Marathon – Aug 2018

NARRABEEN – RACE 8

many thanks to Naomi from LCRK for this write-up!

 

The chilly winter weather continued for Round 8 of the 2018 Marathon Series hosted by Manly Warringah Kayak Club on the Narrabeen Lagoon. With only a light wind and an otherwise perfect July day it was a much easier race than the blustery 2017 edition.  

The race started from Bilarong Reserve across the lagoon from the Manly clubhouse, and volunteers had been out in force from early in the morning laying course, set-up area and portage run. At the request of paddlers going to the World Championships in Portugal, the course was laid clockwise rather than the usual anticlockwise. This, along with the lagoon not being open to the sea, made for a new and exciting course that took paddlers around Big Island and over to the western side of the waterway. Despite some panicked paddlers declaring they had never done a right-hand turn in their lives, the course was beautifully laid with sweeping rather than tight turns at either end.

The event was hosted in collaboration with Dragon Boating NSW, and Div 10 welcomed a vocal 10-seater dragon boat to the competition. The crew were great fun, cheering for paddlers and looking like they thoroughly enjoyed their two laps of the course.

While the early wind had died down by the time we started racing, the shallow water and breezy conditions still made for a fair share of challenges. Just after rounding Big Island, paddlers were faced with a head-on slog into the wind as they crossed a sand bar to the second major turn. Later on, as they headed out to the far turn the wind seemed to change direction subtly with every lap, stirring up the water just a little too much to feel completely comfortable. Nemo, however, had a lot less choice about who he went home with than last year. Hopefully it stays that way!

Club point score update – post Teralba. 

We’re coming to the business-end of the season. While LCRK have probably taken an unassailable lead…the battle for 2nd and 3rd continues. Three rounds to go!

 

 

MARATHON SERIES CALENDAR 2018

 

Myall Classic

It’s on again, and Entries are OPEN now for the 2018 Myall Classic ultra marathon paddling race which will be held on 22nd September.

Distances offered for regular entrants are 12km, 27km and 47km, the longer course being a perfect shakedown for the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic held in late October.

A special 27km ‘Students Challenge Trophy’ race is also offered, with its own special start time.

Early Bird Entries are available until Tuesday 18th September, and all Entries close at midnight on Thursday 20th September.

Racing starts from 8:00am on Saturday 22nd September.

See the event info on the entry page link to Webscorer.

https://www.facebook.com/events/293638254727429/

Myall Classic – Volunteers Required

An event like the Myall Classic needs lots of volunteers, so if you’re feeling like giving something back to our sport, or if you have support crew who want something to do during those boring hours whilst you’re out paddling, why not throw a name in the ring and help to make the event a success ?

We need people to help out with pre-race Registration and Check-in, Timekeeping, Marshalling, Scrutineering, Car Parking, Boat Observers, and a myriad of other tasks.

It doesn’t have to be an all day effort either. Even just a couple of hours will help to make it a more enjoyable day for everyone involved.

Contact admin@nsw.paddle.org.au if you think you can help out…….and “Thank You” in advance to anyone who does !!

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