2015 Surf Kayak Classic, incorporating England Surf Kayak Ranking event #3,

Putsborough, North Devon -  15/16 August 2015.

Surf Kayak Classic

We invite you again to our beautiful Putsborough beach and Billy Budds in Croyde, for the summer surf competition, social and Heritage Classic.

Entries

Entries are in advance only, to be completed and paid by end of Monday 10th August.  

Entries are open now, exclusively on www.tournr.com/tournament/details/481 

Heats and a provisional running order will be posted on www.surfkayakskills.com shortly before the contest.

Is the event on?

We will check surf conditions during the week before the event, and confirm on this website if the event is on or if it needs to be postponed to the reserve date, 22/23 August.

We will do this on the Tuesday or Wednesday if conditions are easily predicted, or by Thursday evening at the latest.

Saturday – ESK ranking event

Bring your BCU / WCA / bwsa card or buy temporary competition membership.

Every competitor must have third party liability insurance for taking part in the competition. Either:

1.  Show your current CE/WCA/BCU/BWSA membership card at check in; or

2.  Pay £6 online for single event membership before Friday 1pm; or £10 cash on the day.

Complete check-in at the start of the day, and we'll confirm you for your free evening meal.

Please help us get the event started on time by making check-in quick and easy.

Kayaks Register from 8am to 8.25am.  First heat 8.40am.  Bring your BCU membership card. Governing body membership is essential to cover the insurance needs of the event, if you aren't a member or don't have your card you will need to buy the temporary membership option at checkout. 

Ski registration is at 12 midday, for an afternoon start.

We aim to complete the main ranking contest on the Saturday. However, as always this depends on numbers entered and surf conditions – it may run over to the Sunday.

Judging and running to time
Competitors will be asked to help run the event smoothly - if everyone helps for an hour each, that will make everything easy.  In addition, we have some judges arranged, so that competitors can enjoy the day surfing, competing and socialising.
It is your responsibility to know when your Heat is on, and things do change on the day sometime - please keep an eye on the Heatlists and results board. Please help us keep moving things along, so everyone enjoys the day - thank you.

Safety and Rules

The event will be run to World Surf Kayak Association rules. These can be found at www.wska.org and include boat specification, judging criteria, age categories etc.  Competitors are expected to make decisions on the day suited to their abilities and surf conditions, and with safety of themselves and others in mind.   This is during summer holiday - swimmers in the water always have priority.

Kayaks:  Buoyancy aid or impact vest with British Standard rating of 50N, and helmet, to be worn.  Full foam, bulkhead or airbags in back of boat, some flotation in front.  End tails fitted, no loops.

Skis:  As per BWSA rules.  Helmets required, no b/a's.

Prizegiving  will be at the beach at the end of the day.

Saturday evening

A meal at Croyde's best venue Billy Budds is included in the entry fee for competitors.  A voucher for a Korev Cornish lager is included for adults. 

It will also be an informal "After the End of The Worlds Party  - you've seen some pictures, have a chat with the paddlers who braved the sun, waves and tapas of Pantin, Galicia at the Surf Kayak World Champs a month ago.  Can you believe all their stories?

Additional meal vouchers for non-competitors are on sale with entries. 

Heritage Surf Classic

Early Sunday is left for any final rounds from the Saturday competition.

Heritage Surf Classic - meet 10am, for a 10.30 photo on the beach and 11am start in the water.  Bring surf and kayak gear from days gone by, from your garage or garden, or found through ebay.  We’re aiming for a fun and social meet and comp, with some classic old kit and classic (new or old) people! 

Any other events for Sunday will be announced on Saturday evening.

Venue, Camping and Overnight

There are toilets and a cafe at the beach.

There is no camping at Putsborough Sands, but camper vans can park up, charges are shown on http://www.putsborough.com/camping.asp  .

There are several campsites around Croyde – search or see tourist information.

Info and contact

Information will continue to be updated on   www.surfkayakskills.com      and  www.tournr.com 

Enquiries:   chiverssteve@aol.com     and   john@skernlodge.co.uk   for entries.

Many thanks to our sponsors and supporters

Thanks to the friends and companies supporting the event by making it happen and providing prizes: 

Skye Chivers for the event poster.

Chris Skardon and www.tournr.com for his website and system managing the entries.

Luis Pedro and www.kayaksurf.net/news.html as our media partner.

Putsborough for allowing us to hold the contest on their beautiful beach - www.putsborough.com

www.surfkayakskills.com and www.skernlodge.co.uk for managing info and the contest on the day

Palm equipment for prizes -  www.palmequipmenteurope.com

Desperate Measures for prizes - www.desperate-measures.co.uk

Korev lager.

And special thanks to Steve Chivers, our host for the day and at Billy Budds  -  www.thethatchcroyde.com  .

If you are able to join our sponsors by donating prize(s), all offers will be gratefully received - please get in touch with Steve.

Newcomers and Regulars

Here’s a summary of how it all works, but please ask if we can help.  Enjoy your surfing and the good company on and off the water.

How it all works:

Each Heat has between 3 and 5 paddlers, each wearing different coloured bibs.

Each Heat lasts a set time (probably 12 minutes, we’ll announce it at the start of the day).

Judges watch each heat and score each competitor’s waves. 

You can catch 10 waves maximum.  Your best two waves added together count for your result.

Normal surf etiquette applies – no dropping in, swimmers at the beach have priority etc.

Red flag displayed – we are between heats

Green flag – the Heat is on

Yellow flag – 5 mins to go in this Heat;  paddlers in next Heat paddle out (but not catch waves).

Red flag – Heat finished, paddlers come in.  Paddlers in the next Heat watch for green flag.

(If the Red flag is displayed crossed during a heat – competition stopped to sort out a problem).

Results are displayed at a central location.  Find out when you’re on next.  The heat order and times sometimes change so check every now and again.