Rose Bay Challenge 29 April 2012:

On Sunday, Aeolos, the mythical Greek ruler of the winds wanted to ensure the integrity of the Rose Bay Challenge. With this event supporting Lymphoma Australia and assisting them to raise awareness about this little known cancer, we wanted to ensure it was a success.

Luckily for our Rose Bay tribe, the Shark Island Paddlers, we now have technology beyond smoke signals that we can use for a plan around what the spirits have in store. Our day started at 4.45am with a check to the BOM website, there on the front page under the yellow warnings “Strong Wind Warning for Sydney Closed Waters, 25-30 knots from sunrise”.  The first text message beep went out at 5am to wake up those who needed to know, as well partners who didn’t who didn’t need to know.

On Saturday our local tribe discussed a circuit with plan A, B & C based on the strength & final direction of the wind, then paddled it in the late afternoon with our hardy test crew. What we didn’t know was exactly when & how strong the gusts were going to be. A consultation with the Race Director of the neighboring sailing event on the morning revealed they had been on “hectopascal watch” through the night & it was “in the 900’s”… gee, sailors really do talk another language?

Then, a little late but luckily during the briefing, our sunny autumn morning turned from painted blue velvet to “Isobar Grey”.  At the end of the briefing Tommy was able to say knowingly “… and here comes the wind”.

Staring downwind the 62 boats lined up all abreast for start in hip-deep water, although, as usual some anticipated the start. This part of Rose Bay is the shallowest and low tide magnified the effect of “sinkage” which takes about 15% off boat speed in 3 metres of water. After the start when we got to the red marker buoy 500 metres away it was relief to feel like you didn’t a clump of weed on your rudder.

The lead pack of doubles led by Brett Greenwood and Stu Innis; Glen Orchard/Jason Cunningham & Deano & Yanda as well as the singles led by ever-green Cade, Stevie Coulter & Matt Blundell set-up their unassailable lead.  As we rounded the shortened Nielsen Park (officially Shark Beach) turning buoy we all got a taste of what was to come... Was this the Harbor series version of the 1998 Sydney to Hobart? At this point it started to feel like it, and yes there are some terms in common between these two sports which now come to mind like “being on the Grinder”.

Worse was to come as we rounded Steele Point and straight into the now 20 knot southerly, it was hard and boat wash bouncing off the rocks amplified it however at least we could look forward to the down-wind.  Getting into Rose Bay with the combination of the wind and the sinkage made going slow but knowing relief was just around the tinny made for mental relief.

Heading around the Shark Beach buoy then rounding Steele for #2 upwind though was like being in a wind tunnel and testing the ‘break limit’ of carbon paddles. At this point the wind was 30 knots & possibly gusting over 35.. that’s 60-65 km/h straight into it. I was starting to feel muscles I hadn’t felt before, not to mention aching joints. Was this paddling or punishment? 

Round three was marginally worse and by this stage there were some inevitable rescues, big thanks to our dedicated rescue crews on the Paddle NSW boats who the “Hoff” would have been proud of - Mal Odgers, Brett Clancy, John Robson, Greg Doglopolov, Sophie and Dave Edelman. These guys deserve a round of applause; they worked every minute and ended up cold, damp & blue having helped quite a few people.

The final hard haul into Tingira Beach on Round 3 saw a paddle-off battle between the 2 leaders, the double crew of Rabbit & Stu with Cade Barnes a few seconds behind, then again in the 40 something’s between Mattie Blundell & Stevie Coulter. Kimberley Fleming did an admirable job taking out the 40+ Women and Matt Spies also for battling through on the OC1, taking out his category. In fact, everyone who competed in or finished this race deserves a round of applause and a certificate stating “hard-core paddler”.

The presentation saw everyone rugged up and a little blue/grey and enjoying a hot coffee.. those sausages in a roll never tasted better. Thanks to our sponsors Westley Field is having an auction night soon of all his winnings.. just kidding, the prizes were great. Can’t wait to see ??? ‘s new white smile thanks to (sponsor) for the Pittwater Challenge??

A big thanks to Tommy Woodriff and my fellow Shark Island Paddlers, the rescue boat crews, Tony & Tim from Paddle NSW, all the sponsors, and the Bureau of Meteorology.

See you at Pittwater.
Tony Haines
Shark Island Paddlers