“
GBSUP REPORTING :
GBSUP DIRECTORS REPORT
Words : Scott Warren - GBSUP Events Director Photos : Amanda Roberts - P3T Photography
2022 – Season review
Earlier this year , we explained how the 2022 National Series was very much on edge . With brand new ownership , new company formation and starting from a relatively blank sheet of paper , this year ’ s series was almost a no-go . So to be sitting here , looking back across a successful National Series and Championships , is quite remarkable and something the GBSUP team is incredibly proud of . We look forward to 2023 and continuing to build on solid foundations .
Events roundup
Tech Series – Viking Bay Classic
After a successful first year , we once again returned to the home of the Viking Bay Classic in Kent . Broadstairs offers a stunning location with a natural amphitheatre surrounding the bay . Spectators and passers-by get a stunning view of the competition close to the shoreline . In the run-up to the event , an ever-changing forecast and a concerning storm front came through on Friday , but thankfully the promising forecast for Saturday came through and brought us calmer seas .
For 2023 the Viking Bay Classic played host to the South East Regional and GBSUP National Tech series finals , with the WSA Junior clinic and racing also taking place to make it an action-packed day .
South East Regional Race
Kicking the day off was the final of the South East Regional Series . Scheduled for a Hybrid Tech format combining elements of Distance and Technical racing on the sea , using the new Division system , paddlers compete directly with others of similar ability regardless of board type and size . With a strong offshore wind ever present , paddlers had to face constantly paddling on one side on the outward legs to the furthest turn , with a strong tide bringing the competitors flying back to the Technical section within the bay . The race was an excellent opportunity for everyone to get their sea legs ahead of the afternoons racing . Seeing the locals getting stuck in great performances from Adrian Hougham and David Grieve was great .
GBSUP National Tech Race
On to the afternoon ’ s race , and with the incoming tide came the usual chop and swell the Viking Bay locals are familiar with . After some adjustments to the course , we were ready to go with this one set to test our paddler ’ s skill in moving and changing conditions . We even had a rogue buoy who wanted to head out to sea , throwing some dynamic race management into the mix .
With the wind coming diagonally offshore , there were legs and turns which required skill and an element of luck to navigate and stay dry . For our fleet racers , it was four laps in total , whilst our two challenge paddlers took on the same course but with a shorter two-lap option . Both Lisa Witherden and Daniel Dumbarton put on a cracking show managing the conditions and coming in strong with just a single dip between them . Other standouts came from paddlers who take on the racing and push their limits time after time . In the 14 ’ Men ’ s class , Kevin Jackson put in step-back turns when many others
s t a n d u p p a d d l e m a g u k 4