N1SCO 2016 Australian Tour – Stop 1 – Canberra

February 14, 2016, Canberra, Australia – Valentines day dawned clear and calm in Canberra, as just over 50 contestants stole away from their loved ones (or better yet brought them along) for what was another great day of N1SCO racing at stop #1 of the 2016 national tour.

Again utilizing the great amphitheater provided by the Kingston foreshore precinct, Naish Australia, Wetspot Watersports and Capital Sup welcomed paddlers of all levels to this great format event. With this being the third annual N1SCO National Tour event, many had experienced the fun and excitement already and had brought their friends along this year to join in too. With gear provided by Naish Australia, and all set up ready to race we got straight down to it.

The day kicked off with some short 200m sprints, with ten starters to each heat and a 180 degree turn each race, action was fast and close with standout performances by Zak Harding (and Jake Miller in the under 11’s sub category) in the juniors, Angela Crawford and Jo Nelson in the ladies and Tom McQueen and one of our south coast visitor Paul Mackie in the Men’s. It was great to see some new paddlers attempting this race and enjoying the fun that the N1SCO boards and format brings to SUP racing.

The middle distance racing saw our race director Scott from Wetspot Watersports throw the competitors a complex course that made for great paddling with a zigzag course that doubled back on itself and made for even better buoy rounding’s, while breaking up the distance into manageable legs. Again Tom was too quick in the men’s races and avoided the carnage unfolding behind him to take another win from Pete Garbutt. Ange displayed some tactics, shadowing Jo around the course in their qualifying heat to learn the course before again leading Jo across the line in the final. Again Zak Harding led from Ethan Garbutt in the juniors.

With a fresh breeze beginning to blow, the starter and race director moved the markers around to create a square course inside the marina in order to run a two lap distance race. With the full fleet of 25 boards on the water, the two starts were impressive and as the paddlers stretched over the distance there were some great battles played out. Again Tom blitzed the field with a time of 5:35, Jo upset the status quo and smashed out a great time of 6:46 to take the Women’s division and again a great effort from all the juniors saw Zak on top of the podium.

The final race of the day, and arguably the most fun was the teams relay. With teams sorted, silly names picked and some (fairly loose) rules in place the starter sent the first paddlers off. After four short laps, some wet board changeovers and some interference bordering on piracy the “repeat offenders” team made it back onto the dock first to claim the win. A special mention has to go here to young Chloe who stepped in to fill the much needed junior position on one team, battling hard to make her lap for the team and keep them in the race.

A short awards ceremony saw the fastest paddlers rewarded with medals, while lucky door prizes were awarded to many contestants, all adding to the feeling that everyone there on the day was a winner.

We need to thank Naish Australia, for providing the N1SCO boards, paddles and markers for the event as well as JB for his efforts on the day and the provision of prizes. Wetspot Watersports for organizing and running the event along with JB, Paleo Perfection and the Supping Caveman for providing prizes, and everyone that came along to make the day as much fun as it was. See you all at the N1SCO Worlds in November.
Results:

200m:

Juniors:
1. Zak Harding
2. Ethan Garbutt
3. Sam Harding

U11
1. Jake Miller
2. Ethan Shaw
3. Jorja Scott

Womens:
1. Angela Crawford
2. Jo Nelson
3. Kate Miller
4. Cate Hunter

Mens:
1. Tom McQueen
2. Paul Mackie
3. Matt Scott

400m:

Juniors:
1. Zak Harding
2. Ethan Garbutt
3. Sam Harding

Womens:
1. Angela Crawford
2. Jo Nelson
3. Kate Miller

Mens:
1. Tom McQueen
2. Peter Garbutt
3. Paul Mackie

Distance:

Juniors:
1. Zak Harding
2. Ethan Garbutt
3. Sam Harding

Womens:
1. Jo Nelson
2. Angela Crawford
3. Kate Miller