Race 5 in the 2023 Harbour Racing Series was hosted by Brisbane Water Paddlers. The weather Gods were finally in their favour this year and paddlers enjoyed the experience of paddling around the iconic Lion Island.
70 Paddlers started the race.
· Long Course: 47 paddlers (44 single skis & 3 double skis).
· Short Course: 23 paddlers (22 single skis and 1 double).
There were 3 juniors – all in a single ski. Kynan Burke from Illawarra was very impressive claiming 1st Junior & 4th overall single ski.
The 2 rescue boats were kept busy monitoring the paddlers. No rescues had to be made only some guidance on direction.
Of the 70 entries, all competitors completed the course.
· Long Course – the overall winner was Mario & Ziko Vesely (double ski) with a red-hot time of 57:12.0.
· Long Course Single ski – Trent Mozzie Martin from Central Coast Ocean paddlers once again dominated the open ski division by finishing 1st with local Central Coast Ironman Hayden Smith turning the clock back to finish in an impressive 2nd. One of the all-time greats Dan Collins finished 3rd.
· Long Course Female – Montannah Murray from Cronulla continued her top form taking the win with Vivianna Miritis hot on her heels for 2nd & Nicci Vesely rounded out the podium for 3rd place.
· Short Course – Chris Matthews from Cronulla finished in 1st with Manly Warringah’s Peter Grimes & Tony Mitchell in 2nd & 3rd
· Short Course Female – 1st Donnae Distin (LTPN) 2nd Rebecca Kelly & 3rd Eleni Batten.
Full results available on Webscorer here: 2023 Harbour Racing#5 Central Coast HarbourClassic | Race results | Webscorer
Series Point Score on Webscorer here: 2023 PaddleNSW Harbour Racing Series Point Score | Series results | Webscorer
Big thank you to Learn To Paddle Now & Tango Charlie for donating many prizes to the event.
Feedback from paddlers “It was a great course & going around Lion Island was spectacular”. Some good stories were told at the Boathouse café after the event.
BWP really hope to see everyone back next year. Massive thank you to Brisbane Water Paddlers volunteers & Paddle NSW race officials
Thanks to Rick White and Annette Mathews for the photos available on Flickr: 2023-08 Harbour #5 – Central Coast Harbour Classic | Flickr
Register now for Race 6, the final race in this years series – The Newy Harbour Classic:
2023 PaddleNSW Harbour Racing Series | Series registration | Webscorer