The Epic Kayaks 20 Beaches Ocean Classic – this Saturday, December 19th.
If your down at the beach this afternoon you will probably see a whole lot of ski paddlers go past.
Today sees the 20 Beaches Ocean Classic which is a ski race from Palm Beach to Manly featuring some of the world’s best ski paddlers. It is the final race of the six race Oceanseries and is a 25 kilometre downwind race featuring spec surf skis and ocean racing skis. The current series leader is Australian Tim Jacob who recently won the prestigious 2009 Dubai Shamaal. He will be hoping to take line honours up against Murray Stewart (two race winner) and Queenslander Dean Mercer.
This event will also see South African Oscar Chalupsky, arguably the world’s best distance surf ski paddler, competing alongside Olympians Sasa Vujanic, Tony Schumacher and Hawaiian paddlers Patrick Dolan and Lauren Bartlett. Few paddlers hold a record comparable to that of Chalupsky. Beginning his canoeing career during his school years, his list of accomplishments includes eleven-time World Surf Ski Champion, multiple winner of international surf skiing races all around the world and Olympic South African Team Captain, participating in kayaking in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Over 150 already registered – hoping to top 200 mark. All on spec surf skis and ocean racing skis.
This is organised and run by Surf Life saving Sydney Northern Beaches and the volunteers of all the surf clubs along the way. Monies raised go back into helping run surf life saving on our beaches.
The experts are predicting the swell and wind conditions will determine the winner with strong downwind conditions favour the more experienced paddlers, while flat water will give the Olympic paddlers l
Prize money of $10,000 is up for grabs on this race alone thanks to Epic Kayaks, Bing Lee and LG as well as many other prizes. For more information www.oceanseries.com.au
