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 [Editor: The 2007 North Sea Outrigger Canoe and
Surfski championships took place on the weekend of 14th/15th
July at Surfer's Paradise, Knokke, Belgium. The event was a huge success and is
testament to the growth of surf ski in Europe - although the race started as an
OC event, they're expecting surf skis to outnumber OCs in 2008.
Event Organizer Danny D'Hooge sent us this
report.]
Nothing but smiles
Nothing but
smiles at Europe's most prestigious canoe event of the year. Hard, hard conditions in the 20km (well,
actually 23 km) race but that's what the North Sea is famous for...
The upwind
battle was against 3-4 knots of current, waves and gusts exceeding 27kt - all of
which created a steep, short wave pattern. Pictures (purchase from www.adsail.be) were taken from a tower at the
turning mark. The downwind leg was absolutely world class. The steep waves
created by the current, made it possible to catch almost every wave and stay on
it... Some OC1's logged speeds topping 28 kph on the GPS...
Surf Ski
Belgium's
Surf Ski pride Kurt Dierickx (who came 8th at Molokai) took 2:03 taking
the Surf Ski cup home.
Daman Rick
from Holland (Master class) ended second overall. In the women's Surf Ski division, multiple
Olympic Champion, Brigit Fisher from Germany (also Master class) ended 1st !
 Kurt Diercxk leads Thomas Zachert (photo: www.adsail.be)
OC1
Even the
winner Martin Buday (Germany) took longer than expected to complete the 23km
race - he took 2 :23. Upcoming talent Normen Weber finished second in 2:29.
Sprint Races
On Sunday,
the wind turned offshore and the resulting flat waters made the 500m sprints
look like Polynesian romance... Norman
Weber ended first but Martin still ended overall 1st, winning his 4th
consecutive NOCC trophy.
Sandra
Steraj (Italy) played it safe after learning from last year that the North Sea
can be unforgiving. She won both the
23km (2:53) and the 500 m sprints. Sarah
Jellonnek (Germany) ended 2nd overall.
Future of the event assured
The NOCC
found its definite concept and long term sponsor (Peak Performance) and the
future looks bright.
Next year,
the Surf Ski division will have at least 30 more entries, meaning that it would
outnumber the outrigger canoes. Moreover, talks have started about a fusion of
the 'Life Saving games' (Surf Ski discipline) with the NOCC.
Besides
heaps of kisses, cups & cheques, 2 Helium Allwave Canoes were also given
away in lucky draws... Philip Chris (New Zealand) and Gero Jacob (Germany) each
took one home...
Heaps of
cameras (2 TV stations), magazine reporters and spectators have created a vibe
the sport needs in Europe.
Event
details, results and pics on www.nocc.be
NOCC 2008
The 2008
event takes place 12th/13th July 2008. Mark your diaries NOW!
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