Well you wouldn’t believe it, another day of east wind for the Mandurah paddle.....aren’t we supposed to be one of the windiest places on the earth??Big thank you to our major sponsor Spirit Paddle Sports for the tremendous support, to Brownes and Fonterra Foods for their backing in this year’s series, and to Shotz Sports Nutrition, Water Boys and Pure Blonde for keeping us all well hydrated.
Again we acknowledge the support of SLSWA, especially for supplying the water safety on race day - everyone felt very well looked after out there again!
The Spirit Paddle Mandurah Classic was run for the first time on this 12.7km course “Dawesville Pyramids Beach to Halls Head or Doddies Beach”. The event attracted 63 Competitors and around - 100 spectators.
The competitors faced offshore Easterly winds slightly in the tail.
The newly formed Indian Ocean Paddles Club has contacted local Indians to obtain training in bringing the South Westerly winds. Song and dance seems to be the call according to Chief IOP Leader Dean Beament. Dean was seen late Saturday night with number of young squaws singing and dancing to ABBAs Mamma Mia. This is the sort of dedication we like to see!!
Early on in the race
After a fair start from race director David Hunt the group took off at a quick pace with Brendon Sarson and Reece Baker doing the early leads. Marcus “The Blade” Brockhurst strong and confident from his King of the Cape win did some very strong efforts to break the pack up. After 15min of paddling the packthinned to Reece, Brendon, Marcus, Steve Bird (noted South African kayak paddler) and Ash “The Truck” Nesbit hanging in there nicely with the young fellas.Mid race saw the pace slow a little according to “The Truck”. Ash said he wanted a good training session out of the race so he took up the leads at this point with Marcus and Reece responding. First to drop was the young SA paddler Steve Bird (faded badly back to 15th). Next was Brendon....in Brendon’s defence he had done a kayak regatta the morning of the race and had spent 3 days in hospital the week before with an infected foot after the adventure race down in the south of WA.
The Finish
2km from the finish the pace really increased with a drag race forming between to the 2 big boys Marcus and Reece. Ash by this stage was hanging on for dear life!! Coming into the turning mark with 600m to go both Reece and Marcus were side by side....what a race!! The pair pushed each other down the course away from the finish flags, for a 100m run finish. Big Reece Baker took off like a 20 hand race horse on the beach to pip Marcus by 5m or 1sec. This was one of the best finishes seen in recent years!!
Nick Taylor came 12 overall, but took out the +40 prize in front of Big Steve Ford.
The Women’s race was won by up and comer Lara Taylor completing a big 2 weeks of paddling after taking out the first round of the SLSWA sprint races last weekend. Not far behind was Julie Jenkinson in 2nd place capping off a great paddle from the Jenkinson family after young Mitchell and father Rob won the double ski. Let it be known though Mitchell was heard saying during the race.....”Are we there yet Dad” a little like Donkey out of Shrek!!
Again thank you for supporting the Spirit Paddle Sports Mandurah Classic Paddle - see you all on the 14th of December for the SPIRIT PADDLE SPORTS FREMANTLE to MINDARIE RELAY!
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