Words: Sarah Thornely (SUPJunkie.UK)
As a spectator of stand-up paddleboard racing, you want all in action and boy did we have some of it on Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth for the weekend of the Black Project SUP GBSUP National Series race.
This included selections for the International Surfing Association and International Canoe Federation World events this year.
We were excited to see most of our top racers attending with some of them super keen to qualify for either the GB or England Team.
Saturday saw the Distance Race in the morning with blowy and blustery conditions which would test many paddlers on the water. There would be no relief due to the direction of the wind with plenty of one-sided paddling whichever direction you were paddling in.
A 10km course over 2 laps for the race fleet, and a 5km 1 lap for the challenge tour and juniors. The paddlers going for team selection were allowed to go off first, and this allowed for there to be no interference for them in this very important race.
Blue Ewer shot off from the beach start and never looked back winning convincingly ahead of Hector Jessel and Damian Warner. The ladies’ race was a bit closer, but Holly Pye took the win with Annabel Page and Emily Evans 2nd and 3rd. Great skills on show in really testing conditions.
The prone paddleboarders are always a joy to watch with super skills of balance and speed and once again it was Andrew Byatt who took out a great win, over 11 minutes ahead of Martijn Ronday and Mark Norton. For the ladies, it was local girl Molly Roodhouse who finished ahead of Jessica Georgelin.
Jacques Thomas from the Channel Islands took the win in the juniors with Tess Page (younger sister of Annabel) coming ahead of Isla Hicks. These youngsters paddled like the pros in this race.
The juniors then had their own dedicated short race (best to keep those youngsters engaged and having fun over lunchtime) and Jacques Thomas once again took the win for the boys with Charlie Little (younger brother of James) in second and Dan Brookes from BaySUP coming in third. Carmella Brotherton Lynn raced for the girls and took the win.
The wind increased in the afternoon with a strong cross onshore not helping the set up for the 200m straight line sprints, so the decision was made to run it 200 metres off shore and straight back into the beach.
A long discussion was had between the Race Director and the paddlers hoping to be selected, to make sure that everything was clear, and shortly after the men made their way out to line up as best they could.
Once lined up as best they could, the race was started and after an incredibly fast and furious paddle, Blue Ewer took the win, Will Keatley second and James Little third.
The ladies' selection race was next and after a shaky start and some tough racing, once the ladies were back on the beach, it was brought to the attention of the race director that there may have been a false start.
Luckily there was a drone up for the start and after careful inspection and consideration, it was in fact deemed to have been a false start and it was decided that the ladies' sprint race would be re-run on Sunday morning. An odd end to the day, but all the girls want at the end of the day is a fair race, and the drone clearly showed it was not.
Some great racing on Day 1 and Sunday would be no different.
The first race up was the re-run of the ladies' sprint selection race and with only two paddlers, it was going to be exciting. Holly Pye and Annabel Page are two young paddlers who are just getting better and better and this race proved just that.
It was hard to see, as the ladies paddled so fast towards us all on the beach, who was in the lead, and it was only right at the shoreline that we could see that Holly won it with just a few inches lead over Annabel – a fantastic second win for Holly!
Next up were the Tech Sprints, an exciting format of beach start, paddle out to two buoys, decide which one to paddle around and straight back to the beach, with a run finish between the flags. This is what we love about SUP racing, fast and furious, gut-busting stuff!
Two heats each and then the eight fastest male and female would go through to the finals. It was thrilling, with plenty of talent and plenty of falls and fails too! The finals were on another level excitement and once again Blue Ewer came in first, Will Keetley 2nd and Hector Jessel 3rd.
Super strong Welsh girl Emily Evans won for the ladies, with Holly 2nd and Michelle Kimbler 3rd.
The juniors were as inspiring as always, with Charlie Little winning, Jacques Thomas in 2nd and Dan Brookes 3rd. Mark Norton took the win for the prone division.
So, onto the final race of the weekend – the exciting format of a classic tech race. A beach start, an M shaped course with three buoys to navigate, back to the beach, around the flag with your board and repeat! Lots to play for as this was also a selection race, with those paddlers going separately at the end of the day.
The juniors and challenge fleet went off together paddling 1.8km over 2 laps, with James Little winning for the juniors, followed by Max Tee and Jacques Thomas. Tess Page and Carmella were 1st and 2nd for the girls. We are so impressed with these young paddlers – they are our future, and we need to keep them engaged with this great sport.
For the prone paddlers, it was once again Andrew Byatt in first with Liam Brennan 2nd and Mark Norton 3rd. Molly Roodhouse once again took the win over Jessica Georgelin.
Finally, the two selection races for the men and women hoping to qualify and what a line up – 16 of the best paddlers in the UK currently.
First up were the ladies with Holly Pye taking the lead and Annabel Page tucked behind her – this is how it stayed for most of the race, a little loss here and there and a little gain too. In the last lap Annabel fell behind and Emily Evans took advantage going into second place.
It looked as though she may catch Holly in the last straight, but Holly stayed strong and took yet another win over the weekend. Emily kept her second place with Annabel and Michelle being separated by a less than a second for 3rd and 4th. Wonderful racing from the ladies with Holly taking 3 out of 3 – one to watch when she competes again internationally.
Last race of the weekend and Blue Ewer took an immediate lead with Hector battling to take second. This is how first and second stayed for the whole of the race, no one was going to catch Blue this weekend!
There was a great battle between Will Keetley, Damian Warner and Glen Eldridge but a dodgy dismount from Damian meant that Will took the third place. Damian and Glen have been racing for many years and keep their hand in – still giving the young guns a good run for their money.
There were many other categories and winners, but this race report focuses on those who qualified for their country.
We applaud everyone else who was on the water over the weekend, they performed to their best and there were some great individual placings and podiums! Hats off to everyone at GBSUP who once again put on a cracking event.
We are so delighted and excited for all the paddlers who have qualified to represent their country and know they will give a great account of themselves, both as paddlers and good, good human beings. We wish them the very best of luck and thank you for keeping us thoroughly entertained all weekend.