Bigger, better for Canoes
Bigger, better for Canoes
January 10, 2008
Section: Community, Sport
JOEL RITCHIE
IN the wake of some wild surf, Illawarra Canoe Club (ICC) is gearing up to host this weekend’s NSW Ocean Racing Championships in Wollongong.
More than 100 paddlers are expected to converge on the Illawarra for the two-day event.
After massive swells hammered the state’s coast this past weekend, ICC president Nigel Edwards said the bigger the swells, the better for elite racers at the state championships.
“The bigger the waves and the stronger the winds, the faster the big guys will go,” he said.
Wollongong City, North Wollongong and Fairy Meadow Surf Life Saving Clubs will supply six IRBs and two jet skis for rescues.
Saturday will feature the singles race, a 23km paddle from the Sea Cliff Bridge to Wollongong Harbour.
The race will feature a rolling start with two 50-foot Sea Ray power crafts shadowing the field.
Wollongong Lord Mayor Alex Darling will start the race at 2pm.
Along with $250 for the winner, the event will feature $250 spot prizes for the leaders at the 1km and 5km mark and a ‘lucky boat’ prize. Prize money for Saturday’s race is courtesy of Racingline.
At 10am Sunday the doubles race will be held from Wollongong Harbour to East Corrimal Point and back. That race carries a $1000 winner’s purse supplied by Oceanpaddler and will be followed by a presentation at the Five Islands Brewery.
Winners will qualify for the next round of the World Cup, to be held in Wellington, New Zealand.
The event will also be used to promote the Illawarra, with information for competitors.