The Middle Harbour SUP Challenge has now been confirmed for August 20th and will be based out of the Middle Harbour 16 Foot Skiff club. A page has now been set up on Face Book where you'll be able to see the latest updates.

The day will include 5km and 10km events, a children's race and sprints directly in front of the skiff club.
Incorporated into the event will be a SUP club challenge similar to the one hosted at the Forster event.

In order to foster junior racing, entry for under 18s will be free and boards will be supplied for the junior paddlers.

Jump onto the Face Book page "The Middle Harbour SUP Challenge" for more information.

More information will be posted here and on the face Book page on a regular basis.

Photo - Oliver Darkes

Nozza and Helmy there you go the rumours are confirmed
We will see you boys up here for the event 20th August
There is a secret mens business paddle that will be on saturday especially for unlimited boards that ends in a BBQ at a boat shed
The paddle back may be interesting

All good
Hugo

So Sunday 20th definitely official stuff?
Saturday intense training camp?

Correct saturday is the big boys training paddle
Serious stuff sunday

I will have a RIB out sunday so we can go watch the serious contenders
Should be fun
Be careful with your new uv light you may get a hell of a tan
H

In an effort to foster junior paddling The Middle Harbour Sup Challenge will offer free entry for all paddlers under 18. We will also be holding a specific junior race in the enclosed marina area of the club. There will also be a junior division in the 5km event as long as we get a minimum of 5 starters.

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Thank you to everyone who has "liked" and "followed" our new Face Book page.

The success of this event will depend ultimately on the support of the paddlers. Over the next week or so I'll have exciting news to share on race divisions, sponsors and other event info.

Please share the Face Book page with your friends and let them know about the event.


As requested I will also continue to post event information here on Sea Breeze for those of you not on Face Book.

Thankyou for all of your support.

Kind Regards
John Engel

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alohahugo said..
Nozza and Helmy there you go the rumours are confirmed
We will see you boys up here for the event 20th August
There is a secret mens business paddle that will be on saturday especially for unlimited boards that ends in a BBQ at a boat shed
The paddle back may be interesting

All good
Hugo

Why do vague, blurred images of North Harbour keep reappearing in my head Hugo??

DIVISIONS ANNOUNCED FOR 5km and 10km races.

The divisions for the 10km event will include:
Open 14ft and under (male and female)
Over 40 14ft and under (male and female)
Over 50 14ft and under (male and female)
Under 18 14ft and under
Over 40 Unlimited fun class

The divisions for the 5km will include:
Open 14ft and under (men and women)
Under 18 14ft and under (boys and girls)
Over 40 Unlimited fun class

Thanks to VMG Blades for coming on board as an event sponsor. VMG's team results show how fast these fins are. No other fin wins more major races around the World. Thanks for the support VMG.

A big thank you to Windsurfnsnow as the major event partner to The Middle Harbour SUP Challenge.

WSS and Sam Parker have been around SUP from the beginning. Sam's experience with racing as well as his generosity has seen numerous people move from recreational paddling to racing.Sammy and I are working extremely closely to make this event an integral part of the NSW SUP calendar.

Fanatic SUP Australia have supported the Windsurfnsnow series all year so we're excited to have them on board as an event sponsor for our big race on Aug 20.

CORR OCEAN COLLECTIVE have come on board and are supporting THE MIDDLE HARBOUR SUP CHALLENGE.

CORR OCEAN COLLECTIVE produce an awesome range of SUP specific clothing that any paddler would be proud to wear. Their website shows their range and has some beautiful photography of their team and various sup trips away.

Quite a few lucky paddlers will walk away from the random draw at the event wearing gear from Core Ocean Collective.

NSP have joined the growing numbers of supporters for our first big event.
Entries open next week.

We'd like to announce the generous sponsorship from Gertzel Engineering Surveyors .

Gertzel engineering Surveyors are helping us support the community side of our event and are providing generous sponsorship aimed at the family and weekend paddler.

It's wonderful to have a company outside of SUP supporting our events. Previous to our event, Gertzel Engineering Surveyors supported the Tassie SUP event and the Scotts Head Paddle Games.

We really appreciate the support from John and his team.

Bridgey's Earth Moving is another company keen to give back to SUP. Adam Bridgewater is a super keen paddler and is supporting the Northern Beaches SUP community in a number of ways.

He's already provided four $100 memberships to the Middle Harbour 16 Foot Skiff Club as prizes in our series and is providing sponsorship and trophies for our event.

Middle Harbour 16 Foot Skiff Club is the venue on race day. It's the perfect location for families to watch the race as the course comes into the club on 3 occasions. Have lunch or a drink while you watch your family member or friend paddle it out. The club will have food and drink available all day.

Any recommendations for accommodation near the clubhouse?

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Markmyword said..
Any recommendations for accommodation near the clubhouse?

There's nowhere really close that's affordable. Narrabeen Caravan Park is 20 minutes away and most of us live around there so it's not too far. It would be the best option by far.

The caravan park has good cabins that will sleep a family or a group. You can paddle right out front on the lake. Easy to paddle 3km - 20km on the lake as there's so much room. There's plenty of good restaurants nearby like Mexicano and Oceans. Sydney's best pub, The Newport is just up the road also. if you have a trailer the caravan park would be a good option also. I think the Canberra crew are thinking of staying there'

Manly would be another option but there wouldn't be anywhere for board storage at any of the hotels.

A big part of our race is to attract the families who may not otherwise attend a SUP race. The Middle Harbour 16 ft Skiff Club's decks will provide a perfect viewing area for our races, in particular the children's races to be held in the morning.

Racing for the kids will be free and we are happy to announce that as part of their event sponsorship Naish are providing inflatables for the kids to race on. Racing will be conducted in the safe and enclosed marina so we're expecting a great turnout for this part of the day.

Thanks to the crew at Naish for their support.

We're stoked to have Starboard @starboard_sup_australia on board as an event sponsor. Starboard have a huge pedigree in racing and we're working closely with them on another surprise which we hope to announce in a few weeks. #middleharbour #standuppaddleboard #suprace #middleharboursupchallenge @_michaelbooth

The Sydney Paddle Surfing Club has decided to make our race the first in their annual series to determine a club race champion. Their series will involve 5 races across Sydney with the final race being on Pittwater in February at The Sydney SUP Festival. There will also be a race on Narrabeen Lake .

While the full calendar is yet to be decided, our race will be the first in the series where paddlers will use their results to get a cumulative point score across the season. Competitors will need to race in all 5 races.

The Sydney Paddle Surfing Club is one of the strongest race clubs in Australia so we're pleased to be the first race in their series.

Entries are open and we're getting a surprising number of early entries.

www.registernow.com.au/secure/Register.aspx?E=26796

Get in quick if you want the long sleeve race top on the day as they're in limited numbers.

We're super excited to announce that Micheal Booth will be racing The Middle Harbour SUP Challenge.

Boothy's trip from WA is supported by Adam from Bridgey's Earth Moving. Thanks Adam. It'll be great to have the number 2 paddler in the World at our event.

On Saturday, Boothy will be running 2 clinics at Jamieson Park Paddle on Narrabeen Lake. There will be a maximum of 12 people at each session. Cost will be $75 per person. These booked out very quickly when he ran them last week in Sydney.

Rego will be on a first in basis. If you want to attend one of the clinics, specify which clinic and time and email john.engel@spsc.com.au

CLINIC 1
STROKE TECHNIQUE SESSION
10am-12 noon
- Breakdown of the stroke off water.
- Tips and technical explanation on water.
- Application of the stroke on water.
- Q & A

CLINIC 2
RACE SKILLS AND PERFORMANCE
1 - 3pm
On water
- skills to improve your performance during competition.
- starts, turns, wash riding, paddling into different winds.

Off water
- racing to the conditions
- competing against others
- training tips
- board choice
- nutrition tips
Q & A

If anyone is interested on a one on one session with Boothy these are possible. Email me for details.

Spots are booking fast for the Boothy Clinics. The one on one sessions are over subscribed and the others over half full. Message me if you want to be included.

Micheal Jenkins is one of the nicest guys you'll meet on a SUP. His passion for the sport, particularly the 10 foot SUP class is well known.

MJ as he is affectionately known, has donated his awesome art pieces to various events around the country and there is always a list of hopefuls wanting to get hold of one. MJ has generously donated one of his unique pieces to The Middle Harbour SUP Challenge.

Measuring 600mm x 800mm the artwork is made from "recycled" Balinese number plates that MJ has collected over the years. Along with the addition of some old signage, this is an art piece that would look striking on any wall. (particularly mine)

One lucky paddler will leave the presentation with this awesome piece. Thanks for your generous sponsorship @Micheal Jenkins.

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NNSUP said..
Micheal Jenkins is one of the nicest guys you'll meet on a SUP. His passion for the sport, particularly the 10 foot SUP class is well known.

MJ as he is affectionately known, has donated his awesome art pieces to various events around the country and there is always a list of hopefuls wanting to get hold of one. MJ has generously donated one of his unique pieces to The Middle Harbour SUP Challenge.

Measuring 600mm x 800mm the artwork is made from "recycled" Balinese number plates that MJ has collected over the years. Along with the addition of some old signage, this is an art piece that would look striking on any wall. (particularly mine)

One lucky paddler will leave the presentation with this awesome piece. Thanks for your generous sponsorship @Micheal Jenkins.

There's a spot on the trailer with "MJ" written on it................

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Nozza said..

NNSUP said..
Micheal Jenkins is one of the nicest guys you'll meet on a SUP. His passion for the sport, particularly the 10 foot SUP class is well known.

MJ as he is affectionately known, has donated his awesome art pieces to various events around the country and there is always a list of hopefuls wanting to get hold of one. MJ has generously donated one of his unique pieces to The Middle Harbour SUP Challenge.

Measuring 600mm x 800mm the artwork is made from "recycled" Balinese number plates that MJ has collected over the years. Along with the addition of some old signage, this is an art piece that would look striking on any wall. (particularly mine)

One lucky paddler will leave the presentation with this awesome piece. Thanks for your generous sponsorship @Micheal Jenkins.

There's a spot on the trailer with "MJ" written on it................

Time to reciprocate all my visits to race on the Mornington Peninsula MJ.

The field is hotting up! We're pleased to be able to announce that Fanatic team rider Tim Cyprien will be racing with us on Middle Harbour. Tim is one of the hottest young paddlers around so it's going to be awesome having him down for the event.

When you race around the country you get to meet some great people and this guy is one of them. If anyone mentions "fun" at a race you can bet that Harry Lee is right amongst it.

NSP have just let us know that Harry will be racing at Middle Harbour. Harry is not only one of the best paddlers around, he's one of those guys who the term "Waterman" truly applies. A great surfer, kiter and extreme fisherman, this guy loves to be in the ocean.

With the addition of Harry, Tim, Micheal and Kissa, the pointy end of the field is really taking shape.

Sponsorship is needed to run races effectively and sponsorship from outside SUP is very hard to find. We're really excited to have ElGas and Swap N Go on board as event partners. Their sponsorship will really help out day become a success.

NSP have really supported our event. They were actually trying to get their International paddlers to attend but they'll all be in Hood River. They've put together a solid bunch of their Australian team who will be attending the event and on top of that have announced that they'll supply a board for us to give away at the presentation after the race.

For those who enter early, you'll have a chance to be part of the draw to win this awesome board.

You must be at the presentation to win the board so get your entry in now and cross your fingers.

The board is an NSP ELEMENTS 9'8" Cruise.
9'8" x 32" x 4 5/8
Fiber Sandwich Epoxy Construction.
Eco Friendly Secure Cell EPS Core
Valued at $1245

Thanks to Mitch and the crew at NSP for their generous support.