THEY’RE off and racing in the 2022 Australian SUP Titles following an opening ceremony that was held at the Phillip Island Nature Park on Tuesday, October 4.
On Wednesday, October 5 it was the turn of the marathon paddlers to take on an epic course from Coronet Bay to Cowes.
And what looked (and felt) like a terrible return to winter for many of us proved to be ideal conditions, even record-breaking conditions, according to Contest Director Max Wells, for the marathon run to Cowes.
“Last time we hosted it here at the Island, in 2019, the wind was blowing from the south-west and we ran it the other way and they had what was close to a world record time, from here to Coronet Bay,” Mr Wells said after a highly successful event.
“This time, with an easterly (tending north) it was perfect coming back the other way, a full tail wind, and they had a great run. In what they’ll tell you were perfect conditions, in an even better time.”
The race was run from Coronet Bay to Erehwon Point at Cowes.
Ty Judson (NSW) who placed third in the World Championships in 2019, and won the race, the other way, here last time, won the 2022 Surfing Australian SUP Marathon (Open) Race, again in near world-record time.
Ty finished the course in 1hr 7mins, that’s 12sec faster than his 2019 time.
The course length was 16.34km in length.
The competitors and officials for the week-long event, which will now turn its attention to Cape Woolamai for the wave events, were welcomed on Tuesday by traditional owner Daniel Hume, representing the Bunurong Land Council before a briefing on the conditions.
Mr Wells said after a great marathon event, he was looking forward to three more days of competition at Woolamai Beach, which has hosted countless world-rated surfing events.
“The fantastic thing about Phillip Island is the number of options we have. We’re expecting 2-3 foot and perfect winds that are predicted to hold for the next few days,” Wells said.
Keep up to date with results and information at the Australian SUP Titles website.
The 2022 Australian SUP Titles are supported by the Victorian Government and the Bass Coast Shire Council.
Update by Surfing Victoria
After a two year hiatus the Australian SUP Titles have returned to Philip Island.
Ty Judson won the marathon race beating his 2019 time by 12 seconds.
The New South Wales competitor finished the 16km course in just one hour and seven minutes.
“The conditions were on par to last time. Speeds were pretty similar but we ran opposite this year. I made a faster time this year because we had the tide coming with us and strong winds. I was going about 15 and a half to 16 kilometres an hour. I was just watching my watch, which shows my speed," Judson said.
Contest Director Max Wells said it was a spectacular race.
“It was downwind in 30-knot plus conditions, which made it incredibly fast. Competitors were delighted,” he said.
James Casey, also from New South Wales, finished second with Queenslander Johnathan Hagan third.
"It was good to be racing against James, the Molokai 2 Oahu winner back in 2019," Judson added.
Surfing events kick off at Woolamai beach from 8am tomorrow, with good conditions forecast.
Keep up to date with results and information at the Australian SUP Titles website.
The 2022 Australian SUP Titles are supported by the Victorian Government.
