Eastern Canadian Championships – Port Dalhousie Race Recap

WOW! There were a lot of wows that day and that’s the best word I can use to describe the day.

The promise of a downwinder turned into a battle of strength when the wind picked up with a Northerly bent.

As winds stated to gust to the 30’s it took a lot of skill just to stand on your board.

The picture below of Tracey Finlay says it all.

Also pictured: 2016 Eastern Canadian Champions Antonio Bruzzese and Jamie Lee Moir

Elite Start. The launch was restricted so racers could only enter the water in twos or threes.

By the time everyone had launched the start line had drifted over 500 meters downwind. With the majority gathered by the safety boat there was no choice but to start the race as a general recall would have been impossible. The strong, gusty winds only added to the frustration of the latter part of the field.

Safety Crew. Thanks to Jeff Mackie in the boat, Ben Robertson on the Ausmosis Ski and Alex Nicholas on the yellow Jet Ski who gave support to the racers without whom the race would not have been possible. Jeff assisted 3 racers with the help of Richard Dewey – Ariel’s Dad.

group

Competition Rules

The following is a quote from the WPA Racing Rulebook: https://www.tahoenalu.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/2013-WPA-SUP-RACING-RULEBOOK_2-13.pdf

  1. Competitor Rules and Safety
  2. a) A competitor must be standing while paddling once a race has started until crossing over the finish line. A competitor is allowed to sit, lay or kneel to rest without making forward progress. If a competitor takes more than five strokes while sitting, laying or kneeling once a race has started the competitor may be disqualified (DNF). The exception with this would be for safety reasons where a competitor needs to avoid or may be put into a potentially dangerous situation that would put them or others at risk of injury and or property damage.  

AWARDS

With everyone safely ashore it was time to gather at the LOCK STREET BREW PUB courtesy of our host Darryl Austin. A great BBQ was provided thanks to Rosie. I think the samples were a hit and the Pub will be a great success.

NEXT RACE – PORT DOVER SUP RACES – Saturday, July 16, 2016 –

HOSTED BY SOUTHCOAST WATERSPORTS – ONTARIO SUP SERIES

RACE DAY SCHEDULE

SUPcross Race:

On Site Registration: 10:00 to 11:00

Race Meeting: 11:30

SUPcross Race(s) Start: 12:00 – Elite will run first followed by Open/Novice/Kids 

POND HOCKEY TOURNAMENT (AKA SUP POLO)

After SUPcross races.

SUPcross Race

The SUPcross race will be exactly like the dragonfly course we did last year with a beach start, a paddle out to a far distance buoy then back to a beach run followed by laps of the wing buoy course with more beach runs.   Distance for Elite will be between 4-6 km + laps (TBD). Open will be half that, 2-3 km + laps (TBD)).  Kids and Novice will be one lap.

The First Annual Lake Erie Pond Hockey Tournament (AKA SUP Polo) – Free w/ race registration

This is crazy fun!  Get your team of six ready or you will be assigned to one.

Quick 15 min games.

Winners will advance to finals rounds.

Losers will play consolation rounds.

We will provide polo paddle and inflatable boards for all.

Tournament will greatly depend on weather conditions.  It it’s too choppy, no go.

Canadian Rules:

  • 6 players per side
  • Balls to be played with paddle only
  • No use of hands or feet to advance ball
  • Ball can only be played while standing up, no kneeling or in the water passes or shots.
  • No intentional contact with paddle to board or person (i.e. no pushing someone’s board with your   paddle or cross checking, slashing etc.)  Can’t use paddle as a weapon.
  • Board to board contact is allowed while ball is in play.  Call it Canadian full boardy contact league.

After Party and awards at Knechtel’s Beach House.

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