| Date |
Competition/Event |
Location |
Distance |
|
|
| February 14 |
CORA/PNWORCA |
Jericho |
10 km |
|
| Usually route is selected from the following options depending on the weather: A) Racers start at the Jericho pier heading west to the red bell can off Point Grey then back to the pier or B) Racers start at the Jericho pier heading east to a marker then proceeding west to the first, formerly second, dolphin then back to the pier. Usually men and women and both surfskis and outrigger canoes race together, and awards are presented to individual age, gender and boat categories. Safety concerns for this event are the cold air/water temperatures to be expected at this time of year and the course is subject to quite chaotic seas due to onshore or offshore wind combined with tidal current and motorboat wakes. |
| February 22 |
Shack Island Attack |
Nanaimo |
15 km |
|
| Racers start at the northwest corner of Departure Bay with the course taking paddlers along the north shore of the bay then turning left to follow the Georgia Strait exposed shoreline for a few km into the next bay, around Shack Island then return back to the start/finish line in Departure Bay. Usually men and women race separately although the organizers have accommodated women surfski racers wanting to compete with the men and both surfskis and outrigger canoes race together. Safety concerns for this event are the cold air/water temperatures to be expected at this time of year and the course is subject to rough water due to wind and ocean swell. |
| March 7 |
CORA/PNWORCA |
FCRCC |
10 km |
|
| Racers start at the Vanier Park boat launch heading north along the Stanley Park waterfront turning around a marker near Siwash Rock then around the yellow buoy and back to the start/finish line. Usually all racers compete together. Safety concerns for this event are the cool air/water temperatures to be expected at this time of year and the course is subject to chaotic water due to wind, current, ocean swell and motorboat wakes. |
| April 7 |
Tuesday Night Races |
Deep Cove |
Up to 10 km |
|
| 1st race of weekly evening series. Races begin at 7:00 pm from Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak rental shop in the Cove. Long course and short courses on relatively sheltered water, some boat wake and lots of boats to paddle with. Great weekly draw prizes, great post race get together at local pub to watch race video and socialize. On a warm summer night expect over 100 paddlers in surfskis, K1, sea kayaks and canoes |
| April 18 |
Gorge Marathon Race |
Victoria |
20-30 km |
|
| Racers complete laps on Victoria’s Gorge waterway with a short portage at the end of each lap. All racers compete together and are awarded prizes for individual age, gender and boat categories. The event is suitable for surfskis and flatwater canoes and kayaks. The course is fairly protected from wind and waves, the biggest challenges are the race distance and potential for some current passing under Tillicum Bridge. |
| April 26 |
Dan Harris Challenge |
Fairhaven |
14 km |
|
| Racers complete an out and back course around Chuckanut Island. All racers compete together and are awarded prizes for individual age, gender and boat categories. The course is subject to chaotic water due to wind, current, ocean swell and motorboat wakes. |
| April 30 |
Big Chop races |
Vanier Park boat launch |
Up to 10 km |
|
| 1st race of biweekly Thursday evening race series from Burrard Civic Marina. Long course and short courses in English Bay, so can be dead calm or very rough water, some big boat wake and lots of boats to paddle with. Great draw prizes, great post race BBQ and socialize. Kick ass year end party! Expect over 50 paddlers in surfskis, outrigegrs, sea kayaks and canoes. |
| May 2 |
Lake Whatcom Classic |
Lake Whatcom |
19 km |
|
| Racers start at Bloedel Donovan Park beach heading south essentially straight down the lake following the west shoreline then around the small island and return back to the start/finish line. All racers and boat types compete together. The course is subject to considerable wind waves. |
| May 3 or 10 |
Tour de Indian Arm |
Deep Cove |
19 km |
|
| Racers start in Deep Cove heading south to round course markers and islands in Burrard Inlet and Indian Arm. All racers and boat types race together. The course is subject to wind waves and motorboat wakes and requires crossing to the east side of Indian Arm. A short course option is available. |
| May 9 |
Paddlers Classic |
Fort Langley |
18 km |
|
| Racers complete laps on Bedford Channel of the Fraser River, rounding course markers. All racers compete together, and there are shorter course options which provide age group category racing opportunities. The race is popular with surfskis, marathon canoes and flatwater kayaks and canoes. The course is subject to river current and motorboat wakes. |
| May 16 |
San Juan Orca Challenge |
Anacortes |
20 miles |
|
| Course is not yet published but is anticipated to take racers in and around the San Juan Islands. The course will be subject to wind waves, ocean swell and strong tidal currents. |
| May 24 |
Jericho Iron Small Boats Classic |
Jericho |
10 km |
|
| Racers start at the Jericho pier heading west to the red bell can off Point Grey then back to the pier. Usually women surfskiers and outrigger canoers race in the morning and the men race in the afternoon. The course is subject to quite chaotic seas due to onshore or offshore wind combined with tidal current and motorboat wakes. |
| June 7 |
Round Bowen Challenge |
Bowen Island |
32 km |
|
| Racers paddle the full distance around Bowen Island, starting and finishing in Snug Cove. All racers compete together, with a new relay option for outrigger canoes and a short course option for surfskis/kayakers. Racers should be prepared for the long distance of this race and for the wide variety of weather and water conditions to be expected. Past editions of the event have put the racers through extreme heat, very large ocean swell, significant choppy seas and tidal currents. |
| June 14 |
Island Iron Small Boats |
Comox |
10 km |
|
| Course is not yet published. |
| June 28 |
Lotus Iron Small Boats |
Burnaby |
10 km |
|
| Racers start/finish in front of Barnet Marine Park heading out on a course within south Indian Arm and Burrard Inlet. Women race in the morning and men race in the afternoon. The organizers have permitted women surfskiers to compete with the men. The course is subject to wind waves and motorboat wakes and requires channel crossings. |
| July 12 |
Vancouver Ocean Sports Small Boats |
Vancouver |
10 km |
|
| Course is not yet published. |
|
|
|
|
|
| July 25 |
FCRCC Howe Sound Downwind Run |
Porteau Cove to Squamish |
20 km |
|
| Racers start at Porteau Cove and finish at Squamish. All racers compete together. The race is designed as a downwind event taking advantage of the summer thermals to generate wind waves running up Howe Sound. Racers should be competent at remounting their ski in big wave conditions. |
| August 1 |
Vernon Freshwater Challenge Small Boats |
Vernon |
10 km |
|
| Racers paddle a course on the Vernon waterfront of Okanagan Lake. Usually men and women race separately with surfskis and outrigger canoes competing together. Race organizers have permitted women surfskiers to compete with the men. The course is subject to wind waves and motorboat wakes. |
| August 16 |
Canadian Iron Champs |
Victoria |
10 km |
|
| Course is not yet published. |
| August 22/23 |
US Surfski Championships |
San Francisco |
25 km |
|
| Course is changing for 2009 but is expected to still take racers beyond the Golden Gate Bridge but with efforts to create more downwind racing conditions. The course is subject to big waves and strong currents…only experienced paddlers should tackle the long course. |
| September 26 |
Length of the Lake |
Vernon/Penticton |
100 km |
|
| Teams of up to five paddlers and solo paddlers race the 5 legs from Vernon to Penticton. All paddlers/teams race together. Racers should be prepared for the long distance and the variety of weather and water conditions. The course is subject to high winds and challenging waves, which can come from any direction and with little or no warning. |
| October 18 |
ORPC Bridges Inny/Outy |
Victoria |
10 km |
|
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Trista said
If you are missing the comradery of the paddling scene around this time of the year, there is a great race happening at the beginning of Dec that I really recommend. Already a number of surf skis have signed up. The challenging 6 mile course takes paddlers through the swirling waters of Deception Pass! This race is for experienced paddlers with proven self-rescue skills. Pre-registration is required.
Please take a look at their website.
http://www.outdooradventurecenter.com/2869/articles/Deception-Pass-Dash-08.html
marty said
another event at the Gorge in Victoria
Saturday February 14th
Small Boat Delirium
Part “3”
Presented by
Gorge Rowing and Paddling Centre
Saturday February 14th 2009
Racing will start at 1000am
The 10km race will start at 10:00am
The relay will start at 1200 noon
The race course length is approx 10km.
The race course will be a 10km loop, (See Map)
The relay event will be 2 loops of 5km each (See Map)
Categories and Awards
Outrigger (M&W& Relay) 1st (in each category)
Surf-ski (M&W & Relay) 1sr (in each category)
Marathon Canoe (M&W & Relay) 1st (in each category)
Kayak (M&W& Relay) 1st (in each category)
$15.00 per person
Food/Refreshments provided
Draw prizes