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Stanwell Park, NSW, Australia: 12th January 2008 The Racing Line & Ford Civil Contractors 2008 NSWCI Single
Ocean Racing Championship started in NE swell at Stanwell Park (south of
Sydney).
 Tim Jacobs paddled his V10 Elite
Competitors lined up and slowly paddled between two slowly moving
50ft Sea Ray power launches with to be started by Wollongong Lord Mayor Alex
Darling.
Leading the pack off was Tim Jacobs and Dean Gardiner paddling south 23 km to the finish at
Wollongong Harbour. After 3km, the paddlers were riding the swells in different
directions, but it was Tim Jacobs in the lead from Dean Gardiner.
Aerial Coverage
During the entire event, Short Air Services airplane, flown by
Kylie Short, continually flew over the paddlers with a photographer taking
photos out the open back door while strapped into a harness.
Tim Jacobs held onto the lead and entered the harbour clear of the
pursuing pack. Dean Gardiner (2nd) and local paddler Cade Barnes (3rd)
made up the top three.
NSW Canoeing Inc would like to thank all paddlers who competed in
the downwind race and wish all the best to Tim Jacobs
who will now represent NSW in the King of the Harbour in New Zealand.
RESULTS
Open
- Tim Jacobs 1.41.03
- Cade Barnes
- Mark Minchen
Over 40s
- Dean Gardiner
- Lee Johnson
- Robert Barry
Over 50s
- Noel Yates
- Gary David
- Bob Hodge
Ladies
- Joanna Dounias
- Teresa Johnson
Over 60
- Jeff Banks
OC1
- Greg Long
- Carl Humberston
- David Mackenzie
OC2
- Linda Ng & Anita Happich
Sunday 13th January
2008.
In
a thrilling sprint finish at the Doubles race, Dean Gardiner & Nick Holt
just edged out local paddlers, Michael Lock and Ian Timbrell, by only half a
boat length to take out the Racing Line & Ford
Civil Contractors 2008 NSWCI Double Ocean Racing Championships.
 Dean Gardiner (2nd)
After
an even start, the field paddled north against the swell/wind with Dean
Gardiner & Nick Holt leading the pack with the exception of Michael Lock
and Ian Timbrell who decided to take a route closer to the beaches towards. Dean
Gardiner & Nick Nolt turned the buoy first with Robert Barry and Darren Lee
on their wash, and Michael Lock and Ian Timbrell just two boat lengths behind.
Chasing
the NE swell/wind back south to Wollongong Harbour, Dean Gardiner & Nick
Holt paddled off ahead taking the direction of the swell back, whereas Michael
Lock and Ian Timbrell stayed further offshore and chased the runners in a
direct line back to Wollongong Harbour.
It
was impossible to determine who was leading with a distance of more than 200m separating
the doubles, until the boats starting heading in towards Wollongong Harbour in
the last 2km. Entering Wollongong Harbour,
Dean Gardiner & Nick Holt lead Michael Lock and Ian Timbrell by only one
boat length. This ensured a dramatic 200m sprint finish with Dean Gardiner and
Nick holt just hanging on by half a boat length. Fellow local paddlers Robert
Barry and Darren Lee (plus 40-49yr Men's double) were third across the line
followed by Mark Minchinb & Greg Cooper. Former Australian Junior Kayaker,
Elyse Yardley, and Jason Foye easily won the mixed doubles.
NSW Canoeing Inc would like to thank all the paddlers and wish the
best to Dean
Gardiner & Nick Holt who won an airfare to
compete and represent NSW in the King of the Harbour in New Zealand, as well as
$1000 cash prize donated to the race by Dean Gardiner himself!
RESULTS
Open
- Dean
Gardiner & Nick Holt
- Michael
Lock & Ian Timbrell
- Robert
Barry & Darren Lee
Mixed
- Elyse
Yardley & Jason Foye
- Joanna
Dounias & Greg Dolgopolov
- Dionne
Capanna & Gary Baker
Photos by David Edelman
Paddler Report
Greg Dolgopolov sent us this report:
I thought I'd give you an off-the-cuff review of a great
paddling weekend around Wollongong (just South of Sydney) this past weekend.
On a hot and sunny Saturday there was a 23km downwind
paddle from the ridiculously picturesque Stanwell Park along some stunning
coastline to Wollongong.
Conditions were good, with a subtle nor'easter and a
following swell. Good runs but you had to work for them and navigation was a
little tricky.
It was balmy and starting the race at 2pm meant that
while we may have got a little bit more tailwind, we also got the hottest part
of the day. The race was well organised and the start was rigorously managed
with clear procedures explained at the start and a video camera on the starting
boat to avoid the Twenty Beaches debacle from a month ago.
I'd love to tell you about the start and what a great
field was gathered but I can't - I didn't quite make it. Even though I got to
the race early, I (embarrassingly) stuffed up the start. It took me ten minutes
to get out, past the beach break and sideswiping rip by which time I'd lost my
lucky hat and water bottle and was about to chuck it all in after having been
smashed a couple of times.
Eventually I got started 5 minutes behind the field. Note
for next time, get on the water earlier and warm up. It's a beautiful course
past some spectacular coastline and the new Se Cliff bridge.
I felt reasonably safe as a light aircraft kept watch
circling above the stretched field. I couldn't see anyone for ages so I just
settled into having a long leisurely solo paddle. But after nearly bumping into
a shark I really picked up the pace.
Apparently many competitors were lucky enough to come in
close but safe contact with the local sharks.
Tim Jacobs won, again. Everyone had a good time,
especially those who backed up the following morning for the doubles and teams
event. Dean Gardiner and Tim Holt won the 12 km out and back course from North
Wollongong Harbour to Corrimal.
The upwind leg into about 15kt breeze offered the promise
of great runs downwind and this did not disappoint. An incredibly tight finish
between the first four doubles. Unfortunately my doubles partner, Jo Dounias,
and I had a technical malfunction - our Dorado Double flooded with more than
twenty litres of water in the hull but we still came in second in the mixed
doubles. Great weekend of paddling in a
well organised event.
About the sharks - I have no idea what type they were -
they weren't wearing their branding -
not big, maybe 1.5 - 2metres, slim, bronzey coloured two short fins close together,
clearly inquisitive. the super experienced paddler Tom Simmat said that one of
the sharks he saw rolled up and showed him her(?!) belly - not sure what that
means but...
Here is an article about recent shark sightings in the
area - they claim that hammerheads had been seen - I can't confirm, but some
doubles paddlers saw sharks again on the sunday http://illawarra.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/sharks-off-illawarra-beaches/1151891.html
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let me tell you about the race from a womens prespective. The race was everything that was written by greg d, but the only problem was that there were only 2 women in the race, so come on girls. The only problem i had was at the beginning getting out past the shore break, but thank goodness for me i have a very good friend Jeff Banks who picked up my ski took my paddle and said follow me, which i did and the next thing he had my ski past the break i swam out he hopped off and i hopped on. Now how good is that! The race itself was long and hard but so rewarding as you went past some beautiful coastline the weather was kind. I was a long way back from the top of the field but i always felt safe as there was a lot of support people who contiually came back to see if you were alright. I only had one encounter with a shark who was inquistive came towards my ski but went as fast as he came. When i finally paddled into the harbour there was my wonderful family and friends to cheer me home now there was no better feeling than that. It made it all worthwhle. So come on girls lets make this a more evenly numbered or at least increase our numbers and make a world recognized paddle. See you all next year.
