The Bing Lee LG Ocean Series Race 3 Bondi to Watsons Bay Ocean Race

Bondi Beach The third race of the Bing Lee LG Ocean Series in association with Epic Kayaks got off to a great start on a picture perfect Spring day. The Pacific Ocean was flat with a very light 7km NNW wind on a .5 meter NE swell which meant the race direction had to be from Bondi to Watsons Bay. Given the flat conditions with little wind it was going to be a very hard and fast 12km sprint. The race start was positioned in the Southern end of Bondi right under the famous Iceberg swimming pool and restaurant providing some visual entertainment for the breakfast crowd. It was then a direct line up the coast to South Head and around into Sydney Harbour with the only turning point at the lighthouse off Watsons Bay with a 500m sprint into the Beach at the Watsons Bay pub for beers and burgers.

The starter buoys were well placed with enough distance to get 150 paddlers lined up allowing a clean start. The threat of disqualification for anyone going before the gun ensured a fair start.

The paddling conditions delivered a mix of flat water, coastal backwash bump and harbour cross‐chop for the 150 starters. The usual pace setters streaked out to the front with Murray and Dave Smith taking an early lead closely followed by Nathan Smith and Cade Barnes. After 2 kilometres Nathan caught a few runners and maneuvered into first place. TJ took a wider line off the rocks, and by the time South head came into view it was Murray first into the harbour with TJ and Nathan in single file close behind. Cade Barnes , Tony Schumacher and Michael Locke were 30 Seconds back tussling it out with Adam Rowe in hot pursuit.

Once into the harbour TJ managed to accelerate onto some small reef swells to snatch the lead again from Murray where he stayed to the finish. Nathan Smith followed very closely into 3rd place with Cade Barnes 4th and ony Schumacher 5th. Michael Locke came 6th and Adam Row 7th. Kelly Jury, from the Gold Coast took 1st Place in the women’s division with Auren Smith 2nd and Mel Pelly 3rd.The doubles race was won by father and son Michael and Ben Kirby

This year the surf boat division increased to 25 starters with some exciting racing.

Thanks to all the sponsors, The Watsons Bay Hotel for an excellent venue, drinks and food, Hahn Super Dry for thirsty paddlers, and Dial before you Dig.

Greg and the team from the Bondi Surf Club delivered yet another excellent event, well organized and thoroughly enjoyed by all who participated.