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...

Looks like a southerly predicted for Saturday Dave looking the goods at the mOment !!!
Think I could make an appearance for this one thats thanks to sambo at wind surf and snow for demoing me a bullet !!!! I'm excited !!!

I'm going to miss this one Ali (but for legitimate reasons as opposed to last year!!)...see you at Narrabeen for Race #4.

Did the Bondi to Opera house paddle a few years and tears back, 2009 I think.

Agree with Kissa's comments on the course.

It has many challenges and is interesting ???

See photos of the memories here :))

You racing Stuey?
Just heard Will is a late scratching and is unlikely to make 3 races for the series.
That'll open up the 40s...

Dave Yep I am planning to be there.

I am looking forward to racing this course.

What are you racing on???

Once we start we gotta go all the way or go home with our tails between our legs :))

kissa said...

Suplove said...
What are you racing on???

Not sure. Trying to work out what conditions will be like. Stability will be rewarded though, so maybe SIC or WOW...

WOW ?? :)

16 brave souls took on the daunting Bondi to Watsons Bay Paddle today.
For something different, we had a beach start, and the surprise leader round Ben Buckler was Big Ben Brown, followed by Stuey Murray. Plenty of fast twitch fibre between those 2 . Pity it didn't last thought
Unfortunately, it wasn't freight traina downwind, but there was still plenty of other stuff to keep us interested - dolphins, sheer cliffs and sneaky boils waiting to catch the unwary.
As usual, there were plenty of battles. Stevie and myself went blow for blow the whole way around with Stevie getting the nod this time by about the same margin as last time - 7secs. Was good to see Fanatic get their first victory in the Oceanseries - Steve said it ran beautifully.
Ben Brown continued with his impressive form finishing in 3rd (sorry about the results page mate), while Banger Chamlmers edging out 40s leader and early pacesetter - Stuey.
Our O50s leader, Goaty, went ding dong with Neelie and with some fancy footwork around Sth Head cemented a winnning lead. Goaty paddled the new WOW dugout and seemed to have a smile on his face at the end.
Of course Neelie Brown won the womens race. She is going to be hard to beat on her Starby Ace.
Dan Cream (nee Cleary) was lamenting the lack or runners on the big SIC Bullet - but, now, at least has a ranking after his first finish for the season.
If your reading this, #7003 please send me a PM so i can update the results - again, sorry bout that.
See results at: http://online.oceanseries.com.au/media/pdf/Results/overallsups.pdf
Next race is the Narrabeen Downwinder with the one and only Kai Lenny making an appearance - hope the wind is nuking so we have a chance and can break out the Bullets (you never know - he might be tired from all those NISCO races).
Sorry bout the lack of photos for this one.
Potty Mullet was watching the race from the cliffs and took a few so hopefully he will post them.
Cheers
Dave

Sorry, missed a couple from the start showing the battle for positions.

Casso said...
Looks like a nice day but a bit too hard work for me.

Come on downwind conditions for Narrabeen!

You and John should have been there Casso
it was technically challenging with lumps and bumps from all directions
But yer no wind assistance, a good experience.
The scenery was amazing with the cliff faces, I think you get to look up a lot more when you fall off your board and have to look up to get back on

Sounds like an interesting race !

Thanks too for the images Potty Mullet