Trans Taupo SUP Race

Awesome day! The trans-taupo was organised by Nick Reader and his team at Epic Events, Im pretty sure this the first time the event's had the stand up paddle class. The morning started off with a fairly brisk breeze, and as the 12 paddlers were transported by boat out to the start-line 20k upwind it became clear that the water state was going to be challenging - but full credit to the guys paddling - they all made it to the finish. Boards ranged from 16ft race weapons to the ever popular naish all-rounders, which did much better than you'd expect, showing that skill and talent are more important than the latest race board. The chop was pretty rugged and didn't have a lot of rythym for the first half of the race which saw most paddlers being knocked off by the rogue side chop at some stage. The paddle home was much easier once they got around the point and the water cleaned up a bit (mind you i was only taking pics - might pay to ask some of the competitors what they thought). Great event - hope to see lots more like it in the Bay in the future, maybe an event like a lakes classic taking in 5 of the local lakes over a few weekends would be good, with distances to suit novices so we can encourage the social paddlers to get involved? Dunno - let's wait see what the organisers out there can come up with...

To see my photos of the event
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60798048@N06/sets/72157626301483040