The 2018 SUP Triple Crown
2-4 June 2018
Following on from the success of the last two midwinter Far North Triple Crown SUP events, this year we are proud to bring you an even more exciting schedule.
All three events will be held in the Bay of Islands, over the Queen's Birthday Weekend. The overall plan is the same; a late start on Saturday, and an early finish on Monday, to allow those from further afield plenty of time to make it to/from home. Or to enjoy the huge range of other activities available in the Bay of Islands (see the 'other attractions' page)
However, this year, we are keeping our options open until the very last moment, to ensure that the event offers the widest possible variety of racing. Ideally, we'd like to achieve a decent downwinder, some fun surf/technical racing, and some good flat water racing too. (Or, for those for whom downwinders/technical racing sound a bit offputting, a variety of interesting flat water races in safe sheltered locations).
- The Saturday Surprise will be entirely dependent on the conditions. Either a downwinder, some technical racing, or if there's no wind or surf, a longer scenic course around the bay.
- The Stone Store Stand-Up on Sunday will remain the flagship event - multiple laps around a short course in the Kerikeri Basin with lots of corners, lots of opportunities to overtake, junior fun races and some fabulous spectator sport
- The Paihia Power Paddle on Monday will offer flat water racing over a variety of distances, and junior racing. For the topflight, the race will be dependent on the conditions, and if at all possible, different to what was achieved on the Saturday. Either a downwinder, some technical racing, or a longer scenic course around the bay.
As before, each day will be a standalone event in its own right, with placings and prizes.
However, those entering all three events will also accumulate scores for the overall series. Yellow jerseys will be issued after day 1, and overall series prizes awarded at the end of the three day series. So consistency will be the key!
Race Fleets
Competitors can choose to race in one of the following fleets
- Topflight. The most experienced and pro male and female racers. Boards to be 14'0 or under. Topflight racers must expect to get challenged with longer races and tougher conditions. (Whether this fleet even happens will of course depend on whether any topflight competitors choose to enter!)
- Open Class. This is the class for the 'weekend warriors' - all those of you who own a raceboard and love to race, but recognise that you're not going to be representing NZ at the World Champs any time soon. Boards 14'0 and under. The full range of age categories will be on offer, so lots of medals up for grabs in this fleet. (There will also be a 12'6 womens category).
- One Design!. New for this year, we have a large fleet of identical 13'2 x 30" Red Paddle Co Voyager boards to use, courtesy of Red Paddle Co NZ. Yes, we supply the boards - you don't even need to bring your own! (There is a small charge of $25 per day for the board hire). These boards are fast yet stable and user-friendly. Everyone on the same board makes it even more fun. Age categories will be set according to entries, as will the courses.
- Surfboards / Socials Those wanting to participate, but not necessarily to race hard (or maybe you do, but don't have a raceboard!).
- Junior Racers. Short course races on the Sunday and Monday, for youngsters wanting to have a go.
Entries on inflatable boards will be encouraged in the Open class and the Surfboards/Socials class. All entrants will be asked to state whether they are racing on solid boards or inflatables, and if there are 3 or more inflatables racing in any age category then separate prizes may be awarded, at the discretion of the race team.
Age Categories
Age categories for the open fleets are:
- Junior (U13)
- Youth (U17)
- Open
- Masters (50+)
- Veterans (65+)
in both sexes. A minimum of 3 entrants will be required to validate a category for prizes, otherwise entrants will be classified in the next most appropriate category. (example: if only one person enters as a veteran woman in 12'6 race class, their result will be scored in the masters category (assuming there are at least 2 other masters!)).
