The Starboard Black Blade 2012 State SUP Sprint ChampionshipsA great day for the Starboard Black Blade. We had beautiful conditions at the Champion Lakes Regatta Centre, with virtually no wind for the 200m State sprints and a moderate tail wind for the 500m Battle of the Paddler.
A big turn out of Paddlers contesting the first ever WA State championships and first ever 200m Sprint Championships in the World outside the USA (on an Olympic rowing course). The distance created some exciting racing for spectators and the paddlers enjoyed the new format.
Results:
Female 12'6 Open State Sprint 200mGold - Michelle England
Silver - Lorrayne Grullis
Bronze - Anne Lockwood
Male 12'6 Open State Sprint 200mGold - Ben Tardrew
Silver - Cam McKay
Bronze - Gordon Stimson
Male 14' O/50 State Sprint 200mGold - Lach Simpson
Silver - Kent Wright
Bronze - Ian Grose
Male 14' O/40 State Sprint 200mGold - Scott Penwarn
Silver - Joe Fry
Bronze - Gordon Stimson
Male 14' Open State Sprint 200mGold - Peter Pridmore
Silver - Roger Goodwin
Bronze - Marcus Tardrew
The Battle of the Paddler is a world first event. The top 12 paddlers from the 14' division and the top 6 from the 12'6 qualified for this event. The paddlers were weighted and those under 80kg were designated on a 12'6 board, those greater or equal to 80kg were designated on a 14' board. Starboard provided 4 x 14' Ace Pro boards and 4 x 12'6 Ace Pro boards. There were 3 divisions:
Female 12'6
Male 12'6
Male 14'
The event was raced over 500m to give everyone a chance to get used the new boards. The weight division also lead to some interesting racing, challenging paddlers and creating new contests/battles. Paddlers loved the new event, with everyone appreciating being on a level playing field and the challenge of moving a different board.
Battle of the Paddler Female 12'61st - Michelle England
2nd - Lorrayne Grullis
3rd - Jade Lane
Battle of the Paddler Male 12'61st - Marcus Tardrew
2nd - Ben Tardrew
3rd - Jackson Shaw
Battle of the Paddler Male 14'1st - Peter Pridmore
2nd - Roger Goodwin
3rd - Gordon Stimson
Special thanks must go to Ian Grose from Starboard Australia who supported the concept from the start and assisted the event in developing it from a novelty race to a premier event that will be contested for years to come as part of our State Championships. Further thanks to Starboard and Stand Up Paddle Sports for sponsoring the Black Blade event with the Peter Dorries Coaching Clinic and their dedication to supporting SUP racing in WA.
Thanks to Canoeing WA and their volunteers for allowing us to participate in their sprint series and running the event for us. It was great to meet some new paddlers from other disciplines and see what it takes to run a sprint regatta at this level.
Extra special thanks must go to Jodi Earnshaw, Suze Thomas and Ashlea Hammil, who sacrificed their racing to fill in as volunteers. Thanks girls you were beyond awesome!

Thanks to the competitors for making the day and the ever solid SUPWA committee for always bogging in and getting the jobs done.
Well done everyone
Greg
*photos to come