Middle Harbour Paddlers Raise Funds for Sunnyfield

BOTANY BOUNTY 23RD JUNE: RACE REPORT

Race Directors Review                                                                                 

Every race we have run has either been rainy or windy.  Actually one race was even rainy and windy!  We had all said our prayers and so I thought we might have had the perfect day.  The weather lady said sunny and light winds. As it turned out our prayers were 50% answered as the sunny was true.

I decided to take a run out intoBotany Bayand have a look for myself before the briefing as I wanted the best run for the paddlers and to get the best possible downwind leg that we could.  When I was out on the bay I thought that there would be some good runs across the bay from the north westerly that was blowing.  I knew that there would be a head wind leg but that the downwind section would have balanced it all out.

In between when I was on the bay and when the race started the conspiracy against us started.  The wind changed fromnorth westto west and went from 5 – 10 to 10 – 15 and sometimes more.  I was happy with the run for the short course paddlers as they could get out of the wind and would only have to deal with the cross chop from the other paddlers and if they stayed close to the shore most of the chop would not have been a factor for them.  As I followed the pack up from the start to the first turn at the Novotel I felt the wind and knew that anyone who could surf across the chop would do well. Botany Bayis known for the short chop but in some sections is also known for some nice little waves.  The wind chop was certainly there and as I followed the pack across the bay I saw some paddlers taking an involuntary swim which is all part of this sort of race.  What was great to see was as per the race briefing other paddlers stopped to render assistance and the paddler’s code was continued.  The westerly wind made the side surfing skills essential and I heard many happy stories of paddlers linking up waves on the run across to Kurnell.  For those who stopped and helped their fellow paddler and of course those who took a dip in the bay I say thanks and sorry but that is racing. 

Unfortunately the lead boat took the front pack around a pole 400m to the east further than what I had wanted and next year I will put a race can there instead (with a big anchor so it does not blow away).  The race distance then became around the 16.8km in length and I am sure that with the leg into the wind it must have felt like more.  I covered over 45km in my run around bay checking on the paddlers and then going back over the course.  I stayed with the tail and watched some great paddlers show some real courage to finish in particular Nat Bradford, Rob Cook, Margaret Pearson and of course Fook Chee in his Mirage 580.  I missed being on the beach to greet the paddlers as I usually do at the finish but thought it important to be on the water on the day.  It would have been great to have been able to do both.

The presentation is always the highlight for me and it is always great to go over the list of names and see who came where and what their times were.  I saw some excellent results and I heard some great stories back in the park and it is always at that time that I know why I like to run races.  You see and hear the good and the bad but always it is the positive outlook of the ocean paddler who looks forward to the next time that they get to take on the challenge. 

Congratulations to everyone who took the challenge of the Botany Bounty 2012 race.  Well done for competing well done for those who supported their fellow paddler.  Well done to those who got a placing outright and in their category.  Most of all well done for coming down on a cold winters day and paddling Round 1 of the 2012 Iceberg Series. 

Thank you to the sponsors who donated the wonderful prizes and gifts, especially Epic Kayaks, Matt Blundell from Prokayaks, Steve and Jarryd from Unleash Compression, Michal and Suzy from Eastern Bloc Soft Tissue Clinic.  We appreciate your support and generous donations.

This race was brought to you by the proud members of the Southern Districts Ocean Paddlers.  We hope you enjoyed the race we look forward to seeing you again next year.  Good luck for the rest of the series and we hope that you get the results you want and have a great year.

Steve Newsome – Race Director