I think I am pretty confident in saying, from all the feedback we have received on Seabreeze, Facebook and in messages, that the 2013 Great Melbourne Paddle Regatta was a hit, and the best event we have run to date.
At one stage, just after 80+ paddlers launched into the water for the first round of the SUP SURVIVOR race, I looked around at everything happening on and off the water, and one word struck me; EPIC.
The Survivor paddlers were heading out on calm waters that reflected the blue sky, in 28-degrees, Dogman Roger Saunders was calling the race over the PA with the Survivor theme as his backing track and off to the side, Nick Hauf from Monkey Business was giving a free SUP clinic to some walk-up newcomers to the sport, both of whom had grins on their face. Kristi Page was busy with a group of kids in her SUP kids clinic, who were laughing and having an absolute ball. Behind me, Paul from The Zu and Rod from Starboard were showing off new boards to people in their demo / product display area. Sup Vic President and Event Co-Director Paul Harrington was busy setting up for the first novelty race – the Teams Pursuit, and curious onlookers were fascinated by the whole proceedings. It really was an Epic event.
Here’s DJs take on the day:
I don’t think I have ever felt so satisfied with what SUP VIC had achieved in promoting the sport, bringing all the competing brands and retailers together, and creating a real celebration of the sport we all love.
Soon after, Priscilla Patterson took the little ones under her wing and started the sandcastle building competition under the huge Fanatic/Ion tent that shaded them from the sun, followed by a treasure hunt, keeping the little-ones occupied while Mums and Dads competed in races, demos and lessons.
The Ocean Grove Netball Club cooked up a storm on the BBQ, with a coffee van keeping everyone’s caffeine levels topped-up.
One by one the Survivor Racers completed the 3km circuits, five in all for the top competitors, with 10% of competitors being eliminated after each. The winner of each round received the ‘Immunity Necklace’, allowing them to take it easy on the subsequent round. The wind started to pick up and by round 4 was a gusty 10-15kn, adding challenge to the remaining paddlers.
Meanwhile, the eliminated competitors took part in a series of novelty races while the Survivor rounds continued. The teams pursuit saw teams of four paddlers chase the other team. The relay races were punctuated by laughter. The pairs race saw one member of the pair run up the beach, while the other paddled out and around one of the rockwall groins and in to shore where they picked up their partner and the two of them on the one board then raced home.
By the time the SUP-X race was on, we were down to the last 8 men and last 3 women for the final round of Survivor, making up the 15kms throughout the day. Half way around the final lap, Heath Meldrum was challenged by Andy Davies, but pulled away to take out the title of Sole Survivor. In the Women’s, Jean Ringrose once again proved her dominance in the Victorian women’s field by winning her second consecutive Great Melbourne Paddle title.
If that wasn’t enough, Jean and Heath then backed up their 15km winning performances to then take out the Men’s and Women’s sprints straight after the Survivor heats. Massive effort.
We are pleased to have raised over $400 for the Mirabel Foundation, our principal charity, as well as provide a great day out for the bunch of kids that Mirabel’s Vaughn McCarthy brought along to the event.
Here’s the list of results:SUP SURVIVOR Men’s
1. Heath Meldrum
2. Andy Davies
3. Harry Lee
SUP SURVIVOR Women’s
1. Jean Ringrose Coyne
2. Lucy Bell
3. Ann Thomson200m SPRINTMENS OPEN
1. Heath Meldrum
2. Jon Sheard
3. Jono Kale
WOMENS OPEN
1. Jean Ringrose Coyne
2. Lucy Bell
MENS MASTERS
1. Chris Clarke
2. Dean Elcoat
3. Jason Isles
WOMENS MASTERS
1. Janyce O’KeeffeMENS SENIORS
1. Michael Jenkins
2 Warwick Lee
3. Damien Quinlan
MENS POWER PADDLERS
1. Tim Patterson
2. Stuart Thomas
KIDS JUNIOR 14-17
1. Aaron Kale
2. Noah
3. Dylan
GIRLS 14-17
1. Shania
KIDS UNDER 14
1. Emi Frederico
2. Bryony Clarke
3. Dom Frederico.
SUP-X
1. Dean Elcoat
2. Tom McQueen
3. Jono Kale
SUP PAIRS
1. Al Fairlie & Rob Wong
SUP RELAY
1st:
Darren Curry
Kal Marshal
Isaac Marshal
Con Toronis
SUP TEAM PURSUIT:
1st:
Anastasia Naoumidis
Jazmyn Wellington
Kate Doyle
Michelle Ness
TREASURE HUNT WINNER: Josh Elcoat.
Of course we couldn’t have done it without our sponsors: SHQ, Core Boardsports, Rps Theboardstore, The Zu Boardsports, Sunny King Paddleboards, Obsurfation, JP Australia, Surftech, Naish, Starboard, Fanatic, Monkey Business, Globe, Island Tribe, PSUPS, Go Natural.
Special thanks to Kristi Page for the awesome kids clinics, Monkey Business for the free lessons and Priscilla Patterson for running the kids activities.
Thank you also to the SUP VIC racing committee, Stu, Warwick, Al, Rob & Paul for the tremendous effort organising such a brilliant event, to MJ, Ann, Phill and everyone else who jumped in and helped man the registration desk. And finally, The Dogman for his humor and dedication behind the mike as our MC.
– Tim Patterson, Event Co-Director
2013 Great Melbourne Paddle