The Lion Island Challenge is on Saturday October 12th, 2013. This your opportunity to paddle around iconic Lion Island from the back of Palm Beach, NSW, Australia. Race at this stage includes ocean and spec skis, SUPs, racing mals and 12 foot and unlimited paddleboards. Sups have an 8km course and ocean ski's 14km. More details to follow. Updates can be found here: www.facebook.com/TheLionIslandChallenge.
For some last year was there first race ever on a Sup and we welcome all paddlers to participate or support. Some 150-200 competitors are expected for one of the best races on the Australian racing calendar.
Avalon Beach Surf Lifesaving Club runs the Lion Island Challenge and will provide water safety. Put this one your paddling calender and tell your friends. A great day out. Last year free parking was arranged. More details to follow.
Nice one Stewie. Will try make this one again this year.
Still remember Andy Davies leading solidly to lion island 2 years ago then only doing one 90 degree turn at the island and paddle up towards Brooklyn. Giving up an easy win.
He'll be pumped this year to get the course right I'd say. Paddling fast again to boot.
Sam that's great news. I wonder if we can coax Dave Kissane out of retirement ??? Have not seen the champion in a while and what about the Domin brothers??? A great challenge for the fast Queenslanders. Terrene Black has penciled herself in so if you want a measuring stick girls measure up on Sat October 12th :) Here is a photo from last years podium, any chance of the flying Steve Morrison defending his title???
For those not familiar with this amazing area her is a little video I shot back in 2009, bit embarrassing but here goes:
This is a great time to remind you all of two great races (three actually) coming up on the northern beaches Sydney soon.
Sunday 22 September: Reef2Reef
Sunday 6th October: A SupExplore Gem : The Lion Island Challenge.
Oh and there is that other race in between Bop it's called I think.
...................................................................................................................................
Official categories for The Lion Island Challenge: A SupExplore Gem : Best I could do:
Male: 12.6 and under, 14 foot and under
Female: 14 foot and under
...................................................................................................................................
CORRECTION: EVENT DATE IS SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER : APOLOGIES.
This is a great time to remind you all of two great races (three actually) coming up on the northern beaches Sydney soon.
Sunday 22 September: Reef2Reef Sunday 6th October: A SupExplore Gem : The Lion Island Challenge. CORRECTION: SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER
Oh and there is that other race in between Bop it's called I think.
...................................................................................................................................
Official categories for The Lion Island Challenge: A SupExplore Gem
Male: 12.6 and under, 14 foot and under
Female: 14 foot and under
...................................................................................................................................
Safety Update:
The Lion Island Challenge: No PFD required for SUP's but a leg leash is compulsory.
Great racing at reef2reef on Sunday. Big turn out. I'm off to Bop for a week or so. Will try to keep you updated as best I can. Try to keep this post up there and keep the interest growing. Thank you. Stuart
Select to expand quoteWINDSURFnSNOW said..
Nice one Stewie. Will try make this one again this year.
Still remember Andy Davies leading solidly to lion island 2 years ago then only doing one 90 degree turn at the island and paddle up towards Brooklyn. Giving up an easy win.
He'll be pumped this year to get the course right I'd say. Paddling fast again to boot.
I think he was heading for some fish and chips at Patonga..
Just paddled past Barrenjoey headland and it smells like burn toast. Here is what us up for grabs this year. Later will post picture of the perpetual trophy .
Important safety update. All paddlers need to bring along a Hi Visibilty race vest and a leg rope. I surfed a few rights of the tip of the Lion this morning and she is ready.
Free parking pass till 12 noon is supplied in the awesome racers goody bag.
Perpetual Trophy just finished.
Handmade by me.
Wood in marble.
Lots of lucky door prises to be won and a cool show bag.
Cheers, see you Saturday.
Stuart
Looks awesome Stuey. I hear the defending champ, Steve Morrison, has had a Mountain Bike accident and is out. So that gives everybody else a chance to get on the perpetual trophy. If you haven't been around Lion Island you have to do this race - hopefully you will get a right hand peeler down the north side of the island 
Select to expand quotekissa said..
Looks awesome Stuey. I hear the defending champ, Steve Morrison, has had a Mountain Bike accident and is out. So that gives everybody else a chance to get on the perpetual trophy. If you haven't been around Lion Island you have to do this race - hopefully you will get a right hand peeler down the north side of the island
What direction will the course be going with the expected NNE belter during the day ?
Might have thought rounding left to right would give you the best run home.
Although right to left would give you the potential sweet run down the back of the lion then a still good run back from there.
Fun either way.
Looks like the sun will shine tomorrow. All the Sup crew bring their gear to and hang at the SuoExplore tent. Best of luck to all racers tomo.
What a great turn out and race. Well over 40 racers I guess. Thank you to all who helped. Some preliminary results and photos...
Sam Parker 14 foot. Terrene Black 14 foot. John Engel 12.6
Thanks for all of your efforts today Stuart. What a great turn out for the SUPs. Has to be one of the best water ways in the world to paddle. A couple of shots my son took from the boat today.
Great video Paul. Really captured the day. Can't believe you got it out within 4 hours. Hope the back improves and you can race again next year buddy.
Fantastic vid Chapo.
Looks like a fun paddle - almost wished the surf wasn't cranking so I could have gone in it.
Select to expand quoteCasso said..
Fantastic vid Chapo.
Looks like a fun paddle - almost wished the surf wasn't cranking so I could have gone in it.
No you don't.
