Hi Guys
We trialled our first SUP 5000 event this morning which was great fun and good racing. The event is made up of 4 separate races held on a 2000m rowing course - we were down at the old commonwealth games canning bridge rowing course.
First race is 2000m, next race 1500m, then 1000m and finally a 500m sprint. You tally up your placings and the paddler with the least wins overall.
It's great because the long distance guys have to learn to sprint and the sprinters have to maintain their endurance to be effective in the shorter distances. In the case of a tie for points there will be a 200m sprint tie breaker.
The racing was tight, especially in the final distances (1500, 1000 and 500m) with only centimetres between first and second. Great viewing for those onshore and potentially a good family event.
The whole racing took just under 2 hours. The idea is to have points totals for open and over 40, as well as 12'6 and 14' categories. We would also do a SUP 3000 for women -1500m,1000m,500m and perhaps a surf category (<12'6) - 1000m and 500m.
Stay tuned for an official SUP 5000 and further up coming races in Perth...very soon.