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Side Launch SUP Challenge and SUP NATIONALS hosted by Blu Wave Board Co.
August 9, 2024 @ 7:00 pm - August 11, 2024 @ 4:00 pm
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.
For 2024 we are beyond excited to announce that The Side Launch Challenge hosted by Blu Wave has once again been selected as Surf Canada’s SUP NATIONALs and National Team Qualification event for the ISA World Championships, happening in Copenhagen, Denmark September 16th – 24th, 2024. 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, and given that we are THE selection event for the ISA Worlds, we will be adhering to their rules and distances for the ELITE category.
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 200 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 demos at select times by Blu Wave and Starboard.
Markham Works and Moonlight Sauna’s will be on site Saturday and Sunday with the exclusive Athlete’s Recovery Zone, featuring their top of the line Cedar Barrel sauna and cold plunge’s from Moonlight, and Blu Wave Therapy.
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) for the Open Category, and to Northwinds Beach and back for the Elite Category (approximately 20 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. There is also the possibility, due to forecast, that we will run the distance race on Saturday and the Technical on Sunday if conditions are more conducive to do so.
Please note that Ontario SUP Series 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 as well as for the overall champs in the Elite division (the ISA qualification division).
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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 TBD
14:00 Sprint Race Meeting
14:30 Sprint Races
17:30 – 19:30 Racers Reception and Day 1 Awards – LOCATION TBA
Sunday:
Distance Race (Open: 12 km, Elite: 20 km):
Board Drop Off 7:30-8:00 (PLEASE REVIEW PARKING SECTION BELOW FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON BOARD DROP OFF AND PARKING)
8:30 Race Meeting – Distance
9:00 Distance Race Start (Open and Elite will be started in waves with Elite racers going off first)
12:30 Awards
NOTE: In the event that we have high winds, we will alter the Distance course to a downwind race from Delphi 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.
RACERS ONLINE REGISTRATION (PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY – THERE WILL BE NO ON SITE REGISTRATION!:
REGISTRATION OPENS FRIDAY JULY 5TH, 2024:
Click icon below to register for TECHNICAL, SPRINT AND DISTANCE BUNDLE (OPEN and ELITE Categories ONLY):
CLICK below to register for TECHNICAL and RECREATIONAL RACE ONLY – SATURDAY
CLICK HERE to register for DISTANCE RACE ONLY – OPEN AND ELITE Categories ONLY – SUNDAY
CLICK HERE to register for SPRINT RACE ONLY – Men’s and Woman’s categories only
ACCOMMODATIONS – Our official hotel sponsor for 2024 is the GEORGIAN BAY HOTEL located a short 10 min drive from the event site. Please click the link below to receive 25% off your booking (2 night minimum).
Note: Pre-registered racers for either the Technical/Distance/Sprint Bundle OR the Technical Race will receive lunch on Saturday from Freshii – Vegetarian options will be available. Prior to race day, those that have registered will receive an email requesting your lunch selection. To receive your choice of wrap, you will need to register prior to Midnight Thursday.
Event Host:
