Sometimes, it doesn’t have to be all about the trophies. SUP Events can be fun, light hearted and involve everyone from world class professionals, to the first time paddler. That’s what the Sydney SUP Expo and Scotland Island Race was all about this weekend as part of the Pittwater Festival run by the Royal Motor Yacht Club in Newport.

With a SUP Expo, one design racing, a long distance (kinda) and a shorter fun race for first time racers, this event had it all and brought out a lot of first time racers which is great to see! Chuck Patterson and Riggs Napoleon were both on hand from Naish to show paddlers what professional paddling is like, so were the many sponsors who showed up to support the event by donating prizes and showing off their products at the Expo.

The highlight of the weekend was the 6km paddle around Scotland Island. The relatively short paddle for a professional was as beautiful as you can ask for in the calm waters of the Pittwater. With fancy boards, huge houses and plenty of spectators to distract the paddlers, they fought their way upwind in a light north easter, around the small island and back to the marina. It was certainly a unique way to host a paddling race, and a stark contrast to the usual Battle of the Paddle style finishes we’re so used to seeing on white sandy beaches on the coast.

Riggs Napoleon won the 12’6 division, Toby Cracknell crossed first with a 14 footer under his feet. But in all fairness it wasn’t about the results, this event was about getting the kids out there!

Check out this photo thread to see what we’re on about. It’s so good to see so many young and (very) happy faces on stand up paddle boards.

The Pittwater Festival runs every year by the same people, the Royal Motor Yacht Club in Newport. With the event success this year, you can be sure it’ll be back for 2015! Don’t miss it!

#News #StandUpPaddle #Naish #Paddling #North