Well the 2010 UK Surfski Racing season has been great. The amount of interest from paddlers and spectators has increased and the sport is growing so fast here it is amazing.

On Saturday Surfski GB held the British Champs, sponsored by Ultimate Kayaks. Unfortunately the wind was offshore for the race but at least it was warm and sunny!! What it did provide was calm conditions for a few inexperienced Surfski paddlers to give it go and finish, which will make them come back for more!! Also great conditions for spectators, with about 60 paddlers lining up on the beach and running to pick up their skis to make a dash for the water to get a good start, the spectators must have enjoyed it. It really draws attention to anyone walking on the beach when a “herd” of surfski paddlers run towards the sea. As the wind was of no help to us because we were sheltered by the cliffs, it was a good opportunity to make the course shorter and do a few laps, then people on the beach can also see what’s going on. So the Open men/ladies and Master Men did 3 laps while the Master ladies U19 boys/girls did 2 laps and the u/16 boys/girls did 1 lap.

Ivan Lawler was on top form and took the Men’s title, with Mark Ressel 2nd and Glenn Eldridge 3rd. A very impressive 4th by Jack Staddon, he has improved so much on the ski this season – watch out for him next year!! I won the Ladies title, with Anita Bennet 2nd and Susan Fridd 3rd. We do really need more women in the sport, so come on girls get your feet wet and give it go!!

After the champs we also had the prize giving for the British Series which took part over the summer. The following category winners all went into a hat for a draw for a Surfski sponsored by Icon Surfcraft.

Glenn Eldridge (Open Men’s)

Chloe Bunnett (Open Ladies)

Paul Kingman (Master’s men)

Karen O’Donghue Harris (Master’s Ladies)

Josh Newing (u/19 boys)

Eloise Neighbour (u/19 girls)

Tom Bolt (u/16 boys)

Ellie Parker (u/16 girls)

To my surprise I won the ICON surfski!! Very lucky indeed, I did then go and put the lottery on but unfortunately I was not that lucky!!

2010 was a great season for UK Surfski racing, we had some races with over 80 paddlers!!! Not to forget the ICON Downwind Classic. There are a lot of new faces that have come into the sport this year and next year there will be more.

Racing is not over for the season though…..there are still a few International races this year. Next up is the Hong Kong Dragon Run followed by the Dubai Shamaal.

See you on the water 🙂