The COREBAN Great Melbourne Race

It is with great pleasure that COREBAN International and Stand Up Paddle Victoria (SUP VIC) combine to present the inaugural running of THE GREAT MELBOURNE PADDLE, launching the 2010/11 Summer season on Victoria’s Port Phillip Bay.

Slated for Sunday 5th December, THE GREAT MELBOURNE PADDLE brings together Stand Up Paddle (SUP) with Ironman style Prone Paddle Boarding, and welcomes participants of all ages, experience and abilities.

To be held at picturesque Green Point, Brighton Beach, THE GREAT MELBOURNE PADDLE will be a family friendly day featuring kids races, social paddling, a 2km short course social race, and the blue riband Legends of the Bay 8km race. If conditions permit the 8km main event will be run between Ricketts Point, Beaumaris and Green Point. Reputations will be made and old scores settled as the cream of Victoria’s crop goes toe-to-toe with interstate raiders in this flat water classic.

Also on hand will be internationally renowned OC1 and SUP champion Woogie Marsh to provide invaluable paddling tips. Additionally, Woogie will be conducting a clinic on Saturday 4th December outside SHQ café, Jetty Rd Sandringham, focussing on correct stroke technique and injury prevention. And hopefully Woogie’s expert advice will help you improve your skills and get amongst the prizes on the day.

Speaking of which, SUP VIC is pleased to welcome Bendigo Bank Sandringham Branch,Island Tribe Sun Protection, and SHQ Boardsports as prize sponsors of THE GREAT MELBOURNE PADDLE with more sponsors to be announced in the coming days. The event will recognise Juniors, Women and Open champions in both SUP and Prone Paddle Boarding across the short and long course races. Additionally, lucky draw prizes will be awarded so all competitors are in with a chance to go home a winner.

Competitor entry on the day will be $20 for the 2km short course race or $30 for the 8km Legends of the Bay race. However pre-registration online prior to race day will earn a $10 discount. To redeem your discount pre-register now click here.

So whether you’re the next Danny Ching or Jamie Mitchell, or whether you just like to cruise about and have fun, get out on the water and get training, get fit, and get ready for the inaugural running of THE GREAT MELBOURNE PADDLE.

lovely sad true story

Colours of the Rainbow

New KIA KAHA Stock Paddles in Store Now

Noosa Surf Works - Noosaville QLD

Bluewater Players - Noosa Junction QLD

Funs Back Surf - Cottosloe WA

Greenline SUP Store - Mermaid Beach QLD

All Above Board - Lennox Heads NSW

More Stores to come Near you.

Gold Coast Cup Relay Video

1 Man Relay with Woogie(www.jamie-mitchell.com) from Jamie Mitchell on Vimeo.

Paddle for a Life

Background

The Torres Straits encompasses an area of 48,000 square kilometers and contains 20 Island communities. Traditionally travel in this area is by vessel. Due to this fact the Torres Straits has the highest annual number of Search and Rescues incidents throughout Australia.

An audit of Search and Rescue incidents within the Torres Straits has revealed that in the majority of circumstances a lack of awareness of maritime legislation and safety requirements has been a contributing cause.

A lack of awareness on the requirements of and legislation relating to maritime safety is a contributor to such incidents occurring and a major concern for stakeholder agencies coordinating and responding to such incidents.

Through on going meetings and discussions with Water Police, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Volunteer Marine Rescue and Customs, it was revealed that there is an ongoing need for maritime safety awareness and education in the Torres Straits.
Torres Strait Islander communities are to be made aware of the following:

• Maritime safety legislation
• Maritime safety requirements
• Marine safety strategies

It was proposed that members of Thursday Island Police and stakeholder agencies conduct Maritime Safety Awareness information sessions and associated projects.




Project

Thursday Island Police have initiated Project ‘Paddle for a Life’ which is a significant Torres Strait Island hopping, outrigger marathon, crewed by indigenous and non indigenous stakeholder agency representatives within the Torres Straits. This project aims to increase maritime safety awareness by people living in Island communities throughout the Torres Strait and at the same time reduce the number of Search and Rescue incidents in the area. This in turn would reduce the enormous financial expenditure in managing search and rescue incidents.
Project ‘Paddle for a Life’ will be a three phase project as per the following:
• Phase One – Conduct an outrigger marathon commencing at Darnley Island (Erub Island) via a number of Torres Strait Islands and finishing at Thursday Island.
• Phase Two – Project stakeholder agencies to conduct maritime safety presentations at Islands visited throughout the marathon period.
• Phase Three – Generate significant local, state and national, print and electronic media interest into Search and Rescue activities within the Torres Strait during phases one and two.

Project Itinerary and Route

This project intends to commence on the 31 January 2011 which will see participating stakeholder agencies travel to Darnley Island and commence the marathon on the 1st February 2011 from Darnley Island.

This commencing date has been chosen due to the fact the sea conditions at this time of the year and predicted tides are most favorable and is traditional the peak period for search and rescues in the Torres Strait area.

The proposed itinerary and route of the marathon is as follows:

Day One – Darnley Island to York Island (Presentation at York Island)
Day Two – York Island to Coconut Island (Presentation at Coconut Island)
Day Three – Coconut Island to Yam Island (Presentation at Yam Island)
Day Four – Yam Island to Kai Reef (overnight anchorage)
Day Five – Kai Reef to Mabuiag Island (Presentation at Mabuaig Island)
Day Six – Mabuiag Island to Badu Island (Presentation at Badu Island)
Day Seven – Badu Island to Thursday Island (Finishing ceremony at Thursday Island)

The total distance travelled over the marathon will be approximately 148 nautical miles over a 7 day period.

Sponsorship/Donations sought

From this letter we are trying to source some paddles for the project and any help in this area would be greatly appreciated.

Jarrad BANKS
Senior Constable 18977
Thursday Island Police Station
Ph. 4069 1520
Fax. 4069 1432

Jamie Mitchell On a Kia Kaha Hiko

JAMIE MITCHELL

With the Gold Coast Cup Relay just around the corner Woogie needed a Partner to do the 35 Km OC1 Relay. Who better than Jamie Mitchell.

Check out a little clip of him test riding the Kia Kaha Canoes & Paddles Hiko Canoe at Currumbin Alley.