Paddle Round The Pier Race - Sunday 4th July 2010 Results

First of all I apologise for the time it has taken to get these results up.  The race raised a variety of questions that we needed to consider which I will go into later in this update.

The race was held in pretty strong SSW conditions and we raced from Hove Lagoon to the Paddle Round the Pier site by West Pier.  We had a couple of international entrants with Eric Terrien and Reynaud entering the 12ft 6" and below class and doing really well.  Eric won his class and pulled significantly ahead of the pack.

The race was hard with a fair swell running and a strong wind that was cross onto the racers backs, but we can't have perfect conditions everytime and I think it is fair to say that the guys from a surfing background had the better of the conditions by trying to link together the running waves when they could.  Jock Patterson was using the conditions and his brand new Naish board to full advantage in the 12ft 6" and above class and Elliot Dudley caught a fantastic wave to the finish line from way out beyond the buoy, riding it left and right onto the beach.

The race also raised controversy with some competitors kneeling down for long periods of time and other racers raising this as an issue.  Also some racers did not round the last buoy into the finish.  After a lot of thought and checking the rules we will let this result stand, however we are updating the rules to say that you can only kneel and paddle for a maximum of five strokes to gain momentum, then you must be up on your feet, this is stand up paddling after all.  Also if you miss a buoy you have to go back round it or you will get a DNC result.  Please everyone pay attention to the race briefing - if you are not sure please ask, none of the race organisers will mind going through route as many times as you need.

Thanks to Iain and Jenny from Wicked Wedge for their support in donating wicked wedge inflatable loungers for prizes www.wickedwedge.co.uk and also thank-you to Errant Surf for donating the surf holiday as a first prize.

So here are the results:

12ft 6" and under class Men

1. Eric Terrian : 19:14
2. Mark Slater: 20:34
3. Renaud Noyelle : 21:33
4. Charlie Grey : 22:12
5. John Hibbard: 22:31
6. Richard Morton: 22:47
7. James Hardy: 24:00
8. Richard Tilly: 25:14
9. Dave Robinson: 25:15
10. Robin Williams: 26:20
11. Jez Tate: 26:51

12ft 6" and above class Men

1. Elliot Dudley : 20:00
2. Jock Patterson : 20:20
3. Bobby Thatcher: 22:41
4. Matt Argyle: 22:59
5. Ryan James: 24:28

12ft 6" and under Women

1. Anabel Anderson : 24:34

12ft 6" and above class Women

1. Claire Blacklock: 28:54