| The Big One // Event 05 June 2011 By: Andrew Cassidy Location: One Mile Beach It wasn't big in terms of numbers - just seven hard core guys and three even harder core girls but it was big in terms of conditions - quite possibly the biggest the world has ever seen for a SUP race, yes that's right - the world. The 2011 NSW State Titles SUP Surf Race will go down in history as one of the most challenging courses ever run. Five foot closeouts thumping down on a shallow bank with three in-and-outs making up the three kilometre course. It was going to be entertaining for the spectators, petrifying for the competitors. Boards were measured and signed-off to confirm all were regulation 12'6", instructions were given, competitors were lined up and the hooter sounded. Most people headed straight out, hoping for a lull in the sets. I ran wide looking for the channel which had proved to be occasionally easier to negotiate during the morning's surfing heats. Most people paddled the first 80 metres to the impact zone without too many issues. Then they came. Dark lines on the horizon, feathering along their crests in the offshore wind. There must have been ten of them. They hit us all hard, very hard, except for Roger "Dogman" Saunders who was just that extra five metres ahead of the pack which allowed him to pierce through the pitching lip of the first one instead of getting mowed down by it like the rest of us. My so-thought advantageous vantage point from over in the channel gave me no protection from the invading walls of water. It was a yard sale for the entire fleet except the Dogman who had reached the first buoy by the time we had all recovered our boards.   With the minor placings constantly changing throughout the three laps due to the lottery of the outbound legs - some egos were shattered and some racers were ecstatic - most had a combination of these emotions at differing stages, during the 20 minutes of torture. Lengthy beach sprints and lots of board carrying stints between punishments in the surf helped to emphasise the unfitness of the (mainly) aging male competitors. Embarrassment but also entertainment all round. Fun stuff.        Congratulations to Roger Saunders and Terrene Black who were first over the line for the men and women respectively. Thanks to VB for sponsoring the race and providing the great prizes and thanks to Surfing NSW for organising such an "entertaining" course. Final placings: Mens: 1 - Roger Saunders (Hobie) 2 - Michael Stokes (Fanatic) 3 - Simon Dodd (C4) 4 - Jason McManus (Hobie) 5 - Richard Finlay-Jones (C4) 6 - Andrew Cassidy (DEEP Oceanboards) 7 - Dylan Henry (C4) Womens: 1 - Terrene Black (C4) 2 - Elyse Comerford (C4) 3 - Hannah Finlay-Jones (C4 - 9'3" Sub Vector!) | |
