Race 5 @ Shelly Bay

Shelly Bay was wired to the conditions that paddlers like today, being winter and everything...............it was fine warm and a reasonably flat with only the odd motor boat wake causing an extra ripple or two on the water.

By the time we'd packed up and had a cuppa and a snack at the legendary Chocolate Fish Cafe at Shelly Bay it had reached 24 degrees nice and toasty warm in this sheltered bay.

Really Impressed to see the Stand Up Paddle Boarders out in force again, they are really going to be one of the flagship watersports plying their sport on our Regions waterways over the summer months, if their current participation is anything to go by. For many people who aren't aware of the SUP culture...........many of the people either come from a surfing background or are into wind or kite surfing when nature delivers the goods.................then there are many who think SUP's are just so damned cool and get into it.............. SUP's are also sneaking into the Surf Life Saving Clubs and Waka Ama Clubs.

Though the SUP's are boosting numbers at our events, we never get ahead of ourselves and always recognise the great support we have coming from the Regions Waka Ama Clubs..............they are the backbone of the Series without a doubt.

We could refer you onto the Clubs by viewing the website links left of the page.............but the best point of contact is to come down to the Series, and mingle with the people who attend the races every 3 weeks, it's good opportunity to ask questions and also try out some craft after the race.

The "Winter Paddle Series" is proudly supported by Fergs Kayaks Wellington.

Jörn and Tania will be your hosts for the next race of the Series................... on Sunday August 26 out at Nga Titoa Domain

Thanks to Sharlene for doing all the important work today "running the show"........ registration, timing and photos..............hey I did shout her lunch though!

Click on any of the photos to enlarge the set......... also view the slideshow on the right hand side of page.

Below is a link to a video taken by Kevan Anderton yesterday...........supplied courtesy of Glenn Butcher.  

http://vimeo.com/46957955?action=share

SUP's 4.5

30:49 Howie Clarke
31:57 Glenn Butcher                                                           
33:57 Chris Mark
38:19 Scott Viner
38:58 Nick Kapica
39:35 Katie Townsend(Womens)

42:27 Neal "Movie Guy" Luka

45:45 Ilka Kapica (Womens)

W6's 9 km

51:11TuWaka Nui (Womens)
52:03 Moutere Hikoikoi (Womens)


W1's 9 km

49:24 Jörn Scherzer
51:25 James Sadler
54:24 Rick Kopa
54:30 Chris Fox (womens)
55:56 Sefo Misky

57:31 Terry Gardiner

Kayaks 9 km

47:38 Rodney Wallace

59:27 Sheila Hart (Womens)

Surf skis 9 km

45:02 Mike Tate
45:22 Chester Burt
48:19 Matt Flannery