Race 2 - The Malabar Majors

2023 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.

Our NSW Surf Ski Championships point scoring formula makes people feel competitive at every event, regardless of their age and gender. The NSW Surf Ski Championships rankings table allows you to see how you rank against your fellow peers in your age group and gender.

Leading into Race 2 of the NSW Surf Ski Championship series is the Malabar Majors. Paddlers will enjoy the 8km ocean event from Malabar Beach to Frenchman’s Beach, La Perouse. The paddle takes you along the majestic cliff line of Sydney’s Southern beaches coastline into the infamous Botany Bay. 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

Saturday 13th May

Race 1 @ 11:30am is the 8km ocean race from Malabar Beach to Frenchman’s Beach or reverse depending on the wind. This is great for people new to ocean paddling or for those who want to get to know the course before the grand final @ 2:30pm.

Race 2 @ 2:30pm is the 8km Grand Final from Malabar Beach to Frenchman’s Beach or reverse depending on the wind. Your results from this race count towards your overall NSW Surf Ski Championships ranking.

If you have competed in an ocean race previously 8km or more you automatically qualify for the 8km Grand Final. If this is your first ocean race you will need to complete the 11:30am 8km event in under 1hr 5mins.

If conditions are severe an alternative course inside Botany Bay from Dolls Point to Frenchmans beach if wind is from the S/SW/W or from Frechmans Beach to Dolls Point if the wind is from the N/NE/E.

Your race entry fee $ covers you for both events, choose to do both races or one.

Podium finishers will be celebrated on the podium with plenty of lucky door prizes to be handed out too paddlers at the presentation. The big prizes are an Epic and Allwave Surf ski (value $5250 each) plus 2 x Epic paddles donated from IPDA Office Fitouts and a Bennentt Braca Paddle donated from Bennett Paddles plus apparel from Salty Cheeks

We hope everyone has a great weekend both on and off the water.

8km Course Map:

N/NE/NW wind up to 18 knots course direction is Malabar Beach to Frenchman's Beach (swell pending)

E or W wind up to 14 knots course direction is Malabar Beach to Frenchman's Beach (swell pending).

S/SE/SW wind up to 18 knots course direction is Frenchman's Beach to Malabar Beach (swell pending)

Alternative Course:

Winds over 18 knots, East/West winds over 14 knots or large dangerous swell the alternative course from Dolls Point to Frenchman's Beach (inside Botany Bay) will be employed.

Event programme: NSW Surf Ski Championships NSWSSC

Thursday, 11th May

1159 NSWSSC Registration closes

Friday, 12th May

1030 NSWSSC Ocean conditions inspection

1600 NSWSSC briefing/start line emailed to all competitors

1630 NSWSSC entries listed online

Saturday, 13th May

Race 1 - 8km

0900 Course Start and Finish Event Crews arrive

0930 Water Safety on the water

1000 Competitor Check in Opens

1100 Competitor Check in Closes

1130 NSWSSC Race Start – Ocean Skis and Spec Skis

1210 onwards NSWSSC Course finished

Race 2 - 8km Grand Final

1200 Course Start and Finish Event Crews arrive

1230 Water Safety on the water

1300 Competitor Check in Opens

1400 Competitor Check in Closes

1430 NSWSSC Race Start – Ocean Skis and Spec Skis

1510 onwards NSWSSC Course Finished

1600onwards NSWSSC Presentations/celebration drinks @

The Boat Shed Cafe (Frenchman’s Beach, La Perouse)

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:

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

Lifejacket

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

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

Hi-Vis Clothing

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

Mobile Phone using SafeTrx Tracking App or VHF Radio

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.
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

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

All competitors must be in knee depth water standing next to their surf ski, ready for a surf ski jump start.

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 Frenchman's Beach 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

4pm onwards - NSWSSC Presentations/celebration drinks @ The Boat Shed Cafe (Frenchman’s Beach, La Perouse)

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