It's Business Time!

The Australian Ocean Racing Season has hit the pointy end with some of the biggest races of the year lined up over the next month. Vaikobi is part of each and every one of these races and we look forward to showing you all our latest new products along the way.

Starting this weekend, there is a plethora of racing in Perth, Hong Kong and Wollongong, NSW as all the big (and medium sized) guns flex their muscles as they build up to the big one- The Doctor on the 29th of November.

The Doctor is then followed by the Iconic 20 Beaches Classic in Sydney on December 13th.

So If you are up for it the next month is sure going to test your endurance!

FENN WEST COAST DOWNWINDER

This weekend we have The Fenn West Coast Downwinder in Perth, hosted by the Indian Ocean Paddlers which runs from Port Beach Fremantle to Sorrento Beach over 24 km and is Race 4 of the Anytime Fitness/ Mens Health Australian Ocean Racing Series. Vaikobi's Michael Booth will be looking to claim some good points to keep him up the top of the standings after some strong results so far. Entries at: https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/Register.aspx?E=14487

SEA CLIFF CHALLENGE

Back on the East Coast, the Sea Cliff Challenge hosted by Wollongong Paddlers and Bulli SLSC will be run in what is predicted to be some great North Easterly Sea Breeze conditions. This race is being re-run after the first attempt was cancelled on Nov 1st due to extreme conditions. This is sure to be a great race and the hospitality from the Wollongong Paddlers will be top notch as usual! Entries at: https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/Register.aspx?E=14517

THE DRAGON RUN

The Annual Dragon Run in Hong Kong will once again see some of the worlds top contenders turn up to take on the challenging course. Vaikobi's Tim Jacobs has chosen the Dragon Run as his key warm up race before the Doctor the week after in Perth and will be gunning for his third title. There will be a Vaikobi $250 RRP prize for the Male and Female who finishes exactly at the top of the 2nd half of the overall field in their respective divisions.

AND THE BIG ONE....THE DOCTOR

Held on November 28th, The NELO/FENN Doctor will this year be the unofficial World Championship of Surfski paddling judging by the talent that is descending on Perth to race.

The 27km Course runs from Rottnest Island to Sorrento Beach with Perth's famed "Fremantle Doctor" generating perfect downwind conditions. Also part of the Anytime Fitness/ Men's Health Australian Ocean Racing Series, The Nelo/Fenn Doctor is a 3 star points race which could decide the overall season winner.

Vaikobi's TJ, Michael Booth, Murray Stewart and Austin Kieffer will be on the line and ready to be challenged by the strong South African contingent led by the current ICF World Ocean Ski Champion Sean Rice, Hank McGregor and brothers Jasper & Dawid Mocke.

This year's Doctor is set to be a cracker and Vaikobi will be on the ground providing regular updates.

Entries at: http://www.oceanpaddler.com/events/the-doctor/ 

20 BEACHES OCEAN CLASSIC

The 20 Beaches Ocean Classic is an iconic race which over the past twenty odd years has brought together the best ocean paddlers from around Australia to compete on a 25km downwind race track from Freshwater Beach to Palm Beach in Sydney- Wind Direction dependent.

Under new race management, the 20 Beaches Ocean Classic organisers are planning a great event for the 2014 race to maximise enjoyment for competitors both on and off the water. This is going to be a race not to miss!

Australia's best ocean paddlers will be all fighting to end the year on top whilst within the pack old rivalries will be reignited and new rivalries born.....always settled over a beer at the finish of course..

If conditions are anywhere as good as 2013, it is set to be another cracking race.

Entries at: https://www.registernow.com.au/secure/Register.aspx?E=14793 

So there you have it, a month of intense ocean racing action in store. We wish all competitors the best of luck and fingers crossed for perfect conditions.

Vaikobi will be present at all events and we look forward to seeing you on the water.


Patrick Langley
Patrick Langley

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