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New Zealand Long Distance Surf Ski Championships
10 March 2008
The New Zealand Long Distance Surf Ski Championships were held off Takapuna Beach on Sunday 10 March 2008. While everyone prayed for the howling northerly that cancelled the World Championship Tornado racing the previous weekend, that would have sent paddlers on a 15km straight downwind run from Torbay, it was not to be. The afternoon turned into a scorcher, with a light puffy westerly – ideal for sunbathing not downwind paddling!
But, over 30 paddlers lined up for the 16.3km race. The course took paddlers 2km off shore, completing three laps of a 4km circuit – a course that meant paddlers could keep an eye on each other and monitor any breaks.
The race started with Tim Grammer leading the bunch at a blinding pace. A break away group of four paddlers including Paul Wilford, Tamas Pinter and Simon McLarin hung on to Tim’s wash for the first 4km. Paul Wilford and Tamas Pinter took turns dragging Simon and Tim through the course. Eventually Tim dropped behind, leaving three paddlers. Simon, who paddled strategically throughout the race, dropped Paul and Tamas in a sprint to the finish. Special mention goes to Bernard Sommer from Tauranga who showed good form paddling strongly to finish fifth overall.
Katie Pocock, currently ranked first in the World Cup circuit, lead the women’s field from the start. In her typical race fashion, she started strong and throughout the race increased her lead, finishing 11th overall, behind her brother Jason Pocock.
Katie and Paul Wilford are currently preparing to race the 32 mile Molokai World Championship. They’ll be lining up with some of the world’s greatest paddlers on the island of Molokai on Sunday 18th May to race back to Oahu. Auckland’s King of the Harbour, a 28km paddle around Auckland’s Rangitoto Island is the next race in their build up to Molokai, followed by the 30km race which is part of Waka Fest in Tauranga on 4 April and then finishing with the 45km Trans Taupo crossing on 12 April. Information for all these races can be found on www.surfski.co.nz.
