Surf Ski . Info - 2007 Bridge to Beach, Australia

2007 Bridge to Beach, Australia

Written by Dean Gardiner

Saturday, 17 March 2007

Sydney Harbour once again played host to what is now Australia's biggest ocean paddling event.

Four hundred paddlers lined up under the harbour bridge and raced their way to Manly Cove in perfect Sydney Autumn conditions. Along with the paddlers two hundred ocean swimmers took on the grueling event. Racing as individuals, four and two person relay teams, the swimmers took off ninety minutes before the paddlers.

Craft of all shapes and sizes, competitors of ages and abilities make this event truly unique. World Champions on the fast long distance ocean racing style boats lined up with first timers on the super stable Bic plastic boats. Obviously, the pace differed between the two but the objective was the same, to get to Manly as quick as possible.

Sydney Harbour Bridge

Tim Jacobs ate up the eleven kilometer race in well under the hour winning the event, some of the less competitive took over two hours. For spectators it was bow to stern surf skis, sea kayaks and sit on tops from Manly in a continuous line to the city and they didn't stop coming for nearly two hours.

The paddlers make their way past the Sydney Opera House

The battle up front was hectic with Jacobs, Queensland's Dane Sloss and South African Daryl Bartho trading blows for most of the race. Jacobs pulled away in the final third of the event to take home the winners cheque and the prestige of winning such a race.Yanda Nossiter continued her dominance of surf ski racing on the women's side with an easy win over Trudi Barnes and adventure racing legend Christie Sym.

South African Darryl Bartho came in 3rd

Tim Jacobs with the next generation of champions?

One person not on the line was last year's winner Dave Kissane. A niggling should injury has kept Kissane off the water but he is hoping to be back in action for the June surf ski world cup in South Africa.

"Ocean paddling took a giant step forward after today's event and has clearly positioned itself as the new growth sport" said Kissane. "Events like this one are what's keeping guys involved in sport, you know the time the race starts, you have a pretty good idea of what time it will finish, and you finish at a place like Manly Wharf where you can easily enjoy the social activities after the event"

Former Olympian Yanda Nossiter won the women's category

The ocean racing series is already well into planning for next season and promises some fantastic events around Australia. The Bridge to Beach event will back next year in early March so make sure you put it into your calendars as this event is a truly remarkable race.