The Summer Series is an inclusive race for all paddlers, regardless of craft
Last weekend Team Fat Paddler took part in the 2nd race of the 2011 Summer Series at Rose Bay. This great Sydney-based series is different to many of the races out there – where else can you have a start line with elite ski paddlers chatting casually to SUP paddlers, kayakers on sit on top fishing kayaks and hefty fellas on outriggers? Its an event that defines what paddling is about – friendly folks competing for the class win on beautiful waterways and then sharing a sausage sandwich at the end with race organisers, sponsors and fellow paddlers.
Dez from Blast Paddlers giving the pre-race briefing, course details etc
Team Fat Paddler has enjoyed it’s involvement in this series and were excited to get another couple of podium places on the day. A huge thanks to Dez and the crew from Blast Paddlers for putting the series together as well as the brilliant involvement from sponsors including Carbonology, Stellar Kayaks, Prokayaks, SUP Love and Oz Standup who bring their boats/boards along on the day for people to try out. And of course ASN – Neutral Bay for the turbo-charged performance drinks at the start – haha!
Sexy boats to drool over and even test, especially the Stellar and Carbonology skis
We can’t wait for the next few races, and if you feel like taking part in a race event without the competitive pressures of other events, then this is the series for you. We’d love to see you out on the water (and at the bbq afterwards of course!). Cheers, FP
Rose Bay at 5.30am. A spectacular sunrise for the Summer Series Race 2
Team Fat Paddler’s Commander Alan lines up at the start of Race 2
A locally made Bladerunner OC1. It’s captain had been paddling for a whole 2 weeks!
And some bigger boats too – a full blown OC6 ready to charge!
Alan gets a 2nd in the Mens Kayak class, beaten by the slightly older fella on the right!
Lt Cmdr Nat got his first surf ski podium place as well. Congrats Nat!
Meg, good friend of TFP, takes out the Womens Kayak div for the 2nd time. Congrats!
You’re not the only person surprised by the age difference. See how Dez assumed I was the winner and put the 1st place medal around my neck while poor old Chook’s standing to one side? I knew the medal was his but wanted to get my photo taken with it before handing it over.
Hoping Chook doesn’t come back for the remaining series races or I’ll have to buy a wing paddle to beat him (and by “beat him” I mean “go faster” – don’t think there’s any need to hit him with it just yet).
Really enjoying the Summer Series so far, I think this will be huge by summer’s end. Best come enter the next one while it’s just me and Chook you have to beat! 😉
Hi FP, should have told you about this sooner, but this Sunday April 14 is the annual Rose Bay Challenge, a charity race for all padlecraft starting from Tingira Beach Reserve 8am …that’s next to Woollahra Sailing Club, New South Head Road just before Rose Bay village as you head East. There will be spot prizes, a charity auction and a free BBQ for entrants. The Challenge is organised by Shark Island Paddlers, a group that trains out of Rose Bay, and it raises funds for the Paraplegic Benefit Fund which aims to reduce spinal injuries through its education programs including one that focuses on injuries being sustained by jumping into shallow water. We hope to help spread the message and also encourage disable paddlers to get out on the water.
Info http://surfskiaustralia.com/calendar/?Eid=9&details=All
Entries https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/Register.aspx?ID=8557 Entries will also be available on the day from 7.30am.
Hope you can make it…bring the FP crew and make it a party…yes there will be sausages!!!