Peninsula Downwind Classic

The Peninsula Downwind Classic is a downwind paddle event catering to intermediate to experienced paddlers.  The aim is to hold the event in optimal downwind conditions that supports the development of the Victorian downwind community. This event is being hosted by MP Paddlers (with all funds going towards club craft) in association with Paddle Victoria.  A “save the date” communication and registrations page will be posted by Paddle Vic asap.

To optimise the downwind conditions, the course location, course direction, day and time will be selected from an  event window with a starting time of between 9am on Saturday 15 February 2025 and 3pm on Sunday 16 February 2025.  This will be communicated to all competitors and volunteers at 5pm on Thursday 13 February 2025.

The Peninsula Downwind Classic will have a long and short course and two course location options

  • South/north from south side of Frankston pier (Frankston Waterfront Reserve) to Northern side of Mordialloc pier (Pier Road) for a distance of 17km.  The short course will finish in the same location and start on the southern side of the Patterson River entrance (Stephens Street) for a distance of 10km

  • East/west from Safety Beach Yacht Club to western side of Blairgowrie Marina for a distance of 19km.  The short course will finish at the same location and start on the western side of the Rosebud pier for a distance of 10km

  • A turning buoy will be placed in the ocean to assist in aligning paddlers with the wind (which may vary the race distance slightly)

The event will run under the following conditions based on Bonbeach weather station for the south/north course and South Channel Island weather station for the east/west course (using average wind)

  • ·South/north course

    • SW to SE of 10-25 knots for long course and S to SE of 10-20 knots for short course

    • The course will reverse in NW to NE of 10-25 knots for long course and NW to N of 10-20 knots for short course

  • East/west course

    • NE to ESE of 10-25 knots for long course and SE to E of 10-20 knots for short course

    • The course will reverse in WNW to SW of 10-25 knots for long course and W to SW of 10-20 knots for short course

  • The event will not run in any other wind conditions

Craft and participants

The Peninsula Downwind Classic will be open to any paddler over the age of 16 who makes a declaration (guardians sign for those under the age of 18) attesting to their swimming and paddling ability.  It is a condition of entry that entrants be able to swim 400 metres without rest and can remount their craft after capsisng in downwind conditions.  Paddlers must also have previously paddled the race distance in the ocean or bay in downwind conditions of at least 20 knots.

The following craft are eligible for entry and are regarded as ‘marine safe’. Sea kayaks must have at least 5.5m waterline (LWL) and have sealed compartments in order to participate

  • Ocean and spec single and double skis

  • Stand up paddle boards

  • OC1 and OC2

  • Prone paddleboards

  • Sea kayaks

Prizes will be awarded to

  • Fastest craft over the line - male

  • Fastest craft over the line - female

Entries

Entries are through the Webscorer website where race information will also be available (also check www.mppaddlers.org).  Entry (deadlines are midnight Wednesday 13 February) will be capped at 100 craft

  • Long course - $85

  • Short course - $65

If the event is cancelled due to weather conditions, natural disasters or any other reason so deemed by the race committee, the events will be rescheduled within a 2 month window where possible.

Refunds will only be applicable if the event is not held in the event window due to wind conditions and no rescheduling occurs.  In this situation a 50% refund will apply

Event organisers or any of the event sponsors or stakeholders are not responsible for any costs incurred or paid by the participant if any of the events are cancelled, dates changed or start and finish locations changed.

Water safety

IRBs will be provided under the following ratios

  • Up to 50 craft 3 x IRB’s

  • 50-100 craft 4 IRBs

IRB plan

  • An IRB will lead and patrol the starters in short and long courses for the initial period of the race then be redeployed as required

  • One IRB will follow up the rear paddlers of the long course

  • The courses will be timed so the short course paddlers will meet the front pack of the long course paddlers

  • One IRB will “float” to different areas of the course as required

  • All IRBs will be managed by the water safety officer by radio with mobile phone as back up

All IRB drivers will hold a Victorian Marine Licence and be certified as an IRB Driver through Life Saving Victoria.  All IRB crew will hold a IRB Crewpersons certificate through Life Saving Victoria.  All safety equipment required by Life Saving Victoria will be carried in each IRB and all occupants will wear an approved Level 50 lifejacket and be ready to enter the water.

The event organiser, MP Paddlers, has public liability insurance through Paddle Aus. This does not include or cover personal accident insurance for the competitors. All other insurances are the sole responsibility of the competitors.

Logistics

A shuttle bus with trailer will be available to ferry paddlers to the start line on the day of the race.  Book through info@mppaddlers.org.  There will be limited places.  Bus will pick up at finish line before the race and transfer to the start line.  Cost $25 per paddler, paid online in advance.  Craft must be loaded by 1.5 hours before the starting time departing 10 minutes thereafter.

Competitor briefing

All competitors must

  • Wear a leg leash attached to their craft (apart from outrigger canoes and sea kayaks)

  • Wear a high-viz lifejacket of an approved type (Level 50 or 50S).  SUP and prone paddleboard paddlers only are permitted to wear an approved Lifejacket Level 100/150 bum bag inflatable lifejacket.  A Hi-Vis top must be worn

  • Carry a mobile phone in a water proof case that has the Webscore app installed via the App (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) store and have created an account (see https://www.webscorer.com/blog/post/2023/08/18/gps-tracking-of-racers) for more details

  • On the day participants must before starting

    • Participants start the Webscorer app and select “GPS self-tracking”

    • Participants tap "My upcoming GPS races" and then tap the race name

    • Participants tap “Start GPS tracking” at any time on race day, e.g. 15 minutes before the start

    • Participants can then turn the phone screen off and put the phone in their pocket

    • The app keeps sending the location at the interval specified in reg setup (e.g. once per minute)

  • Carry flare carried on the paddler (not the

  • Have a pealess whistle attached to their Lifejacket

  • Wear appropriate warm clothing and sun protection such as a hat and sunscreen

  • Follow the event course at all times

  • Follow the direction of water safety officials at all times when on the water

  • Give way to larger vessels when on the water at all times

  • Stop and help any other competitor/s in difficulty whilst on the course

  • Stick paddle straight up in the air if you require assistance

  • Notify race management by text message if unable to finish (0422 244 183 or 0413 101 860)

  • Recommended that a minimum of 1L of water is carried during the race

Competitor log

  • A competitor log will be maintained for the event via Webscorer

  • All competitors will be required to sign in on the day of the event – 1 hour before the start

  • All competitors will be checked and marked against the start list before getting on to the water. This will take place through a designated point at the starting line where all requirements including leg leashes, PFD’s, etc will be checked.  Competitors will not be able to start unless they pass this check

  • A competitors will be required to finish through a designated finish point where they will be checked off against the start list

  • The competitor log will be checked and confirmed to ensure that all starters are accounted for at the end of the event

Emergency response

If a situation arises that cannot be resolved by on-water safety and race management, then Victoria Water Police should be alerted. They are located in Williamstown and are the designated marine incident response coordinator. Any incident that has potential to impact shipping or enter Port Waters should be reported to Ports Victoria Vessel Traffic Services.

  • Victoria Water Police (Phone - 9399 7500)

  • Ports Victoria – Vessel Traffic Services (Phone - 9644 9790/9644 9777)

  • Life Saving Victoria – LSC Comms (Phone 13 SURF or 137873)

  • Triple Zero

  • Race Director - 0422 244 183

  • Water Safety officer - 0413 101 860

First Aid facilities will be available on the beach for treating minor cuts/abrasions, stings and mild hypothermia.  Any serious injuries or hypothermia will require Ambulance Victoria to attend.

Social

 A location will be chosen close to the finish line for an informal social event

 Race committee and volunteers

 MP Paddlers thank the race committee and all volunteers for the organisation of the Peninsula Downwind Classic

  • Jon Ford – Race Director

  • Gareth Johnson – Safety Representative

  • Ant Deague

  • Andrew Wilkinson

  • Peter Flockhart

Volunteers are required for the following roles (please contact info@mppaddlers.org).  If there are insufficient volunteers the race will not run

  • Set up (competitors will be able to complete this role and be comfortably ready to race)

  • Registration (3 volunteers required)

  • Safety check at starting line including safety gear and boat count (3 competitors will be able to complete this role and be comfortably ready to race)

  • One starter for each start (with comms to IRB to lead the front paddlers)

  • Finish time keepers (3 volunteers required)

  • Finish boat handlers (2 volunteers required)