RACE 3 - NEW SOUTH WALES SURF SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS

Malabar Majors - May 11th 2024

2023 RESULTS 

2024 RESULTS

Our mission is to INSPIRE, EMPOWER & ENGAGE paddlers to come together and compete in the sport they love. By creating a supportive and encouraging environment we aim to provide a race series where people feel safe to do an ocean event or to enter into their first ever surf ski ocean event.

Heading into Race 3 of the NSW Surf Ski Championship series is the Malabar Majors. Paddlers will enjoy the 8.5km ocean event from Malabar Beach to Frenchmans Beach, La Perouse, the 16km ocean event from Frechmans Beach, La Perouse to Gunnamatta Park, Cronulla or the 21km ocean event from Malabar Beach to Gunnamatta Park, Cronulla. The paddle takes you along the majestic coastline cliff line of Sydney’s Southern beaches. We would like to respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we gather, the Bidjigal and Gadigal People and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in attendance
 

The race starts at 1:30pm with the following courses [if wind is N/NE/NW]

  • 5km event starts with a standing beach start from Malabar Beach, then 1.5km out to a turning marker, then turn right into Botany Heads and finish at Frenchmans Beach, La Perouse. 
  • 16km ocean event starts with a standing beach start from Frenchmans Beach, La Perouse then 3km out to a turning marker, then turn right and paddle to the finish at Gunnamatta Park, Cronulla. 
  • 21km ocean event starts with a standing beach start from Malabar Beach then paddle out 1.5km to a turning marker, then turn right and paddle to the finish at Gunnamatta Park, Cronulla. 

The race starts at 1:30pm with the following courses [if wind is S/SE/SW]

  • 5km event starts with a standing beach start from Frenchmans Beach then out through the Botany Heads to turn left for Malabar Beach. 
  • 15km Ocean event starts with a deep water start from Dolls Point and takes you out through Botany Bay heads to turn left for Malabar Beach.
  • 19km Ocean event starts with a deep water start from Dolls Point and takes you West to Captain Cook bridge to then turn and paddle back out through Botany Bay heads to turn left for Malabar Beach.

If conditions are severe we have Botany Bay area to run safe downwind courses.

The prizes

Podium place winners will receive a 1st, 2nd, 3rd place medallion for their achievement plus cool Salty Cheeks prizes from our good friends @ saltycheeks.com.au and Tango Charlie Lights @tangocharlielights.com.au

All the paddlers’ race numbers will be placed in a hat and the lucky ‘door’ prizes include a chance to win one a Bennett Carbon Paddle, gifted from Greg Bennett @BennettSurf.com.

Also a chance to win $200 gift vouchers from Vrack @vrack.com.au the lastest in surf ski roof rack design.

The big prize for the NSW Surf Ski Championships series is a chance to win a brand new Ultra EPIC Surf Ski (valued $5250) or a ALLWAVE Corso Layup surf ski (valued $5250).   Paddlers race numbers will be placed in a hat and 10 names from this event will be drawn.  After the 5th and final race event on December 7th, the names drawn across the 5 race series (50 people) will be placed into a hat and the two surf skis will be gifted out to two lucky winners. A big thank you to our amazing sponsors EPIC KAYAKS Australia https://www.epickayaks.com.au/ and ALLWAVE Australia https://www.allwaveaustralia.com.au/ for these generous prizes.

Remember, you have to be at the presentation if your event bib number is drawn for any of the lucky door prizes.

Presentations will be held at the finish line for the 21km event – either Gunnamatta Beach, Cronulla or Malabar Beach.

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8.5km ocean race
Wind N/NE/NW starts with a standing beach start from Malabar Beach, then 1.5km out to a turning marker, then turn right into Botany Heads and finish at Frenchmans Beach, La Perouse. 
 
Wind S/SE/SW starts with a standing beach start from Frenchmans Beach then out through the Botany Heads to turn left for Malabar Beach. 
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16km Ocean race
Wind N/NE/NW starts with a standing beach start from Frenchmans Beach, La Perouse then 3km out to a turning marker, then turn right and paddle to the finish at Gunnamatta Park, Cronulla. 
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21km Ocean race
Wind N/NE/NW starts with a standing beach start from Malabar Beach then paddle out 1.5km to a turning marker, then turn right and paddle to the finish at Gunnamatta Park, Cronulla. 
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Long Course (18.5km) - SW/SE/S wind up to 20 knots 

 Short Course (14.5km) - SW/SE/S wind up to 20 knots 

 Very Strong Southerly Winds over 20knots - This course provides a perfect downwind option. 

 

 

Event programme: NSW Surf Ski Championships NSWSSC

Thursday, 9th May 

1159                              NSWSSC Registration closes 

Friday, 10th May

1030                              NSWSSC Ocean conditions inspection

1600                              NSWSSC briefing/start line emailed to all competitors

1630                              NSWSSC entries listed online

Saturday, 11th May 

8.5km/16km and 20km ocean race 

1100                              Competitor Check in Opens

1230                              Competitor Check in Closes

1230                              Race briefing at each start line location 

1315                              Competitors warm up time 

1330                              NSWSSC Race Start – Ocean Skis and Spec Skis

1500 onwards               NSWSSC Course finished 

1630                              Presentations @ Long Course finish line 

 

Registration and Safety Equipment Inspections:

Registrations and mandatory Safety equipment (PFD) inspections will be held at the start line of each race event, 30 mins prior to the race start.

Once inspection of your mandatory equipment has been completed your race number provided will be written on your left hand, plus your race number sticker will be placed on the front left-hand side of your craft. 

By entering the NSWSSC you agree to the following:

  1. You understand the risks associated with Ocean Racing and acknowledge your responsibilities to help a distressed paddler
  2. You will comply with the mandatory safety equipment rules of:

Lifejacket

  1. All surf ski paddlers must wear an approved minimum Level 50 / Level 50S Lifejacket. Your lifejacket must be Hi-Vis or a Hi-Vis top is to be worn over the top of the lifejacket. No bum bag inflatable lifejackets are permitted.

Safety Leash

  1. All competitors must be attached to their craft via a safety leash.

Hi-Vis Clothing

  1. All competitors must wear a piece of Hi-Vis clothing.
  2. This can be a Hi-Vis lifejacket or Hi-Vis top worn over your lifejacket.

Mobile Phone using SafeTrx Tracking App or VHF Radio

  1. All competitors are required to have either a mobile phone with the SafeTrx tracking app OR a VHF Radio and a distress beacon (EPIRB or PLB) with them during the race.
  2. In the event of an emergency, a competitor’s location can be tracked either by the SafeTrx app or a distress beacon. The race event channel will be channel 77 to those using VHF Marine Radios.

Whistle

  1. All competitors are required to have a pealess whistle attached to their Lifejacket.

Hydration

  •  It is also recommended that a minimum of 1L of water is to be carried during the race, and sun protection such as a hat and sunscreen.
  • We strongly recommend that competitors are hydrated before, during and after the race.
    • Competitors should be Sun Safe, including wearing appropriate clothing and sunscreen.

    Starting the race

    Two (2) minutes prior, the Race Director will align all boats ready for the start.

    Once all boats are aligned the Race Director will start the race with a shot from a gun or shouting the word “GO”.

    A start flag may be used if the conditions do not allow for an audible signal.

    Finishing the race

    The finish line will be on either Gunnamatta Park, Cronulla or Malabar Beach  (depending on the wind direction) between two NSWSSC flags.

    Please make sure you advise the race finishers of your race number through the finish line transition area - if you fail to advise the race finisher of your number you will be disqualified.

    Evacuation Points

    Course safety vessels will be with you on the course for the duration of the race.

    If you need assistance during the race, raise your paddle above your head so a safety vessel or other paddlers can see you until help arrives.

    In case of an emergency on land or water the patient will be transported to the closest Surf Life Saving Club Carpark Emergency Areas.

    Water Evacuation Points will be the closest beach access point. When on course if Life Support is needed Volunteer Marine Rescue will be the first responders to enable First Aid, DFIB and fast boat access to an Emergency Medical Access point.

    Award Presentations

    4:15pm onwards - NSWSSC Presentations/celebration drinks @ the finish line (either Gunnamatta Park, Cronulla or Malabar Beach). 

    Competition rules

    The NSWSSC are conducted under the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing Rules - Current Version dated 1 January 2019. It is the responsibility of the competitor to be familiar with these rules.

    I would also like to acknowledge and thank this year’s volunteers who have generously donated their time and resources to ensure the NSW Surf Ski Championships are a great success.

    Yours in paddling,

    Luke Horder
    Race Director

     

     

         

     

     

       

                 

     

          

     

     

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