Race Introduction
The Palm Beach Pursuit is an annual surf ski race conducted on Pittwater and Broken Bay starting
and finishing at Governor Phillip Park Palm Beach. This year the event is scheduled for Saturday 3
May 2025 pending approvals. The Manly-Warringah Kayak Club has organized this race previously
in 2022, 2023 & 2024. This year it has a slightly different course with a long course (15km) and short
course (10km) (see attached course maps).
There will be a race briefing again at 8-15am consistent with previous years with the race starts scheduled between 8:30am and 8:40 am. We envisage the race would be completed by 10:30am – 10.45am, with the last competitors leaving the venue by 11.00am. Based on the years of running the event previous to COVID we envisage 130 – 150 craft to race. Activity at Governor Phillip Park will commence around 6am in order to have all course buoys laid and to have the competitor boat drop off and Start / Finish area prepared for competitor arrival. Activities should conclude by approximately 11.00am with the departure of the slowest paddlers.
Race Details
- Race Host – Manly Warringah Kayak Club
- May 3rd 2025
- Starts from Station Beach Governor Phillip Park, Palm Beach;
- Course lengths: 9 and15k
- Race starts from 8:30 am; briefing time 7:45am
- Paddler Check-in from 7am
- 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)
- Note that parking is regulated at this location. METERED PARKING is available in Governor Phillip Park on Saturdays from 8am via parking tickets available from the machines at $10 per hour from 8am unless you have a Northern Beaches Parking Permit.
Event Schedule
Palm Beach Pursuit
| 06:00 | Arrive and prepare equipment buoys. |
| 06:15 | Initial weather assessment on site. Check site for safety issues. |
| Arrival of Boats - 4 power safety boats at Governor Phillip Park ramp. | |
| 06:45 | Check-in and First Aid set up |
| Briefing of all boat crews and first aid officer. | |
| Course buoys layout for short and long course. | |
| 07:15 | Final Weather assessment by Race Director |
| Check-In Opens | |
| 08:00 | Check-in Closes - Race Briefing |
| 08:25 | Race Starts - Long course Wave 1 |
| 08:35 | Race Starts - Short Course Wave 2 |
| 08:40 | Race Start Long Course Doubles Wave 3 |
| 09:30 | Paddlers finish at Governor Phillip Park |
| 10:00 | |
| 10:30 | Presentation |
Entry Categories
- Under 20
- 20-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- Over 60
- Double Ski – can be mixed/male/female however it must the same crew
Race Organisers
Race Director – Peter Grimes (MWKC President) will be located at Governor Phillip Park prior to the start, and then in a power safety boat during the race. Mobile 0418 221 042 and two-way radio.
Safety Officer – Geoff Horsnell (MWKC Board Member) Located at the start/finish location at Governor Philip Park during the race. Mobile 0409 404 366 and two-way radio.
First Aid Officer – Directions Health Deanna Stratford Certificate IV Health and other relevant qualifications. Located onshore at Governor Phillip Park.
Mobile 0488 602 554 and access to two-way radio.
Event Organiser – Tony Haines (MWKC Surf Ski Captain) Located at start/finish location at Governor Phillip Park. Mobile 0411 532000 email [email protected]
Race Course
Long Course
Short Course
Garmin Maps – Tri Series Palm Beach Pursuit 2025 courses
Event Safety
On water safety and support will be provided by four powered safety boats manned by at least two
crew re expected to be the same as previous event. MWKC will advise if any changes to the following;
Start Boat 1: (6.0m power boat)
VHF CH66 Call Sign “Starter”
Skipper: Matt Windon 0420 690 190
Starter: Rob Chant 0409 161 338
Boat 2: Long Course Boat (IRB):
VHF CH66 Call Sign “Long Course”
Skipper: TBA
Crew: TBA
Positions from start line to adjacent to long course turning (Soldiers Point) buoy during race.
Mobile Phones and two-way radio.
Boat 3: Short Course Boat (IRB):
VHF CH66 Call Sign “Short Course”
Skipper: TBA
Crew: TBA
Positions from start line to short course turning buoy (longnose Point) during race. Mobile Phones
and two-way radio.
Boat 4 Roaming Safety Boat: (NSW Marine Rescue Pittwater)
VHF CH 66 Call Sign “Roamer”
Skipper: TBA
Crew: TBA
On the water throughout race observing field. Mobile phones and two-way radio. Will enforce minimum progress time for long course competitors at Stokes Point. Additional volunteers will include members of the MWKC as required on race day. Ratio of rescue/safety personnel to participants on water is 1:15 approx.