gonna do is front an organiser and have a whinge.
So for a 30 minute race (lot longer for me) I was up at 6am, got there around 7:30am and sat around until my race at 2:15. Its a long day when your nervous
I also couldnt hang around for the after race activities at the RSL due to family commitments.
If the rules were for "no entries on the day" and enforced then there would be no bad feelings. Especially when I wasnt the only person to witness this.
Also Im sure you couldve got another 10 entries or maybe more from the north side if they were allowed to "drop in" and enter.
Anyway, it was big learning experience, I got a bit out of it but I think you should have a rethink on the rules and regs for next year.
Cheers.

JBFletch said...

ka43 said...


keep an eye on sea breeze, there will be more semi social events coming up in the cronulla area.

good work.

there will be????

Hope everyone had a great day yesterday! I know I did! It was great to catch up with a lot of people, and meet a whole bunch of new faces.

Being one of the committe members for the Cronulla Sutherland SUP Club Inc, I can assure you that all of your feedback is being taken onboard. But in saying that no matter what is planned, we can't always please everyone, but we will work hard to try do it.

When we were organising the time table, the Blast Summer Series had organised their final race on the same day (in the morning), we decided at that point to move the big races (12'6, 14 and sup lemans) to the end of the day to allow people to compete in both the blast race and our event. After we had published out timetable, the blast series had moved to next week.

In the coming days/weeks we will be announcing the date for next years River Race for everyone to put in their calenders, we look forward to and even bigger and better event next year! Look forward to seeing you all down on the Woronora River again! If you are local to the area, the Cronulla Sutherland SUP Club Inc has a club round on the last sunday of each month, rounds alternate between Surf Contests and Flat Water races.

Yeah Greg, that was me
Never paddled behind a Manly Ferry but I reckon the wash from the 17 paddlers in front of me at the start would come close!! talk about a cork on the ocean!!
I think I was still in windsurf slalom racing mode waiting for the count down to the hooter (trying to hit the line at pace) but realised it was bang and go. No idea.
As I said, a complete new experience for me but its all a learning curve.
Nice chatting to you on the run round the bend Greg

Casso said...

So, anyway ... what were the results? Who won the big raffle prizes? Anybody get some video?

Ha, I thought the same thing this afternoon !

Who won what ?

I am a first timer when it comes to SUP-ing, ive had my board for three weeks and had a ball on the day, big thanks to the guys for putting this on, I had fun. Great weather and good to be out on the water. Keen for the next shire surf comp!


here is a pic I took before the handicap race

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Uploaded with [URL=imageshack.us]ImageShack.us[/URL]

lookToSea said...

Lots of photos are up online at

www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.360089104028256.75427.139225079447994&type=1

Dane Hurst won both the 14 and SUP Lemans race,
Josh Fletcher won the 12'6 race,
Peter and Courtney won the Family Race
Mark Mitchell won the unlimited board and non race board races.
Mel McManus won the 12'6 and 14 womens races.

will find out the other results/places and post soon.

Thanks Dan, non FB'ers ?

Are you loading onto your blog ?

Cheers, Chris.

ShireSUP said...

supanimal said...

Casso said...

So, anyway ... what were the results? Who won the big raffle prizes? Anybody get some video?

Ha, I thought the same thing this afternoon !

Who won what ?

So the big raffle prize went to a 1 yo.............something to grow into funniest thing ever!
And the quickblade went to a lady from NZ, Gemma whom wanted to know where to SUP in Sydney........not bad, not sure how you get it home.

There were no prizes for last, Steve didnt even buy me the beer we bet

Was a hard fought last place that one Greg. I may have a nice timber spoon that you can have......Nice work behind the BBQ on the day mate.

supanimal said...

lookToSea said...

Lots of photos are up online at

www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.360089104028256.75427.139225079447994&type=1

Dane Hurst won both the 14 and SUP Lemans race,
Josh Fletcher won the 12'6 race,
Peter and Courtney won the Family Race
Mark Mitchell won the unlimited board and non race board races.
Mel McManus won the 12'6 and 14 womens races.

will find out the other results/places and post soon.

Thanks Dan, non FB'ers ?

Are you loading onto your blog ?

Cheers, Chris.

Hey Chris, will get them up on the blog when I have a chance to write up a bit of a story.

Facebook was the fastest means of getting photos out there.

Casso .. yes I am pretty sure she was 3rd after being drafted for most of the race by a loving husband who shall remain nameless. Great day was had by at least 99.9% of competitors

Greg Don't worry I will get you a cold beer. I don't forget my bets (up to a value of $10)

We really enjoyed our day at the Naish River Race. It was the first time we had ever had the opportunity to attend such an event. The venue on the Woronora river was an great spot with plenty of shade on a day when the weather was playing cricket. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxed. It was great fun to demo some boards and see kids also having a go at supping. My niece tried it for the first time and loved it so much it was hard to get her off the water. The event organizers worked hard through out the day to ensure everyone had a good time. It was a great effort on their part. Thanks to the sponsors for their contribution that made this such a fun event.