Dolls Point Classic dominated by local Shire paddlers
The Shire's paddlers are 'happy chappies' this month after successfully hosting a round of Paddle NSW's Harbour Racing Series at Dolls Point, where local crews took the victory.
Members of the Sutherland Shire Canoe Club and Dolls Point Paddlers joined forces to host the 2021 Dolls Point Classic on Saturday, May 8, the second of four rounds in this year's competition.
After the disappointment of the HRS being cancelled last year because of COVID-19, this year's event was run in perfect paddling conditions (mild weather, small waves and plenty of fun).
There were 76 paddlers lined up on the day (14 clubs and 11 non-club entrants).
Along with the crews of three safety boats that kept an eye on anyone unused to the bumpy conditions around the Point and the Airport.
Fortunately, very few entrants needed help.
Twenty-eight of the paddlers took on the short course event (eight kilometres) in 22 skis and three doubles.
The other 48 paddlers contested the long course event (14 kilometres) in 45 skis, one outrigger and one double.
On the day, only two paddlers failed to finish, while seven entrants did not start.
The father/son double of Matt and Rafferty Sheather from the Cronulla Sutherland Kayak Club set a cracking time to take out line honours and be the fastest double and fastest males on the short course.
Cronulla Sutherland Kayak Club also claimed the long course honours, with Ben Constable taking the overall victory.
Michele Parker from the Illawarra Canoe Club was the short course's fastest female, while Montannah Murray from the Kiama Paddlers took honours on the long course.
The Harbour Series offers paddlers new to open-water paddling the opportunity to contest four unique courses in the lower-risk racing environment of enclosed harbour and lake waters.
Long courses range from 14 to 18 kilometres, while short courses are between eight and 12 kilometres in the distance.
The races provide a pathway for paddlers to progress to more exposed open-water paddling events and are open to all paddle craft, including; skis, outrigger canoes, sea kayaks and stand-up paddle-boards.
Sutherland Shire Canoe Club first hosted the Dolls Point Classic in 2018, with race director Mark Sundin in charge at all three events run so far.
The other event of the Harbour Series was completed on March 13 at Rowland Reserve, Bayview.
The event was a good "warm-up" for the officials, many of whom will be involved when Sutherland Shire Canoe Club hosts a round of the Paddle NSW Marathon Series on the Woronora River on June 26.