CMC said..

What happened to the excel race format? I have no desire or ability for Aussie team selection or need to paddle 17km. However I am under 40 so there is no division for me to paddle.

Seems strange that one of the biggest races on the calendar has been rearranged to only be a 17km marathon. Last year I would estimate the numbers were 70% short course, this year that race has been chopped, no extra work same start and finish line???

Very good point there CMC and i was surprised that the 8km has almost been gotten rid off? Last year was great, and no problems with adding the state selection to the existing event. Seems a pity to lose the 'fun' divisions in an established and very well supported event, which had run successfully for a number of years before it became the state title. No open age 8km sup divisions for the men or women cuts out a lot of potential competitors who might not feel up to paddling the marathon and are not interested in team selection. From memory this event had always had a reasonable following for prone paddlers too and usually some young clubbies having a go at some longer distance paddling - looks like they only have the 17km option this year too?


Might be a stupid question, but wasn't the whole reason for half the marathon being a flatwater paddle in the creek, so the finish line could coincide with the finish of the 8km race? If they're almost getting rid of the 8km option (with only a couple of exceptions) why not make the marathon a complete ocean course and finish at Kurrawa or something like that? (The few shorter divisions could start at Currumbin?)

Ali Cat said..

CMC said..

What happened to the excel race format? I have no desire or ability for Aussie team selection or need to paddle 17km. However I am under 40 so there is no division for me to paddle.

Seems strange that one of the biggest races on the calendar has been rearranged to only be a 17km marathon. Last year I would estimate the numbers were 70% short course, this year that race has been chopped, no extra work same start and finish line???

Very good point there CMC and i was surprised that the 8km has almost been gotten rid off? Last year was great, and no problems with adding the state selection to the existing event. Seems a pity to lose the 'fun' divisions in an established and very well supported event, which had run successfully for a number of years before it became the state title. No open age 8km sup divisions for the men or women cuts out a lot of potential competitors who might not feel up to paddling the marathon and are not interested in team selection. From memory this event had always had a reasonable following for prone paddlers too and usually some young clubbies having a go at some longer distance paddling - looks like they only have the 17km option this year too?


Might be a stupid question, but wasn't the whole reason for half the marathon being a flatwater paddle in the creek, so the finish line could coincide with the finish of the 8km race? If they're almost getting rid of the 8km option (with only a couple of exceptions) why not make the marathon a complete ocean course and finish at Kurrawa or something like that? (The few shorter divisions could start at Currumbin?)

Exactly, not sure of the logic. Anyway, I will still come down and cheer the winners across the line, will just be rugged up and without my $65 T-shirt.

Ali Cat said..

CMC said..
Exactly, not sure of the logic. Anyway, I will still come down and cheer the winners across the line, will just be rugged up and without my $65 T-shirt.

I'll be there with you watching them finish!

No racing for you Ali?

Yes will be interesting to see the final numbers........ I am open and have an Unlimited Sup , so I guess I'm out too.
They have also dropped the Outrigger Division which they have had for the last 5 years or so??
Rowdy

ChrisMcC said..

Yeah might be time for Surfing Qld to clarify what the go is for Saturday as looking at it, looks like there is just the unlimited class for the 8 klm and you have to be over 40 . Also what is with the have to be surfing queensland member for all of the events.

is that true. i was going to do the short course. however i'm not paying a $115 dollars all up to paddle 8 km's.
looking at the sq site that's the way it reads. i would imagine i'm not the only one baulking at that cost for one race for the year.

it's a shame because its usually a great race day

Why are you blokes not watching Queensland play NSW

I'm really suprised that you Qlders don't get dizzy - what, with the workd constantly revolving around you ?

Enough about the racing , who is surfing ? or don't you blokes who race surf anymore........

JonesySUP said..

2013 Immerse SUP & Paddle Festival
Get your entries in now and get your chance to win!
Surfing Queensland is excited to announce that Hawaiian Airlines are a support sponsor of the 2013 Immerse SUP & Paddle Festival. Hawaiian Airlines have kindly provided 2 x return flights from Australia to Honolulu and have waived baggage fees for up to two standard bags.

For your chance to win, simply enter the Immerse SUP & Paddle Festival via www.surfingqueensland.com

Reminder to everyone that online entries close today. The surfingqueensland website still says closing date is friday, but the latest email I received yesterday says "PLEASE NOTE..Entries Close Thursday the 6th at 2pm for the Immerse SUP & Paddle Festival - Marathon Racing"

So if you want to surf or race (and be in with a chance to win the flights to Hawaii) make sure you don't leave it too late.
They are saying there will be very limited opportunities for on the day entry even for the ocean race this year, so make sure you get in today if youre planning to enter and don't want to miss out!

After contacting surfing Qld this morning to remind them this race was built around Snapper to Currumbin 8km, an ocean challenge for beginners and a competitive distance for the majority which is all about participation and that the 17km should only be for a minority that want to qualify for the state team. They have responded by opening two more categories for the traditional 8km open men's and open women's 14' and under

KellyM said..

After contacting surfing Qld this morning to remind them this race was built around Snapper to Currumbin 8km, an ocean challenge for beginners and a competitive distance for the majority which is all about participation and that the 17km should only be for a minority that want to qualify for the state team. They have responded by opening two more categories for the traditional 8km open men's and open women's 14' and under

Thats great stuff Kelly! Hopefully the numbers will be there to support this!!!

KellyM said..

After contacting surfing Qld this morning to remind them this race was built around Snapper to Currumbin 8km, an ocean challenge for beginners and a competitive distance for the majority which is all about participation and that the 17km should only be for a minority that want to qualify for the state team. They have responded by opening two more categories for the traditional 8km open men's and open women's 14' and under

Thanks mate. Entered and Frothing!!! The forecast looks unreal! It's one of those days you would have paddled anyway this makes it easier to get a ride!!

Mollzy said..

I just called Surfing QLD then and asked whether we had to be members even though my race entry still went through?

and she said they aren't very strict with the membership since it is so expensive
Good luck to everyone racing looks like Saturday has some wind!!

Molly

What kind of ship are these guys running!Maybee they will re imburse me the extra i had to pay for SQ membership then.Beacause i was told something very different. Do they actually get or take advice from the sup community or clubs?Sorry SQ not good enoughBut hey i still want to be apart of it , so i paid and $165 for 3 events is good no complaints there.Just be a bit clearer and try deliver what the sup community wantsAnd i better get my free book as promised

KellyM said..

After contacting surfing Qld this morning to remind them this race was built around Snapper to Currumbin 8km, an ocean challenge for beginners and a competitive distance for the majority which is all about participation and that the 17km should only be for a minority that want to qualify for the state team. They have responded by opening two more categories for the traditional 8km open men's and open women's 14' and under

You beauty , i was going to try paddle the 17k but now I dont have too , im feeling much better about the whole thingGood Work.

RJK said..

Anyone else as amped as me for the dw tomorrow????

Yew!!!!

cant wait!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, will be a great day, do a downwind paddle, crack a beer and then watch the poor souls that had to paddle up the creek and back finish.

The long distance will be interesting actually as any South Wind has a habit of funnelling down Currumbin Valley and becoming a stiff headwind the whole way up to Wendts coupled with the outgoing tide as well it will test the fitness of the paddlers. On the way back will be fast though with the wind and tide with you. Lets see who makes the right board choices for a race with a bumpy ocean and a slow and sticky creek.