Just to add to the madness that is the Merimbula Classic we can confirm that there will be a three SUP races at the event this year.

Along with the Beach to Bar Team and Surf Team Relay, there will be an 8k downwind run in Merimbula Bay!

The Balmoral Beach to bar SUP OFF!

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[/i]Now in its 6th year this highly contested team event has been 'upgraded' with the first leg to now to run along the front of town out to Bar Beach. Here the 2nd team member will paddle down to main beach, with the last two paddlers going up and back to the Bar again.

Surely one of the hi-lights of the event with 'Best Attired Team' up for grabs!
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The SUP ATX Surf Team Relay

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Just when you think the madness is over the same teams compete in the Surf Team relays right out front of main Beach on Sunday morning, hang-overs and all. With all the chaos that goes with Surf Relay Team racing, this event tends to create it's own carnage!
Salt Creek? Phhhht!

The Lahui Kai Merimbula Bay Run


At last - an official down wind race at Merimbula. With perfect conditions for Down wind paddling the window for this event will be saved for when the wind is doing it's thing. Paddling from Merimbula Main Beach to Pambula in a N'Easter (or reverse in a southerly).
This is an individual race with trophies for the winners in each division.

With just 6 weeks to go kiddies, stay tuned for further updates and race details.

Yeeew!

Lookin good AA. I thought you were throwing an MTB leg in there somewhere also.

With many of yhe hot shots away in WA at "The Doctor" the racing is wide open this year.

Woohoo! Can't wait. Down-winder in dressups!

WooHoo! Conditions are looking very good for the Merimbula Classic this coming weekend!

As usual it is going to be a full weekend of action on and off the water.
I cant actually see myself getting on MTB with these conditions!
This is the 'Mambo' gods coming together for SUP'ing!







So here are the details of the 4 other SUP events taking place this weekend.
Three separate Stand Up Paddle races and the Dog-man surfing event!

Merimbula SUP-OFFs


Team Events
Saturday 10am:Balmoral Paddlesurf Beach to Bar
The 4 man tag-team spectacular. The team relay begins with a long paddle down the lake right through town to the Bar Beach where the 2nd paddler is tagged to paddle down to Main beach. The 3rd paddler goes back up to Bar Beach and the 4th returns to Main Beach to be showered in glory.


Sunday 10am: The SUP ATX Surf SUP Off's
The same teams from the Balmoral Beach to Bar race compete in the penultimate SUP Surf relay right out front at Main Beach. An M-course is set through the surf zone with a sprint to the beach to tag the next team member. All team members must compete a lap on the same board used the day before.
One board. Team of 4 x 4 laps. Everyone must race.

Times may change - depending on the surf!

Divisions for the two team events

14' (max length) 1st, 2nd, 3rd - prize
12'6 max length fun class. 1st, 2nd, 3rd - prize
Best individual 'Classic Merimbula' performance - Carbon Paddle
Best Womens performance - Carbon paddle
Best Junior - Adjustable carbon paddle

The best Dressed team in both events - Merimbula Classic Trophie

Lahui Kai Merimbula Bay run: SUP down winder

The ultimate SUP race, in classic Merimbula conditions! Paddle downwind for 8k's with the wind on your back. Paddle from Main beach Merimbula to Pambula beach in a N'Easter and in reverse in a southerly. The window for running this race will be over Friday, Saturday and Sunday to maximise the best conditions for this race.

Please note, there will be a cut off time to the first up-wind turning buoy to continue in this race as paddling experience is required to paddle down-wind safely for 8 kilometres. Leashes and brightly coloured tops mandatory. Buoyancy vests recommended.

Divisions for the Lahui Kai Down winder

Merimbula Classic Trophies for first Man, women, Master (45+), Super Master (50+) and Jnr 15 and under

The Dog-Man SUP surf event compered and judged by the Dogman himself on the best wave time. Run when conditions suit. Stuffed dogs welcome
note that times may vary according to conditions.

Roll on Wednesday!!!!

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Kieranr said..
Roll on Wednesday!!!!

Mate you have a bust few weeks by the sound of it!

Sure do AA. WA for KOTC the weekend after merimbula, then the 20 beaches in Sydney. :)
Fun, fun, fun!!!

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Kieranr said..
Sure do AA. WA for KOTC the weekend after merimbula, then the 20 beaches in Sydney. :)
Fun, fun, fun!!!

You are a machine!!!

The best Dressed team in both events - Merimbula Classic Trophie

AA I am so tempted to put some old mtb fancy dress pics of you up but I know there are worse photos of me out there.

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NNSUP said..
The best Dressed team in both events - Merimbula Classic Trophie

AA I am so tempted to put some old mtb fancy dress pics of you up but I know there are worse photos of me out there.

Go ahead. Make my day!

Well another Classic is done and dusted, and what a weekend it was!
The stories, pics and videos to come out of this event will keep the SUP community buzzing for some time!
It was literally non-stop action from dawn till dusk.
Everyone has their own story to tell, but here is just one small slice - The Merimbula Classic Sup Off's.
There is a tonne of video and heaps of images floating around and I spent most of the time on the Go Pro, so this is what I managed to snap when I could.

The Beach to Bar race. Saturday 11.30am
Now in its 6th year this race was more challenging than usual this year with a building N'Easter and and long haul from the bridge around the front of the town to Bar Beach.

11 teams and 44 paddlers battled it out over 4 laps.

1. Bridge to Bar Beach in front of the town centre
2. Bar Beach to Main Beach - sweet - downwind run!
3. Main Beach to bar with Short Black scull at the Bar Beach Coffee
4. Downwind back to main Beach


What a location! Bar beach is always a superb place to chill, wait or watch the action





Cooling and chilling - Bar Beach

This is how the four man Teams came in on Day one.
1. Naish Cakes 12'6
2. The Fanatics 14'
3. RPS - Ke Nalu - 12'6 Lahui Kai
4. The Kaleidoscopes - 14' Hobie
5. The No Hopers - 12'6 ESS
6. The Canberra Pink Bits on a 12'6 Fanatic Inflato
7. Team Starboard
8. The Balmoral Bubble Buts - 14' Lahui Kai
9. The Naughty Naishettes
10. The Yokal Locals on an old PSH 11 Wide All-rounder
11. Naish Wannabee's

Lahui Kai Merimbula Bay Run - Saturday 3.30pm

This was the latest event to be added to what is a full weekends lineup.
Saturday afternoon was looking like the best time to run the Downwinder with a solid N'Easter blowing.
20 paddlers took on the challenge, with a few bowing out to go Kitesurfing.
It did back off just before we headed out to the wharf but there was enough wind swell running and just enough puff to link up some really nice runs.

It really was a magic run and one of the most beautiful locations to hold this event.
The Go Pro running for most of it so there is a lot of footage but here are a few snaps.


The run down from Merimbula point to Pambula was superb with lots of stand up peaks and just enough wind to link a few up.

Coming into the Pambula river mouth was tricky as the tide combined with the wind to create lots of white water and little peaks everywhere.


The A-team - the Merimbula Sailboard Club girls making sure everyone is accounted for.


Yeah it was fun!!

Cheryl - pumped after her first real down winder



Cheryl thanking Jill for hanging back and and making it a run to remember.


Results - the inaugural Lahui Kai Merimbula Bay Run
1. Evan Green
2. Ben Brown - 1st Master from memory
3. James Tibbet
4. Scott Hardiman
5. Kieren O'Reirdon
6. Matt Clarke
7. John Engel - 1st Grand master
8. Paul Mackie
9. Jason Mc Manus
10. Darren Craig
11. Joan Ringrose - 1st Women
12. Courtney Cooper
13. Greg
14. Lincoln Gibson
15.Fi Green
16.John Grady
17. Angela Sawyers
18. Cheryl
DNF Angela
Sweeper - Jill Wong




What a spot! Pambula River mouth!