THE FORSTER ISLAND PADDLE CHALLENGE UPDATE
Planning for one of the biggest events to hit the paddling calendar is well underway and we wanted to share a few updates with you.
The event is being run over 2 days on the weekend of 14th and 15th of February and will be based in the beautiful sea side town of Forster. Forster has some of the most pristine water around and the lakes system there is awesome to paddle.
At present 2 mini busloads of paddlers are already committed from Queensland and we have quite a bit of interest from Vic and SA. We have fielded calls from the Central Coast and Newcastle. There is a lot of interest within the Sydney SUP crew and many have already booked their accommodation independently or via LJ Hooker.
The number of companies sponsoring the event is increasing daily. Fanatic and Naish have been behind the event from the beginning and will have plenty of demo gear and displays to view across the whole weekend. The local retailer, Jungle Surf has been instrumental in organisational assistance and their local knowledge and stoke is going to see a huge increase in local paddlers.
The planned format for the weekend involves a BOP event on Saturday. An open event will be run with numerous age divisions followed by a number of fun inflatable races. Saturday night will see corporate teams bidding for elite paddlers to join their team for the relay races on Sunday.
Sunday is the marathon event of a distance to be fully determined 6-10km. There are numerous course options dependent on prevailing wind conditions so the race will run regardless of conditions. Following the distance race there will be a number of corporate and community races.This is going to be a fabulous weekend so put it in your calendar and get training.
Hi All,
Here's the latest information on the event.
On line entries look like opening very soon.
There's going to be more big announcements in the coming weeks , however, in the interim this will give you an idea on plans at this stage.
EVENT INFORMATION
WEEKEND SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
SATURDAY 14TH FEBRUARY 2015
9.00 am Battle of the paddle
Location: Forster main beach
The Battle of the paddle or (BOP) race will kick off the weekend from Forster’s awesome main beach.
This event will race over a distance weather dependant.
The BOP Race will be an M shape course.
12.00 pm Expo commences
Location: Pontoon Memorial Drive
The Forster Island Paddle Festival expo will feature various exhibits relating to the sport
• Stand-up paddle boards, accessories
• Demonstrations
• Lessons
1.00 pm Ski Paddle event
Location: Pontoon Memorial Drive
Forster’s first ski paddle event for the day will cover a 12 km course exploring our beautiful amazing water ways of the Wallis Lake.
The race will start and finish at the pontoon behind Gloria Jeans coffee shop on Memorial Drive
1.00 pm 12 km ski paddle
2.00 pm 6 km ski paddle
3.00 pm 200 m (dash for cash ski paddle) $$$
4.00 pm Expo closes
SUNDAY 15TH FEBRUARY
7.00 am Expo reopens
Location: Pontoon Memorial Drive
Forster’s first ever SUP event will hit the water covering some of the most beautiful majestic water ways you will experience.
We have the pictures to prove it !
7.30 am 10 km SUP race
8.30 am 5 km SUP race
9.30 am 2 km SUP race
10.00 am Corporate Charity Challenge
11.30 am The Berg Building Forster Island Challenge
2.00 pm EVENTS CONCLUDE
Website and online entries will be live in the next couple of weeks, "Stay tuned"
Events and time subject to change
The lakes are a great spot for a paddle.
I was up there 2 weeks ago and hired a Sup and had a good paddle around a few islands.
Tip: don't cut through the oyster farms at low tide. 
Entries are already coming into this event. Check out the website and book you're accommodation. There are a lot of people in town this weekend. If you are thinking of racing it is worth looking at accommodation NOW!! Don't leave it until the last minute.
