Well folks, the 5th annual Great Melbourne Paddle Regatta has been run and won. In what could best be described as "testing" conditions, 30 paddlers gave it a good, hard crack and made a fun day of it. BIG Thanks to the crew who made it happen - Al, Warwick, Kathy, Tim, Shaz and the rest of the SUPVIC Committee. Thanks also to Sean Carew for on-water safety, the crew from Ocean Grove NFC for snags and Bacon Rolls, Mel of Cappuccino Express for Coffees, to our sponsor/supporters who braved the conditions - Quinny from Fanatic, JB from Naish, Chris from Kite Republic, Jeff from PSUPS, Warwick from RPS, Sam from SHQ and all our other club sponsors and supporters who make SUPVIC and the GMP possible (in no particular order) NSP/GSI, Parks Victoria, Sunny King, Core Boardsports, The ZU, Starboard, Go Natural, Monkey Business and SUP HQ
I'll let some of the paddler feedback tell the story:
"Fantastic event this morning down at Sandridge for the GMP. Loved the format of the three separate races. Gave everyone a chance to paddle all morning without being eliminated and having to sit out. Tough conditions on the beach but awesome on the water with tough upwind and fun downwind legs. Well done for everyone getting out there. Spirit of the event and social aspect was great. Pity the sun wasn't out to entice a few more onto the water... You know who you are..looked cosy under that tent. Another great event and well organised by all involved. Look forward to some pics of the action... Cheers" "Wet & windy but loads of fun had by all. A huge thank you goes to Sup Vic for making it happen in such a high spirited way" "A "BIG" thank you to all the SUPVIC crew for organising a great event. The weather wasn't much chop but racing isn't about sunshine and glassy conditions, its about meeting up with old friends and having fun, even if the winds are 25 knots onshore, cold and raining" Race Results: Overall Champions: Men: Chris Clarke, Women: Jean Ringrose
Open Men: 1. Paul 'Jonesy' Jones, 2. Steve 'Fergo' Ferguson, 3. Simon 'Simo' Albery
Open Women: 1. Jean 'The Machine' Ringrose, 2. Chrissy 'Pride of the Peninsula' Barrett, 3. Iseult 'The Weapon' Stephenson
O/40 Men: 1. Chris Clarke (also taking line honours), 2. Michael 'Abadaba' Abdilla, 3. Shannon Foy
O/40 Women: 1. Tiga Gilbert, 2. Kathy Naoumidis, 3. Sharon 'Shaz' Bourke
O/50 Men: 1. Warwick 'Wooz' Lee, 2. Alistair 'Ali G' Greenwood, 3. Damien 'Damo' Quinlan
Novice Class: 1. Rod 'The Mod' Clark, 2. Big Kev Fried, 3. Daniel Dodge.
More pics and vid to come