Race 6 Petone

Hi People,
After the last few races, where we had some real summer weather, the paddlers had a culture shock being greeted with a good cold Southerly today, so we changed from our original course to one a bit more sheltered and a bit warmer, and we paddled a two lap course on the Hutt River Estuary.
Based out at Sladden Park, Petone, the river was probably an equal challenge today with a good section of wave trains just over half a metre high, these were assisted by the Southerly blowing one way, and the tide and the Hutt river in flood, both going in the opposite direction.
With only 6 paddlers braving the conditions, it didn't deter some good racing with a bit of cat and mouse being employed and also some local knowledge of where to make the best gains utilising all the conditions, on what is normally a placid flat river.

Hulio McPike and Series co Leader (ski) Craig Anderson were quick out of the blocks testing all the lines on the first lap, but were eventually reeled in by Chester Burt on the last half of the last lap, with the three ski 3 paddlers finishing within 20 seconds of each other

The OC1 Waka Ama's of Grant Barriball and James Sadler, who were less familiar with the river conditions, and also the various flood protection hazards below the waterline, wisely choose slightly wider lines on the downwind legs which left them running into the river flow a bit more and alllowing Sandy Winterton to slip through ahead of them by the finish. James pointed out that "It was the first time this year he had been beaten by a Sea kayak in the Series."

View all the photos from today on the blogspot click on link at bottom of this mail. Results from today.

CanoeingWellington
Race 6, Surf ski and Waka Ama Series
Petone Course (5.6 km)Ocean racing ski: Chester Burt 29:26,1; Craig Anderson 29:35,2; Hulio McPike 29:46,3.
Waka Ama O.C.1 Men: Grant Barriball 38:45,1; James Sadler 40:22,2.
Sea kayaks: Sandy Winterton 38:39,1.

Today being the last race of the Series for 2008 it was time to check to see who was leading each of the catergories. Series Points to date

Surf ski Men Sea Kayak Men
Craig Anderson 26 Dave Fisher 24
Chester Burt 26 Pete Notman 15
Kevin O'Connor 10 Sandy Winterton 8
Sea Kayak WomenDianne Morgan 8

OC1 Women OC1 Mens
Raewyn Anderson 12 Joern Scherzer 28
Mereana Mike 12 Neil O'Brien 17
Anita Taggart 10 Grant Barriball 10

OC 6 Leading Club (total points)Tunui 23 ManaPasifika
Kokiri 16 Kokiri Tai Patu
Taranaki Whanui 8 Tunui a Te Ika

www.surfskiandwakaama.blogspot.com for latest information

Seasons greetings to you all.

Thanks for supporting the Series in 2008 catch up with you all in the New Year, also best wishes to those competing in the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals in mid January.

regards,

Chester and Sharlene