As Sledgehammer used to say.........

"Trust me I know what I'm doing"................a few nervous faces this morning especially from some sup paddlers............but maybe they were just looking focused?............Anyhow with 40 kmh North to North Westerlies gusting to 55 kmh and an incoming tide that was absolutely honking through channel into Porirua Harbour it's no wonder.

From experience nothing is impossible and I do research our waterways with an analytical approach to make sure we get it right...........especially for the sups.

The concept of starting the sups across the other side of the channel worked a treat and much thanks must go to Chris Brown from Ocean Outfitters for showing the sups the best way to get across the channel in the slightly gnarly conditions.

Our 3 key Wellington Region SUP retailers were all awesome today Butch from Wind Warrior who bought a few of the boys from Foxton and Palmerston North and Dave McPhee from Wild Winds who was out supporting and shuttling the sup paddlers.

The start from Ngatitoa domain..........after the initial strong gusts in the channel calmed down within 200 metres as paddlers were sheltered by the Onepoto hillside for much of the downwind. As we paddled down the Porirua Harbour everyone must have been muttering where the hell is Whitireia?................mainly because the low cloud and mist meant visibility was down to around 300 metres. The sups had a relatively good run, after a tricky start for them, and finished at the jetty while the other craft had a 1 km upwind back up to the Rowing Club then a 1 km downwind to finish............just to even things up a little.

Big thanks to the good number of people who made it out today.............supporters included.........and the rest of you cruisers out there................. we'll see you once you've all made it back to work again.

Downwinder TWO is...............on February 3 keep an eye out here for details in the 5 days leading up to it
A good day out, if I must say so :-)


3km SUP

22:04 Glenn Butcher 14ft                                        
22:32 Howie Clarke 14ft
23:55 Chas Quin 14 ft
23:55 Chris Brown Under 14
24:52 Jules Bruce-Miller U 14
24:59 Gillian Warren U 14
27:56 Rob Anderson U 14
29:22 Evan Yeoman U 14
30:21 Shawn Wistrand U 14                                            

5km Long course                                                                

30:09 Terry Gardiners crew W6
30:31 Mike Tate SS
31:22 Chester Burt SS                                  
33:37 Jeff Booth SS
35:22 Peki Emery W1
35:25 James Sadler W1
35:58 Karl Timu W1