Shark Island Paddlers annual Tingira Challenge race is a highlight on the paddling calendar each year where we look forward to hosting our community of paddlers and competitors from across the city.
Race details
- Starts from Tingira Reserve (corner of Vickery Avenue and New South Head Road), Rose Bay
- Course lengths – Short Course – 8 and Long Course – 15k
- Racing starts – From 7:50am
- Race Briefing – briefing time starts from 07:30 am
- Paddler Check – in from 7am
- Safety Equipment – All paddlers must wear a Level 50 Lifejacket and have a leg leash (will be decided on the day if required to be worn). All SUPs must wear a leg leash.
It is recommended every paddler also carries a mobile phone and/or waterproof VHF (5/1 Watt) marine radio - Minimum safety requirements – PFD (life jacket) and a Leg Leash as per race rules. This will be checked prior to race start and at the finish line. Failure to have the required minimum safety equipment will lead to disqualification (DSQ)
- Parking is available at no charge in the Lyne Park car park (adjacent to the Tennis Courts) or alternately on New South Head Road.
Do not park in front of the Sailing Club or opposite on Vickery Ave - Race Categories – Ocean Racing Surf Skis(singles + doubles), OC1s. Other classes are potentially avail if min qty met
- Presentation – There will be a presentation ceremony for both the Tingira Challenge and the Sydney Tri Series (of which this race is the third and final event).
- Prizes – TBA
- Race Registration via Webscorer
- Webscorer Entry Weblink – Multiple Races
- Race Day instruction (downloadable Pdf)
Race Day General Procedure
This race is conducted at the same location as previous events.
Please note the following:
(1) Paddlers are advised to:
- drop-off their craft and park elsewhere.
- NOT cross New South Head Road with their craft.
- respect the local residents and keep noise to a minimum.
- not arrive early (to minimize crowding)
(2) Have the minimum safety equipment noted under the Race Rules:
- Level 50 Lifejacket o Paddle leash (affixed to craft or paddle)
- Expect disqualification if mandatory safety equipment not seen by race officials AT ANY TIME
- pass through the two SIP flags off the beach when they enter the water (to record race number and check minimum mandatory equipment)
- pass through the two SIP flags off the beach to have a time recorded.
- load craft and leave the beach once their race is complete.
- attend the post-race presentation.
General Race Briefing & Race Safety Briefing
- On Webscorer and SIP website 24 hours prior
- On Beach in pre-racebriefing
RACE SAFETY BRIEFING
- 10 MINUTE WARNING (3 short blasts of air horn): Paddlers complete warm-up and return to the beach, marshalling 10m behind the start line. Marshalls will call padders through the entry gate (two teardrop flags located on the beach) to check equipment and boat numbers. This will happen one start wave at a time: If you are not starting in the first wave, please wait until the wave ahead of you has started their race and await a signal from the marshals before approaching the entry gates for check-in.
- 1 MINUTE WARNING (verbal given by Race Director over loud-hailer). Paddlers line up on the start line as directed by race marshals.
- START: one blast of the air horn.
- Starts commence in the following waves:
- Long Course (Intermediate): 0750
- Long Course (Competitive) 0755
- Short Course: 0800
- All paddlers must stand next to their own craft. Both feet must be on sand.
- Doubles and OCs start 10m in front of single craft in their selected start wave.
- Doubles can have one paddler sit in their craft.
- Sea kayakers with spray skirts can sit in their craft.
- Sit on-top kayakers must stand next to their craft.
- Stand up paddlers can stand on or stand next to their own craft.
- You must pass through the finish line flags to have a time recorded.
ANY PADDLER JUMPING THE START WILL HAVE TWO (2) MINUTES ADDED TO THEIR TIME
ON-BEACH PRE-RACE GENERAL BRIEFING
- All paddlers MUST WEAR an approved PFD
- One paddler of every ski or SUP MUST WEAR a paddle leash or leg leash.
- All competitors MUST GIVE WAY to commercial vessels.
- A Safety Cut-Off Time will apply at Village Point at the end of the
Short Course to be determined by the Race Manager on the day according to the prevailing conditions. Safety staff may direct paddlers to return at this mark even though they have nominated for the long course.
No discussion will be entered into regarding safety directions, and failure to comply will result in immediate disqualification from this and all future races.
Race start / finish procedures
Race Start Procedures
- The start line will be off Tingira Reserve east of the drain
- Paddlers are required to stay 20m behind the start line until the race has been called to the start
- Paddlers must start and finish between the two teardrop SIP flags or risk DQ
- Failure to do so will result in a DNS (Did Not Start) or DNF (Did Not FINISH).
- Starts will commence as follows
- Long course SINGLES – 07:50
- Short course – 07:55
- Long course DOUBLES – 08:00
TIMINGS (prior to first race start)
30 MINUTES PRIOR (07:30)
Paddler briefing at start line
TEN (10) MINUTES PRIOR (07:40)
Paddlers to marshal in vicinity of start line ten (10) minutes prior to race start time
ONE (1) MINUTE PRIOR (07:49)
LOUD HAILER “ONE (1) MINUTE WARNING” to be signalled by Race Director / Starter
- Singles paddlers to stand next to their own watercraft. Both feet must be on sand
- Doubles can have one paddler sit in their craft
- Sea kayakers with spray skirts can sit in their craft
- Stand Up Paddlers can stand on or next to their craft
3 x AIRHORN BLASTS = GET READY
Starter signals “GET READY FOR RACE START” by 3 short blasts of the airhorn
1 x AIRHORN BLAST = START
Starter signals RACE START by one (1) blast on air horn (approx. 1 minute after GET READY)
Any paddler who crosses the start line before the race has started will incur a 2-minute penalty
Race Finishing Procedures
At conclusion of race or return to Tingira Reserve:
- SIP staff will call out race numbers to SIP to confirm finish
- Paddle NSW will record timing
- Race number to be handed to SIP staff for lucky door prize draw
- Paddlers asked to remove watercraft from the beach and return for presentations
- All paddlers to be accounted for (Race Director, Paddle NSW and Safety Officer)
Race Course & Map
PADDLERS MUST PASS BETWEEN THE SIP FLAGS TO START and FINISH
- Proceed FROM Start to Shark Island and turn at Mark 1, Shark Island Buoy located 25m from the White Lighthouse to the North of Shark Island.
KEEP BUOY ON YOUR RIGHT - Proceed to Mark 2, Steele Point Buoy located 50m NW of Steele Pt.
KEEP BUOY ON YOUR RIGHT - Proceed to Mark 3, Bottle and Glass Buoy located 50m NE of Bottle & Glass Pt.
KEEP BUOY ON YOUR RIGHT - Proceed to Mark 4, Village Point Buoy/s located 70m due North of Village Point.
THIS IS A TURNING MARK, TURN ANTI-CLOCKWISE.
KEEP BUOY ON YOUR LEFT - Short Course paddlers return via Bottle and Glass and Steele Point buoys NOT SHARK ISLAND
KEEP BUOY/S ON YOUR RIGHT to avoid outgoing traffic. Stay clear of rocks. - Long course paddlers continue North via Mark 5 South Head YRM (Yacht Rounding Mark)
KEEP BUOY ON YOUR LEFT (i.e. paddle inshore of this mark) - As you cross the Heads, aim for the multistorey white circular building at Manly that will lead you to the YRM near Quarantine Beach
- Proceed to Mark 6 Quarantine Beach YRM between Cannae Pt. and Manly Pt.
THIS IS A TURNING MARK, TURN ANTI-CLOCKWISE.
KEEP YRM ON YOUR LEFT - Return directly to Mark 3, Bottle and Glass Buoy
DO NOT PROCEED DIRECT TO STEELE POINT, YOU MUST ROUND MARK 3
KEEP BUOY ON YOUR RIGHT to avoid outgoing traffic. Stay clear of rocks. - Pass Mark 2, Steele Point Buoy.
KEEP BUOY ON YOUR RIGHT to avoid outgoing traffic. Stay clear of the rocks. - Head straight to finish line off Tingira Reserve
Long Course
Short Course
Paddler Safety Briefing
- All paddlers must be able to swim a minimum 50m unaided in open water.
- All paddlers, no matter what craft used, must wear a Level 50 or 50S non- inflatable life jacket that conforms with Australian standards.
- Ski paddlers must be able to remount their craft without assistance.
- One paddler of every Ski or SUP must wear a paddle leash or leg leash.
- Paddle leashes and leg leash together are not permitted for Ski paddlers.
- All kayak paddlers must use a paddle leash and are advised to wear a skirt.
- Kayaks must have sealed compartments or additional buoyancy material fitted.
- Equipment will be visually checked at the start and again as paddlers cross the finish line.
- Non-compliance with the above will lead to instant disqualification from the race.
- All competitors MUST GIVE WAY to commercial vessels.
- Moored boats are on the course. Do not paddle through moored boats. Any craft paddling through moored boats to gain an advantage will be subject to a time penalty. The only exception to this rule is after passing back through the start line when proceeding to the finish flags located on the beach.