Ocean paddling is taking off in Aussie - as evidenced by the great turn out at the first race of the Byron Bay Ocean Paddler Series.

Start of the first Byron Bay Ocean Series

"We had thirty paddlers competing without any promotion whatsoever; just to see how we would go," said Kurt Tutt.  "I expect we will at least double that at our next race as it's truly an amazing place to paddle and everyone was stoked with the course on the weekend."

To the eastern-most tip of Australia

The paddlers were sent out from Main Beach, Byron Bay to Cape Byron (the most easterly point of Australia) around Julian Rocks 3.5km offshore.

The race got off to a frantic start with the pace set by Mick Waide with former Perth paddler Ben Allen and local Kurt Tutt amongst a front group of five. At Cape Byron Ben and Mick showed their strength breaking away from the pack - Ben pulling away from Mick just before Julian Rocks.

The race for third place saw Australian Olympic medalist Dan Collins and former two time Australian single ski champion Shane Dalziel dicing Kurt Tutt on a line close to shore.  Chasing the swells closer in, they made time on the leaders, but not enough.

'A frantic pace'

Ben Allen

Ben Allen, riding a new Hayden Molo ski, consolidated his lead comfortably in the light southeast swells and he crossed the line ahead of Mick Waide in a time of 43:14.  (Ben, from Maroochydore, is the current Queensland State SLSA single ski champion.)

Ben Allen shows a clean pair of heels

Kurt Tutt, making the most of the inshore swells on the way back from Cape Byron held off his challengers to finish in 3rd place.

"We believe Byron Bay is one of the most spectacular backdrops for Ocean Racing," said Kurt.  "This was the first of three races in this series, the next one being on 30 August.

"We have a very strong Surf Life saving Club in Byron Bay with plenty of ski paddlers," he added. "Most of us now are purchasing the ocean skis and there is a real growth between Byron Bay and the Gold Coast (being only 50mins apart) in our sport."

Photos courtesy Kurt Tutt

Results Summary

• 1. Ben Allen (Hayden Molo)
• 2. Mick Waide (Huki)
• 3. Kurt Tutt (Red 7 Surf70 Pro)
• 4. Lance O'Connor (Red 7 Surf70 Pro)
• 5. Dan Collins (Fenn Mako 6)

Full Results

Comments (11)

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written by teresa, July 15, 2008

where is the program for the ocean series.
Well done guys it looked like a great race.

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Details of next race
written by becky, July 15, 2008

Can the details of the following races be advertised on this website. Or is there a web address that the details

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Ocean Race
written by ocean obsever, July 16, 2008

"We have a very strong Surf Life saving Club in Byron Bay with plenty of ski paddlers," says the organiser.

Well,i ask then, where were they??

I thought most, like yourself had joined our clubs in queensland???

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Spread the Word!
written by Plug, July 16, 2008

If I had of known I might have been there.... any excuse to leave chilly melbourne at this time of year! Can we please post for future events?

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Here is the web site
written by TJD, July 16, 2008

You can find the web site at http://www.byronbayoceanpaddler.com/

See you in August!

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Had I'd known I would have been there.
written by houls, July 16, 2008

Any chance of getting a start in the next race? If so, how do I get some more details.

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sorry
written by houls, July 16, 2008

Sorry deatils were sent by TJD as I was sending my request for further details.
Houls

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Gold Coast
written by Stephen Wilson, July 17, 2008

Looks like a great race. Will be there for the next race!

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Paradise
written by Byron Bay, July 19, 2008

Byron has long been known as a small piece of paradise on Australia's most easterly point and for the population size has also produced many great paddlers of which only city locations could match. Ocean observer stick to observing and comment when you get off you a**e and have a go yourself! The sport is growing and needs positive people, your place is not amongst these paddlers.
I am stoked to see Byron coming onto the map of ocean racing and hats of to Kurt for having a go, not to many else are. I am hopeful that one day Byron could host a world cup race as most would agree be a great location for an event of that status.
I myself look forward to the next race and hopefully many more to come in Byron!
a quick plug- the new Red 7 is a rocket! Will stir up the pack in races to come.

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Put back what you take out.
written by interesting???, July 20, 2008

So the next event is in Maroochydore right???? Why not try and profit from that club and its surroundings.

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written by K Tutt, July 20, 2008

Thanks for the misinformed feedback "Interesting." Just to let you in on a few facts....Any money made on the Byron Bay races go to the Byron Bay Surf Lifesaving Club - in particular to help encourage and suppport the young junior members coming through.
The races are purely to attract attention to paddling in the hope that more people have a go.
I have lived in Byron Bay almost my entire life so why wouldn't I want to organise something I love doing in my home town and at the same time attract paddlers for good get together.

Cheers,
Kurt Tutt

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