The first race of the inaugural International Surfski Paddling Association’s Surfski World Series was held in Perth in January.  South African Dawid Mocke won the race and heads the ISPA World Rankings.

“We’re keeping it really simple for this year,” said ISPA’s Dean Gardiner.  “Seven races, best four results.  Dawid Mocke currently leads the men's rankings; Lauren Bartlett heads the women's rankings.  Well done Daw and Lauren!”

Dawid Mocke is reigning Surfski World Series Champion.

Surfski World Series

The newly formed ISPA took over the administration of the Surfski World Series from the website Surfski.info, which had run it on an informal basis for the preceeding three years.  Surfski.info’s Rob Mousley said, “I’m very happy for the series to be taken over by the ISPA.  We started it off with the intention to raise awareness of the international races and to promote both the sport and the paddlers.

“We succeeded - to the extent that both race organizers and paddlers were taking it increasingly seriously.  So it’s great that an organization started by the paddlers for the global surfski community is going to take it forward.  I'm sure that it's going to grow from strength to strength and will achieve the international recognition that it deserves.”

Events Calendar

The next race is the EuroChallenge 2010 in Spain – being held again in La Vila Joyosa on the Mediterranean coast.

Billy Harker, organiser of the Durban World Cup said that the race is unlikely to be held on the 22 May as originally planned due to circumstances beyond his control.  "The Soccer World Cup is proving to be a huge nightmare," he said.  "Airfares are at least doubled during the the tournament and through to August which severely limits our options."  The event is traditionally held during the first week of July - but has had to be moved for 2010 because of the Soccer World Cup which is being held in South Africa.

ISPA World Rankings

Open Rankings

Category Rankings

What the heck is happening to surfski.info?  What about the World Series?  What’s going on???

After a successful second event in March 2009, Lifestart - in partnership with AROC Sport - is putting on the third edition of Kayak for Kids, its annual fundraising paddling event on Sydney Harbour on Sunday 28 March 2010.

This event has been dubbed the "City2Surf on water" and can be completed by paddlers bringing their own boat or by teams relaying the distance on 3-persons sit-on-tops. It is particularly appropriate for corporations looking for team-building and a good cause, but families, groups of friends and sports teams are sure to have a blast as well.

Event Ambassador

Former Olympic kayaker and five-time world outrigger champion Shelley Oates-Wilding is once again the Event Ambassador.

Kayak for Kids is an exciting and special event on Sydney Harbour that raises funds for Lifestart, an Early Childhood Intervention Service that helps kids with intellectual disabilities or developmental delays from birth to school age achieve the best possible start in life. It is a paddle challenge from Blues Point to Clontarf – a distance of 17.5 km – but it is an event that allows nearly everyone to join in.

HOW…………?

First, the course is broken up into 4 stages. Second, included in the teams entry fee is the hire of a 3-person kayak and equipment for participants who are not regular paddlers and who do not own a kayak. This means teams of up to 12 people can enter, where each person only has to paddle one stage of the course. With each stage being around 4.5 km, as long as you are reasonably fit, you can participate. It is the perfect event for groups of friends, company groups or social groups to join in to.

But there are also challenges for the seasoned paddler who owns his or her own craft, whether a surfski, sea kayak or outrigger! The challenge is open to solo and double craft and, as well as the regular competitive categories, Kayak for Kids will be part of the inaugural PaddleNSW Harbour Racing Series of time trials over the summer months.

But back to Shelley, who will be paddling with her 13-year old son Kai, who is following in his mum’s footsteps and making a name for himself on the kayaking circuit. When asked why she became associated with Kayak for Kids Shelley replied: “Firstly it is because of Lifestart. Their approach to assisting kids is very family-centred and I believe that family is the most important thing we have. Second, they have then created a kayak event which encourages families to be involved either as participants, supporters or just to come along and have a picnic at Clontarf Reserve to cheer in the paddlers … how could I not support it?”

Event Information

• DATE: Sunday, 28th March 2010
• TO REGISTER: http://kayakforkids.com.au
• FUNDRAISING: http://everydayhero.com.au/events/kayak_for_kids_10
• AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW: Shelley Oates-Wilding
• FOR MORE INFORMATION: Christopher Cummings, Fundraising Manager, Lifestart Co-operative Ltd, (02) 9807 9700 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Download the event flyer here

Martin Barnes sent us this photo... taken by his buddy Derek Leitch on 17 August 2009.  Derek has a 24th floor appartment overlooking Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Australia.

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Following the tragic loss of his nine year old daughter to cancer, Craig Goozee decided to paddle, run and cycle 12,500km around Australia to raise $1,000,000 for the Children’s Cancer Institute of Australia…

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Race day dawns - with a brisk 12-13kt SW wind...  Perfect conditions!  

And, true to expectations - the race was... a cracker... 

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The inaugural Investec Mauritius Ocean Classic kicks off tomorrow morning at 10h00 Mauritius time (GMT + 4)...  Anton Erasmus lead the race briefing tonight and revealed his decision on the race course...

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On a recent trip to Europe I was amazed to see no fewer than three copied surfskis offered for sale.  There were copies (with minor deck modifications) of the Epic V10, the Fenn Mako6 and the Fenn XT.  When I asked about the skis, I was told that it was "almost normal in Europe" and that the manufacturers concerned regularly copied K1s and had simply extended their operations to include skis. 

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A clear sign that the popularity of our sport is exploding is evidenced by the number of websites springing up around the world.  Here are a couple of the most recent...

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After pleading guilty to charges of manufacturing and supplying 1,509 ecstasy tablets, former kayaking and surfski star Nathan Baggaley has been handed a nine year jail sentence.  With time already served, he'll be eligible for parole in November 2012.

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