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.
Kicking off with race 1 of the series is the Shoal Bay Showdown. Paddlers will enjoy the mini 7km, short course 14km or the long course 20km ocean events in the beautiful surroundings of Port Stephens. We would like to respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we gather, the Worimi People of the Worimi Nation and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in attendance.
The Shoal Bay Showdown:
Saturday March, 2025 @ 1:30pm is the 7km, 14km and 20km ocean events.
Wind N/NE/NW - 7km ocean event starts with a jump start from the East end Shoal Bay beach and takes you across the iconic Fingal Bay sandbar to finish at the South end of Final Bay Beach.
Wind N/NE/NW - 14km ocean event starts with a jump start from the East end Shoal Bay beach and takes you across the iconic Fingal Bay sandbar to finish at Boat Harbour Beach.
Wind N/NE/NW - 20km ocean event starts with a jump start from the East end of Shoal Bay beach and you across the Bay towards Jimmy's Beach, then a right hand turn around the marker to paddle out around Mt Tomaree and across the iconic Fingal Bay sandbar to finish at Boat Harbour Beach.
If conditions are severe there is an alternative 12km course from Soliders Point to Shoal Bay beach.
Podium place winners will receive cool Salty Cheeks prizes from our good friends @ https://saltycheeks.com.au/ and Tango Charlie Lights https://tangocharlielights.com.au/
The male and female race winner of the 14km and 20km courses will receive cool Salty Cheeks prizes from our good friends @ https://saltycheeks.com.au/ and Tango Charlie Lights https://tangocharlielights.com.au/
All the paddlers’ names will be placed in a hat and the lucky ‘door’ prizes include a chance to win one a Bennett Carbon Paddle (valued $800) will be gifted out from Greg Bennett.
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). All paddlers’ names will be placed in a hat and 10 names from this event will be drawn, for entry into the big prize draw on December 7th.
After the 5th and final race event The Mosman Marathon 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 name is drawn for any of the lucky door prizes.
We take your best positioning result from either the 7km,14km event or 20km event. The 14km competitors will receive slightly higher points then the 7km competitors and the 20km competitors will receive slighter higher points then the 14km competitors. Your points count towards your NSW Surf Ski Championship overall ranking.
Celebration drinks will be held at the Shoal Bay Country Club from 5pm for paddlers to get together and share the stories of the day.
We hope everyone has a great weekend both on and off the water
7km Mini Course:
Wind N/NE/NW - 7km ocean event starts with a jump start from the East end Shoal Bay beach and takes you across the iconic Fingal Bay sandbar to finish at the South end of Final Bay Beach. If wind is from the opposite direction the course will be reversed.
If course is reversed:
14km Short Course:
N/NW wind up to 18 knots course direction is a standing beach jump start off the East end of Shoal Bay Beach, to then cross the Fingal Bar sandbar and finish on Boat Harbour Beach (swell pending) or NE/East/West winds up to 14 knots. If wind is from the opposite direction the course will be reversed.
If Course is reversed
20km Long Course:
Wind N/NE/NW - 20km ocean event starts with a jump start from the East end of Shoal Bay beach and you across the Bay towards Jimmy's Beach, then a right hand turn around the marker to paddle out around Mt Tomaree and across the iconic Fingal Bay sandbar to finish at Boat Harbour Beach. If wind is from the opposite direction the course will be reversed.
12km 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.
Event programme: NSW Surf Ski Championships NSWSSC
Thursday, March
1159 NSWSSC Registration closes
Friday, March
1030 NSWSSC Ocean conditions inspection
1600 NSWSSC briefing/start line emailed to all competitors
1630 NSWSSC entries listed online
Saturday March
7km,14km and 20km Races
0930 Course Start and Finish Event Crews arrive
1000 Water Safety put in turning markers
1030 Competitor Check in Opens
1145 Competitor Check in Closes
1200 Race briefing at Shoal Bay East end
1215 If South to North course is employed,
14km and 20km competitors make their way to Boat Harbour Beach
7km competitors make their way to Fingal Bay Beach (South end)
1315 Competitors warm up time
1330 NSWSSC Race Start – Ocean Skis and Spec Skis
1430 onwards NSWSSC Course finished
1630 NSWSSC Presentations at the finish line
1730 onwards Celebration drinks at the Shoal Bay Country Club (upstairs)
Registration and Safety Requirements
Registrations and mandatory Safety equipment (PFD) inspections will be held at the start line of each race event.
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:
- 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 Leg Leash
- All competitors must be attached to their craft via a safety leg 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 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 for the 14km and 20km competitors will be on Boat Harbour Beach or Shoal Bay Beach (depending on the wind direction) between two NSWSSC flags.
The finish line for the 7km competitors will be on Fingal Bay Beach (South End) or Shoal Bay 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 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.
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
