Round Jervis Bay

Rob Howard / 10.11.2016

The race began on the beach at Huskisson, a small marina and resort on the shore of Jervis Bay, which was to be the location for the first stage of this World Championships.

Everyone arrived in plenty of time to prepare and the more organised were able to sit in the shade and wait for the 12.30 start as the sun had made a return appearance after a gloomy morning.  Sunscreen was liberally applied and wide brimmed hats popular as teams made final preparations and gathered under the start arch ... and to either side of it, because it was nowhere near big enough for this huge race field.

The mayor gave a short speech then counted down and they were off, running down a grassy bank to the boats lined up along the shore.  Each team had one plastic double surf-ski and one double sit-on-top kayak, so the first tactical choice of the race was how to use them and there was a fairly even split between 2/2 and 3/1, with the single being in the surf-ski – the idea being to try and even out the speed. Some towed the ski as well.

However they were organised they all set off across the bay, which is a national and marine park, as one large fleet, which very gradually spread out.  Luckily the weather was kind and the sea not too rough, though it was still choppy enough to be difficult at times. It is always a risk having a sea paddle stage on a race as they are so prone to weather disruption, but this time the weather gods were kind and the race got off to a great start with a very spectacular stage.

Having crossed the bay the teams visited a series of checkpoints down the coast, the first set on the cliffs out towards the towering cliffs of Point Perpendicular, though they didn’t go quite that far. The checkpoints were still in among the cliffs however, in an area with many surf washed rocks and outcrops.  Many teams saw dolphins in the bay, where they are permanent residents, and there were whales too, though I didn’t hear any teams report a sighting.

In the early stages of the paddle the two South African teams, Merrell and Painted Wolf were in a lead group, and behind them Seagate lead a line of kayaks with Swedish Armed Forces in their wake, and Adventure Medical Kits comfortable at the back of the line. Positions did gradually change and towards the end Peak Adventure and Yealands came strong to finish in the lead with Seagate. (All of them 30 minutes up on the fastest predicted time.)

There were some stories of broken pegs and leaking boats, but it is pot luck which boats they get – they won’t use the same ones throughout the race.  Some sit on tops had drainage holes, but the surf skis were awash when they pulled onto the beach and must have been hard going for solo paddlers.

There was a little confusion leaving transition as one or two teams tried to run along the pavement for a bit instead of going straight onto the beach for the coastal run.  The referees were quickly onto it and soon Mark Harris was positioned to stop any errant teams, and tell them to read their route books carefully!

The 14km coastal trek took teams along the shore of Jervis Bay now, running on the white sand beaches, in and out of the bays and round the headlands, and at one point wading a swift waist deep river.  Once again the leaders were quicker than expected and though stage 3 was described as a ‘night lake kayak’ it was still light for the leading teams.

This was a 13km stage across Saint Georges Basin, finishing with a short river paddle into the transition to collect bikes for the first time and set out on the 95km overnight ride to Florence Head.  Now teams were going inland for the first time, and gaining altitude as well as there is 1610m of climb on the ride, which is expected to take the fastest team 8 hours.

Going into the first night Seagate opened up a small lead ahead of Yealands and Peak Adventure, while Painted Wolf lost ground with a navigational error.

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