Race 1 - The Shoal Bay Showdown

RESULTS HERE 

Are you looking for an ocean surf ski event that is safe and achievable?
The Shoal Bay Showdown has a 7km and 14km ocean event! Starting on Saturday 18th March @ 9am is a safe 7km ocean event, starting from the southern protected corner of Fingal Bay Beach. Paddlers will paddle out 1km to a turning buoy and then make their way around Mt Tomaree and finishing on Shoal Bay Beach. The actual open ocean part is approximately 3.5km of the 7km course, with support safety speedboats positioned across the 3.5km ocean section. 
 
Are you starting to feel comfortable in the ocean but don't have time to train for 20km + events? We are all trying to balance life and paddling for most of us may only be 1hr in the morning. The Shoal Bay Showdown has up to 4 events over the weekend with 7km and 14km options. Everyone will have the fitness to compete 7km or 14km events and if you did all 4 events you could reach 35km for the weekend.
 
Are you looking to see how you rank among your peers? The Shoal Bay Showdown is race 1 of the NSW Surf Ski Championships (Paddle Australia sanctioned series). Each event you will accumulate points to your overall 2023 NSW Surf Ski Championships ranking. 
 

OVERVIEW OF THE SHOAL BAY SHOWDOWN – A TWO DAY EVENT

Day 1 Morning: Saturday 18th March @ 9am is the first qualifier - the 7km ocean event from Fingal Bay to Shoal Bay or reverse depending on the wind.

Day 1 Afternoon: Saturday 18th March @ 2pm is the second qualifier event - the 7km ocean race is repeated for those people who couldn’t make the morning race or for those people who want to do the course again to set their fastest time. If you have competing in an organised ocean event previously you are automatically eligible for the grand finals on Sunday. The qualifiers are there for people who haven’t done an ocean event before and if you complete the 7km course in under 60mins you are eligible for the Sunday 14km long course.

Day 2 Morning: Sunday 19th March @ 9am is the 7km “Grand Final” ocean race event from Fingal Bay beach to Shoal Bay beach or reverse depending on the wind. Your results here count towards your NSW Surf Ski Championship ranking.

Day 2 Afternoon: Sunday 19th March @ 12:30pm is the 14km “Grand Final” ocean event from Boat Harbour to Shoal Bay or reverse depending on the wind. To compete in the 14km long course Grand Final you must have either:

  • raced in a Day 1 - 7km Qualifier with a time under 1 hour OR
  • have completed an organised ocean event before.

This creates a safe long course event where all paddlers have been deemed component for the 14km ocean course distance. Your best result from the 7km Grand Final or the 14km Grand Final counts towards your NSW Surf Ski Championship ranking, with extra points awarded for those who compete in the 14km Grand Final.

Podium finishers for both the 7km Grand Final and 14km Grand Final will be celebrated on the podium at the finish line area when all paddlers have crossed the finish line. The male and female race winners will receive a $250 prepaid Visa card voucher. For all the paddlers at the presentation there will be amazing lucky door prizes such as Epic and Bennett paddles to win plus Salty Cheeks apparel. The big prize is a $5250 EPIC Surf Ski and a $5250 ALLWAVE Surf Ski to win, where 2 names will be drawn from a hat after each event and at the last event the 10 names will be placed in a hat and 2 lucky people will win a brand-new surf ski each.

Celebration drinks will be held at the Shoal Bay Country Club from 4pm on both Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th for paddlers to get together and share the stories of the day.

 

IMPORTANT COMPETITOR INFORMATION

You must check in, in person, prior to each race you paddle in. You will be issued a race series number at your first check in. You still need to check in for subsequent races over this two-day event, for water safety reasons.

Your race number is to be written on your right hand, plus your race number sticker placed on the front right-hand side of your craft. 

Ensure you comply with the safety equipment requirements, as outlined here.  Failure to comply will prevent you from competing in the event.

Overview of timings for The Shoal Bay Showdown 2-day event

Day 1: Sat 18th March 9am (7km) qualifier races.

Trailer delivery of your surf ski to the start line – If the race is starting at Fingal Bay Beach, please load your surf ski onto one of the two trailers available. Please have your surf ski loaded onto the trailer from 7am – 7:30am (BYO Tie down straps), then the surf skis will be delivered to Fingal Bay beach (South end). Paddlers will need to drive, carpool, uber or taxi to the start line.

Arrive to the start line by 8am to “check in”, you will see the NSWSSC rego desk between the two NSWSSC flags. You will receive your race sticker to be placed on the front right-hand side of your surf ski and the race number will be written on your right hand.  

All paddlers will be notified by email as to the start line location, if the wind is from the South directions the start line for the 7km course will be the South end of Fingal Bay Beach. If the wind is from North directions the start line will be Shoal Bay Beach.

Race briefing will be at 8:30am on the beach.

Warm up out on the water from 8:45am – 9:55am.

Be ready for a 9am race start time.

The start is a surf ski jump start, where all paddlers will stand knee depth height next to their surf ski.

Day 1: Sat 18th March 2pm (7km) qualifier races.

Trailer delivery of your surf ski to the start line – If the race is starting at Fingal Bay Beach, please load your surf ski onto one of the two trailers available. Please have your surf ski loaded onto the trailer from 12pm – 12:30pm (BYO Tie down straps), then the surf skis will be delivered to Fingal Bay beach (South end). Paddlers will need to drive, carpool, uber or taxi to the start line.

Arrive to the start line by 1pm to “check in”, you will see the NSWSSC rego desk between the two NSWSSC flags. You will receive your race sticker to be placed on the front right-hand side of your surf ski and the race number will be written on your right hand. 

All paddlers will be notified by email as to the start line location, if the wind is from the South directions the start line for the 7km course will be the South end of Fingal Bay Beach. If the wind is from North directions the start line will be Shoal Bay Beach.

Race briefing will be at 8:30am on the beach.

Warm up out on the water from 8:45am – 9:55am.

Be ready for a 9am race start time.

The start is a surf ski jump start, where all paddlers will stand knee depth height next to their surf ski.

If you are competing on Sunday 19th March, you can tie your surf skis onto the trailers Saturday afternoon (BYO Tie down straps), so the surf skis are ready for the next morning. These trailers will be parked on the street overnight, so it is at your own risk.

Celebration drinks at the Shoal Bay Country Club: from 4pm

Day 2: Sun 19th March 9am (7km) Grand Final.

Trailer delivery of your surf ski to the start line – If the race is starting at Fingal Bay Beach, please load your surf ski onto one of the two trailers available. Please have your surf ski loaded onto the trailer from 7am – 7:30am (BYO Tie down straps), then the surf skis will be delivered to Fingal Bay beach (South end). Paddlers will need to drive, carpool, uber or taxi to the start line.

Arrive to the start line by 8am to “check in”, you will see the NSWSSC rego desk between the two NSWSSC flags. You will receive your race sticker to be placed on the front right-hand side of your surf ski and the race number will be written on your right hand. 

All paddlers will be notified by email as to the start line location, if the wind is from the South directions the start line for the 7km course will be the South end of Fingal Bay Beach. If the wind is from North directions the start line will be Shoal Bay Beach.

Race briefing will be at 8:30am on the beach.

Warm up out on the water from 8:45am – 9:55am.

Be ready for a 9am race start time.

The start is a surf ski jump start, where all paddlers will stand knee depth height next to their surf ski.

7km Grand Final Presentations – at the finish line when everyone has crossed the finish line.

Day 2: Sun 19th March 12:30pm (14km) Grand Final.

Trailer delivery of your surf ski to the start line – If the race is starting from Boat Harbour Beach, please load your surf ski onto one of the two trailers available. Please have your surf ski loaded onto the trailer from 10am – 10:30am (BYO Tie down straps), then the surf skis will be delivered to Boat Harbour beach. Paddlers will need to drive, carpool, uber or taxi to the start line.

Arrive to the start line by 11:30am to “check in”, you will see the NSWSSC rego desk between the two NSWSSC flags. You will receive your race sticker to be placed on the front right-hand side of your surf ski and the race number will be written on your right hand.

All paddlers will be notified by email as to the start line location, if the wind is from the South directions the start line for the 14km course will be the South end of Boat Harbour beach. If the wind is from North directions the start line will be Shoal Bay Beach.

Race briefing will be at 12pm on the beach.

Warm up out on the water from 12:15pm – 12:25pm.

Be ready for a 12:30pm race start time.

The start is a surf ski jump start, where all paddlers will stand knee depth height next to their surf ski.

14km Grand Final Presentations – at the finish line when everyone has crossed the finish line.

Celebration drinks at the Shoal Bay Country Club: from 4pm

Enjoy a weekend away, bring your family, as there is plenty of activities such as: The Mt Tomaree Summit bush walk, Sand Dune Adventures, Sailing cruises, Surfing lessons, Dolphin diving, Whale watching tours, Camel Rides, Koala Sanctuary and much more...

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

 

7km Course:

Day 1 qualifier course @ 9am and 2pm.

Day 2 (A and B Grand Final) @ 8:30am.

S/SE/SW/ wind up to 18 knots course direction is Fingal Bay to Shoal Bay Beach (swell pending) or East/West winds up to 14knots. 

7km Course:

Day 1 qualifier course @ 9am and 2pm.

Day 2 (A and B Grand Final) @ 8:30am.

N/NW wind up to 18 knots course direction is Shoal Bay Beach to Fingal Bay Beach (swell pending) or NE/East/West winds up to 14knots. 

14km Course:

Day 2 Long Course @ 12:30pm.

S/SE/SW/ wind up to 18 knots course direction is Boat Harbour to Shoal Bay Beach (swell pending) or East/West winds up to 14 knots. 

14km Course:

Day 2 Long Course @ 12:30pm.

N/NW wind up to 18 knots course direction is Shoal Bay Beach to Boat Harbour Beach (swell pending) or NE/East/West winds up to 14 knots. 

Alternative Course: 

S/SE/SW/N/NE/NW Winds over 18 knots, NE/E/W winds over 14 knots or large dangerous swell, the alternative course from Soldiers Point to Shoal Bay Beach will be employed or reversed depending on the wind direction. 

 

 

Registration and Safety Requirements

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 right hand, plus your race number sticker will be placed on the front right 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 Leg Leash

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

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 the sound of a siren or shouting the word “GO. GO,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 Shoal Bay Beach 20m to the right of the Shoal Bay Boat ramp between two NSWSSC flags or if the event is reversed the finish line will be in the South corner of Fingal Bay Beach. For the 14km course the finish line will be 20m to the right of the Shoal Bay Boat ramp between two NSWSSC flags or if the event is reversed the finish line will be in the North end of Boat Harbour beach.

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

Evacuation Points

Course marshal 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.

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.

Future events in the NSWSSC Race Series

All event info here - www.nswsurfskichamps.com

 

Race 1

Shoal Bay Showdown

Shoal Bay, Port Stephens

March 18th – 19th

Race 2

Malabar Majors

Sydney, Southern Beaches

May 13th

Race 3

Mosman Marathon

Sydney Harbour

June 3rd

Race 4

Palm Beach Playoffs

Sydney, Northern Beaches

September 16th

Race 5

Superbanks Showdown

Ettalong, Central Coast

October 20th

 

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.

ENTER HERE

 

Yours in paddling,

Luke Horder
Race Director

 

 

           

 

                

 

      

 

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