Bray Lake has been busy, even over the winter season, with a full schedule of events right through the year. Catch up on the latest SUP racing action at the club to see who’s looking quick so far in 2013!
Bray Lake Christmas Coke Bottle SUP Race (16th December 2012)
February 4th, 2013
December saw the final Bray Lake SUP Race of 2012 and the year ended in style, great conditions, around 20 competitors and some new demo kit to race on. The days racing differed slightly from the usual format, with a 3K race circuit followed by a 200m sprint tournament, as the main events and a short warm up circuit to start.
Bray Lake race action
We ended up having some amazing conditions for racing with very light winds and above average temperatures for December. All the racers arrived about 9.30am ready to go and met with a stash of demo race boards from Nah Skwell, Starboard and Red Paddle Co. Big thanks to Richard and John from Nah Skwell and Sam Ross from Starboard and Red paddle Co, the kit went down a treat.
Healthy Turn Out
Race – 3K
The Bray Lake 3K course was more technical than most, with a total of 5 right and 3 left hand turns. The fleet of 18 set off on a mixture of 12’6, 14’0 and cross over boards, some inflatable and some hard boards. 3K is not an easy distance to pace, but everyone gave it there all and we had some great results from the locals.
Check out the results below (broken down into race class).
14 foot – 3K
- 1st – Sam Ross
- 2nd – Mark Hatton
- 3rd – Simon Hemsley
- 4th – Ali Pereira
- 5th – Sandra Elston
12’6 – 3 K
- 1st – Charlie Grey
- 2nd – Colin Elston
- 3rd – Simon Frost
- 4th – Phil Richards
- 5th – Miles Jones
- 6th – Tom Hicks
- 7th – Mark May
- 8th – Lucy Mccormick
- 9th – Richard Marsh
- 10th – Candice Betts
Ladies – 3K
- 1st – Ali Pereira (board size: 14′)
- 2nd – Lucy Mccormick (board size: 12’6)
- 3rd – Candice Betts (board size: 12’6)
- 4th – Sandra Elston (board size: 14′)
- 5th – Susan Jones Cross
Inflate – 3 K
- 1st – Sam Ross (Board size: 14′)
- 2nd – Phil Richards (Board size: 12’6)
- 3rd – Lucy Mccormick (Board size: 12’6)
The Sprint
Based on 3 and 4 man heats, the sprint tournament was run in a knock out fashion with the first from each heat proceeding to the next round. To make the sprints fare all competitors used 12’6 Red paddle Co race boards.
We ended up with a close final, with Charlie Grey winning with Sam Ross in second. Sam and Charlie faced each other in their first heat and finished at exactly the same time putting them both through. In the final they were both itching to get one over on each other.
Well done to Colin and Mark for winning their races in the B fleet finals (fastest loser’s finals from the opening heats).
Lucy put in an amazing performance in the ladies tournament to come first. See the results below;
Mens Sprint Final
- 1st – Charlie Grey
- 2nd – Sam Ross
- 3rd – Simon Frost
Mens Sprint (B) Final
- 1st – Colin Elston
- 2nd – Mark Hatton 2
Sprint Ladies
- 1st – Lucy Mccormick
- 2nd – Candice Betts
- 3rd – Susan Jones
- 4th – Sandra Elston
A different format from normal, but enjoyed by everyone. The day was topped off with a prize giving, with all the winners in their respective classes receiving Bray Lake branded shot glasses. I think shots were the last thing on everyone’s mind after a long days racing, but the prizes went down well. The next big SUP race will be in the New Year, with our winter race series finals in March and the Bray Lake SUP festival on the 15th – 16th of June. Till then we look forward to seeing all the competitors at the Lake over the coming weeks in preparation.
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