Side Launch SUP Challenge hosted by Blu Wave SUP

The Ontario SUP Series returns to Collingwood as part of Side Launch Days, a harbourfront festival full of fun filled events. For a full list of activities please go to www.sidelaunchdays.ca.

Once again the Side Launch SUP Challenge will be a two day, multi race event, with Technical Race and Sprints on Saturday and a Distance Race on Sunday!

The Technical races have different distances according to the racer classification (Elite (8-10 km), Open (5-6 km), Novice (2.5 km) and Kids (<1km).

The Sprint races have the same format as the ISA World Championships, that is, 4 racers compete head to head over a 150 M straightline course with the top 2 advancing to the next round. This is a very exciting format and the racers are looking forward to this event. Spectators will have ample opportunity to view the sprints along the Side Launch Basin.

During the day there will be free demo at select times by Blu Wave and Starboard.

On Sunday morning the Distance race will be held from the same start line as the Technical Race on Saturday, with the course being a beautiful scenic paddle out into Georgian Bay to Nottawasaga Island and back (approximately 12 km).  In the event that high winds deem this course too challenging, we will alter the course to a downwind course from Delphi Point to Collingwood Harbour and the same start/finish line with W or NW winds. If we encounter E or SE winds we may elect to run our race from Wasaga Beach to Collingwood Harbour.

Please note that points for the overall series championships will be awarded for both the technical and distance races, not the  overall standings for the weekend, however we will be crowning overall champions in Elite and Open on Sunday.    Sprint results will not be included in overall for the weekend, and will not be included in the overall series points standings.  Cash prizes will be up for grabs for the sprint races.

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Photos: Warren Won

Schedule of Events

Friday:  

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Social Paddle launching from Harbourview Park at the north terminus of Birch Street.  All local racers and those travelling to the area on Friday are welcome to join for a casual social paddle in the Harbour.  On hand will be some of our Elite Racers sponsored by Blu Wave SUP and Starboard who will be available for some informal instruction and racing strategy tips.  Friends and family are encourage to join us for the social paddle, along with racers from all categories.  No pre-registration required.

Saturday:

9:00 – 10:30 On-site Registration and Check-in (PLEASE REVIEW PARKING SECTION BELOW FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON BOARD DROP OFF AND PARKING)

10:45 Race Meeting – Technical

11:00 Technical Race(s)

13:00 Kids Race (FREE) <1km

13:00  LUNCH – Included with Pre-registration and supplied by MOUNTAIN SUBS

14:00 Sprint Race Meeting

14:30 Sprint Races – $10 Entry Fee (on -site registration only)

17:30 – 19:30 Racers Reception – Side Launch Brewery

After a full and fun day of racing we welcome all racers, friends and family to gather at Side Launch Brewery for an informal get together to mingle and socialize.  All registered racers will receive a beer ticket for the reception for their first glass of Side Launch beer, courtesy of SIDE LAUNCH BREWING COMPANY!  Awards for the days activities will be announced at the reception.  Mamacita Tacoria food truck will be at the brewery so food will be available to purchase.  To view their menu click here. Brewery Address: 200 Mountain Rd Unit 1, Collingwood, ON L9Y 4V5.  Racers are encouraged to make dinner plans for after the reception.
https://www.sidelaunchbrewing.com/

Sunday:

Distance Race (12-15km depending on course/wind direction):

Board Drop Off 7:30-9:00 (PLEASE REVIEW PARKING SECTION BELOW FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON BOARD DROP OFF AND PARKING)

9:30 Race Meeting – Distance

10:00 Distance Race Start

12:30 Awards

NOTE:  In the event that we have high winds, we will alter the Distance course to a downwind race from Craigleith back to Collingwood Harbour in the event of W or NW winds, or possibly Wasaga Beach to Collingwood with East winds.

IMPORTANT!:  For added convenience for our racers, the Town Of Collingwood has graciously arranged overnight security at the start/finish line.  Blu Wave and Starboard tents will remain up overnight, and we have arranged for racers to have the option to leave their boards overnight on Saturday.  Note that the Ontario SUP Series accepts no liability for gear left overnight, but we assure all racers that security will be on-site from 5pm on Sat to 8:00 am Sunday. Please have boards in board bag with fin(s) removed for overnight storage.

PARKING AND BOARD DROP OFF – Racers will be permitted to enter the barricaded area of Side Launch Way with their vehicle to drop their board off, and then are asked to remove their vehicle from the barricaded area, and find parking on neighbouring streets, or at Harbourview Park (2 Birch Street) and walk back to the race site.  Street parking can be found on N. Pine Street.

HOTELS:  This is a very busy weekend in Collingwood, so there is limited availability in area hotels.  We have however secured a block of rooms at the new Holiday Inn Collingwood.  Please use this link to book and take advantage of a discounted OSS racer rate:  BOOK HOTEL NOW.

The HURONIC – Collingwood Charters

New for this year we are excited to be collaborating with Collingwood Charters to be able to offer friends and family of our racers a unique opportunity to view the races on Saturday and Sunday aboard the majestic Huronic, by Collingwood Charters.  Racers friends, family and spectators will have the opportunity to board the Huronic prior to the race start each day and tour out to the Harbour for Saturday’s race and Nottawasaga Island for Sunday’s race.  For Sunday’s distance race, the Huronic will anchor East of Nottawasaga Island, and after rounding Nottawasaga Island, racers will be required continue to round the Huronic prior to setting course back to the Harbour and the finish line.

Cost will be $20 per person and food will be available for purchase onboard.  Departure times will be approximately 10am on Saturday and 9am on Sunday.

Registration link to be provided  soon!

 

RACERS ONLINE REGISTRATION (PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY – THERE WILL BE NO ON SITE REGISTRATION!:

Click here to Register for Bundle

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER for BOTH TECHNICAL DISTANCE BUNDLE! (and save!)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER for TECHNICAL ONLY (INCL. FREE KIDS RACE – SATURDAY)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER for DISTANCE ONLY (SUNDAY)

Note:  Pre-registered racers for either the Technical/Distance Bundle OR the Technical Race will receive lunch on Saturday from Mountain Subs – Vegetarian options will be available. Prior to race day, those that have registered will receive an email requesting your lunch selection.   Mountain Subs is Collingwood’s gourmet sub spot, from the same owners as Northwinds Brewhouse.

 

Event Host: