Pittwater Life February 2017 Issue

Boating Life
Champion’s tips
for SUP field
It’s on again – the for-all-ages
weekend water celebration
that combines serious
competitive paddling with
just-for-fun participation – the
2017 Sydney SUP Festival.
Held on the weekend of
February 18-19 and once again
hosted by the Royal Motor
Yacht Club at Newport, the
two-day festival (this year
marks its fourth staging)
incorporates the Pittwater
Classic downwind marathon.
There are major cash prizes
to be won by avid paddlers
– although organisers, who
are expecting around 120
participants on each day,
stress it’s also very much
about fun racing for everyone,
with four races and events
over the two days, plus a SUP
Expo and supervised demo
area where novices can try out
the hugely popular pastime
and take lessons on technique.
The weekend aims to
provide a community and
family event with a major
focus on a healthy, active
lifestyle for all.
Local MP Rob Stokes, who
acts as event patron, is a
huge supporter and will be
participating again.
The Pittwater Classic 10km
marathon from Barrenjoey
to Newport commences 8am
on the Saturday – the course
is assisted by a NE wind and
in reverse (from Newport to
Barrenjoey) in a southerly,
which happens to be one of
Sydney’s best downwind runs.
(The race is boat and shuttle
supported.)
View the latest gear and
accessories at the SUP Expo
on the Sunday, when the 6km
Scotland Island race (and
fun 3km short course) kick
off from 8am (kids under 12
must paddle with an adult).
Plus there’s Naish One Design
Sprints, live entertainment and
a jumping castle for the kids.
Pittwater Life approached
the winner of last year’s 10km
Pittwater Classic marathon
and 6km Scotland Island Race,
25-year-old James Casey, to
provide some tips for this
year’s field.
James, who won’t be
defending his title as it clashes
with the opening event of the
2017 APP Tour in Hawaii – in
which he was crowned overall
champion in 2016 – says it’s
important for participants to
pace themselves.
“Choose the right board,
and not something too narrow
as Pittwater can get quite
choppy,” said James, who grew
up in Mona Vale. “Stability is
more important than speed,
so a broader board is better
– you don’t want to be falling
off and losing time and energy
getting back on.
“Also, find someone with
similar speed and work
together; often there can be
no wind, so ‘drafting’ is a
good idea – slipping behind
someone and swapping every
few minutes.” – Nigel Wall
More info and registrations
www.royalmotor.com.au
Boating Life
FEBRUARY 2017 33