You will be able to follow the race via the Molokai World Championships Facebook page and on  Twitter @molosurfski2012. Be sure to become a friend on Facebook for all the latest updates.

The Molokai event is race #7 of the Oceanpaddler World Series where paddlers will be fighting it out for top points.

For further updates on the race visit www.surfski.info and www.molokaiworldchampionships.org.

Best of luck to all the competitors this weekend.

Date: Saturday 12th May

Location: Bayview Park (next to Bayview tennis club), Pittwater Rd, Bayview NSW

Distance: 14km and 9km

Registration: 7-8am

Race Starts: 8.30am (briefing at 8am)

Enter online: http://www.harbourracing.org.au

Click here for Event Poster

RESULTS

The event will in fact have nothing at all to with with the harbour but will run from Mona Vale Basin to Dee Why covering a distance of 10k.

Conditions look good with a moderate NE predicted.

The race will get underway at 2pm regos open from 12.30pm at Mona Vale Basin.

In the ladies division Western Australian paddler Ruth Highman dominated the race finishing 13mins ahead of French paddlers Angie Mouden and Veroniqui L’Her Marrec.

RESULTS

Both are expecting good numbers with a solid spread of countries represented. The top runners include Dawid Mocke, Cory Hill, Michael Boot, Mark Anderson, Leopold Tepa and Bill Bain

The Caribbean will host two events a series D first followed big one the Defis Kayak Series A event.

The race organizers have done the right thing in creating two great events which makes the trip worthwhile for those that are heading over.

Many from these events the top guys will keep on moving and make the trip across the Atlantic for the annual Euro Challenge. This is the biggest event in Europe and features many of the top flat-water paddlers along with some of the best ocean racers.

Along with those mentioned above chuck in Hank Mc Gregor, Jezza Cotter, and Sean Rice and this will be one the hottest races of the year. The race will have representation from the following countries. UAE, Hungary, Uruguay, Israel, Germany, Australia, South Africa, Portugal, UK, Sweden, Netherlands, Italy, Guadelope( at long way from France), France, Denmark.

Current rankings leader Ryan Moffett will not be making either of the following trips so his reign as king will soon come to an end. With two events in the Caribbean those that are currently high in the rankings and are doing these events, will push the current inhabitants of the top spots that are not into a lesser position.

Women’s leader Ruth Highman will also be making the trip to the Caribbean which will help consolidate her ranking especially due to the high points loading on both Defis Kayak and The Doctor in which she has competed in both.

To date nearly 500 have competed in at least one of the OWS events. As the early races in the series have been in Australia and New Zealand, this number is set to increase drastically as we move into the Northern Hemisphere.

The series has been received well by both participants and event organizers who now see a purpose to running these events.

For more info on the events go the the following websites.

www.defiskayak.fr

www.eurochallenge.es

Oceanpaddler World Series Points following King of the Harbour New Zealand Race

More info on Oceanpaddler World Series Events

Supporting Sunnyfield Independence

Location: Clontarf Beach

Courses: 8km and 16km

Start Time: 8.30am

Enter online at http://www.harbourracing.org.au/

Click on poster and map for larger view.

Former Queenscliff paddler Jeremy Cotter beat home a record field in last Sunday’s 6th Annual ’Bridge to Beach’ event on Sydney Harbour.

In front of a huge crowd the former ironman champ led home a record five hundred other competitors to claim his second title in the prestigious event.

Cotter was lead out of the start under the Harbour Bridge by the pair of Matt Blundell and Brett Greenwood who were paddling a double ski. After rounding Bradleys Head Cotter made his move relegating the double pair to second.

Cotter was overjoyed after winning the event for second time making the trip down from the Gold Coast worthwhile. “I am really happy with this win as I have been working hard for the next Oceanpaddler World series event in New Zealand which is next week” said Cotter.

“The race went well I worked with the doubles for a while then managed to skip ahead in the rougher water as I could see their double was getting bogged down and the single I was on just skipped ahead’ he said.

The race provided and awesome spectacle for those on around the harbour as the huge field pushed out from beneath Sydney’s most famous icon celebrating its 80th birthday.

Race organizer Dean Gardiner was really happy with the turnout and quality of the paddlers on the line. “Its great to get so many paddlers on different craft competing in such a unique event” Said Gardiner. “We had a few small problems at the start with competitors pushing forward but with such a huge field when people decides to go there is not much you can do” he said.

Local standup paddleboard champ Sam Parker was demoted to second by youngster Jake Jensen in a time of 59:26.

“The stand up category is growing pretty quickly in these type of events” said Parker. “We are seeing more people just wanting to take part in any of these sorts of disciplines and its great to see such a diverse group of people now getting involved in ocean sports” he said.

“We were very lucky with the weather as a gap opened up on that day making for pretty nice conditions” said Gardiner.

Results

Photos

Results

Congratulations to all competitors in the Manly Wharf Bridge to Beach 2012.

We would like to thank Manly Council for their ongoing support of the Manly Wharf Bridge to Beach event. In additional a special thank you to all our sponsors  including Manly Wharf, Bavarian Bier Café, BIC Sport Kayak, Australian Geographic Outdoor, Unleash Compression, Fenn Kayaks, Aqua Essence, GU, UB Wear and Kani Paddling Gear. The Manly Wharf Bridge to Beach is a Paddle NSW and Paddling Australia approved event.

Weather forecast

There is a strong southerly wind predicted for the event this Sunday. This will mean the area between Middle Head and Dobroyd Head will have quite rough conditions. Please make sure you have the required safety gear and for sea kayaks a spray deck and pump is highly recommended.

It is important you attend the pre-race briefing held prior to the start as there may be some changes to the course due to these conditions.

The course

It is important that all competitors follow the race course. There are only 2 buoys on the course and all competitors must keep these to their right.

The first turning buoy is a flat white disc shape buoy approximately 1.5 meters wide. This is in Athol Bay immediately offshore from Taronga Zoo.

The second buoy is a black and yellow buoy over one meter high East of Dobroyd Head.

By going to these buoys you will stay clear of the ferry channels.

Competitors must keep well clear of the channel from Bradleys Head to Middle Head. This means keeping all Green Channel markers in this area on your right hand side.

Beware that there will be an outgoing tide for the event. This will mean that once passed Middle Head the water will be moving directly out through the heads.

Pull outs

If you have to pull out of the event after the start or are withdrawn from the event you will be put ashore at the closest accessible beach. We will take your number and timing ID and relay it back to the finish. This information will be announced over the PA. Please make your handlers are aware of this.

Safety Equipment Requirement

PFDs/Lifejackets: Competitors are required to wear Type 2/3 Australian Standard PFD/Lifejackets for safety reasons. Prone Paddleboard competitors are except from wearing a PFD.

Leashes: Leashes are required by competitors to help maintain contact with their craft, which can be prove particularly difficult during high winds, or if someone should fall from their craft. The leash can be anything, as long as it keeps the competitor in contact with their craft. For example a Safety Leg Leash used commonly in skis.

Event Times

• 6.00am Registration opens at Blues Point Park, North Sydney. All competitors must sign off their name and collect their timing chip at registration prior to the start of race.
• 7.40am Registration closes
• 7.40am Race Briefing . Entrants make their way to the start line.
• 8.00am Event start (Approximate time only. Time may be slightly altered due to Maritime NSW shipping schedule)
• 8.45am Expected first finishers at the western side of Manly Wharf
• 11.00am Presentations for all categories at the Bavarian Bier Cafe

Presentations at Bavarian Bier Café

The Bavarian Bier Café will be hosting the Bridge to Beach awards presentation on its outdoor deck at the end of the event. The friendly team at Bavarian Bier Café Manly Wharf will be serving up a hearty breakfast special for all family and friends, plus a post-event lunch special for participants and their family and friends who want to sit back and relax with their supporters after a hard morning’s work. All competitors will receive a free drink voucher which can be collected at the completion of the race.

Ski collection area

• Manly Council have allocated a special craft collection area between Eustace St and West Promenade where vehicles can layover for up to 5 minutes to load craft after the event.

• To avoid congestion on East Esplanade do not ‘double-park’ or leave your car unattended. You run the real risk of being booked by Council Rangers. Please use the area in Gilbert Street (off Eustace Street) and other designated parking areas throughout Manly.

Aqua Essence Spring Water – please recycle

All competitors will receive an Aqua Essence Australian Organic Spring Water when they cross the finish line. The Enviro Smart Soft Pack is 100% recyclable so please ensure you use the yellow recycle bins provided.

BIC Sport Kayak and Unleash Compression display stands

Be sure to check out our sponsor display stands at the end of the race at Manly Wharf. Unleash Compression will be offering special discounts on the day.

Good luck to all competitors in the race.