Head of the Dart 2013

[RedPaddleCo]

Registration for the 2013 Event is now open with maximum participants set at 100 this year. The race will be held on the 20th April and will go from Totnes to Dartmouth with the outgoing tide. This is a great event for all levels of paddler. For more info and to enter head to http://headofthedart.wordpress.com/

[kaossurfer]

What time does the race start?

[pze1967]

As I understand it, the Head of the Dart race has a 14' and a 12'6" race category but the cruising class will not be timed, instead setting off 5-10 minutes earlier to enjoy the scenery. For this reason I won't be going and I just want to register a comment that I hope this doesn't become the norm for races throughout this year. I'd love a 12'6" or a 14' but at the moment my personal financial circumstances mean that I can't afford it. However, I do have a Big Easy which I was planning to use.

There are lots of people who have a surf shape cruising board who are mulling over getting into the race scene, I think it is important to try where ever possible to retain that "class" as it helps people get a taste for racing, it is more inclusive in opening the racing up to a broader group of people, and it means that those who are passionate about the sport can compete even if they haven't got a certain type of equipment.

You could ask why there isn't an unlimited class as well this year, but there are fewer people on unlimited's which tend to be K15's or a very rare SIC or Starboard Point. And I don't want to open the debate about which length and why, read Westy's book for some good insights on this. But there are lots of people how will buy a Surf shape board rigid or inflatable as their only all-round board. So I hope that this year most, if not all races will have a class (of whatever name) for boards 12'5" and under which are surf shaped, rigid or inflatable, as I believe this would be good for promoting the sport.

I acknowledge that organising any SUP event takes a lot of effort. But it's a long way to go to Dartmouth for just a scenic paddle so I'm reluctantly and disappointingly going to give it a miss this year.

[woodsy]

dude - i may have got this wrong, but i beleive that the 12'6" class is for boards "up to" 12'6".

i hope so as that is that i have entered and I don't have a 12'6" (although i am looking - still).

anyone like to clarify?

w

[John Hibbard]

Yep Woodsy is right. The board classes are max length - that's the way all events work.

Anyone can enter the 12'6" Class with any length board upto 12'6".

Same with 14' class.

It is explained on the website for the event:http://headofthedart.wordpress.com/classes/

2) 12’6″ Class

For all boards up to 12’6″ Long. Your board must be mono hulled and powered by a single bladed paddle. You must stay standing for the duration of the race. Your positions will be recorded and the results will count. There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers.

There is also an unlimited class as explained on the same page.

pze1967 I'm not sure where you were looking to come the conclusions you did

It's a race for everyone on any board but at the same time it can be a cruise for anyone on any board.

70+ pre entered already according to event team so looking like being the biggest SUP event in the UK so far. There is a maximum entry of 100 so if you haven't entered yet now is the time.

www.headofthedart.co.uk

John

[wassssssup]

WASSSSSSUP paddlers!!!

Super bummed at the moment. I have been putting in the hours on the water and on my bike in preperation for this race and as fate does my appendix burst and I have had it removed. Man down. It seems whenever I get some momentum in my surf and paddle preperation something comes along and gives me a good old kick in the face. Rant over.

It is a great event and the scenery is awesome. Looking at the forcast, the weather looks spot on. light winds and warm weather.

I hope you all enjoy it you lucky buggers.

[Wavecloud]

Whoah - That's heavy

Get well soon boss

[wassssssup]

Cheers Wavecloud.

It looks like I might have the time now, to carve me a handle for that paddle.

[woodsy]

yeah - major bummer.

returning to the HOTD, its dawning on me that there aren't going to be many that have entered the 12 6 class without actually having a 12 6 - i might be last!!!

forecast looks amazing.

W

[John Hibbard]

Starboard and Red Paddle Co demo evening

The guys at Starboard and Red Paddle Co UK are holding a demo day at South Milton beach in South Devon on Friday night (19th April) from 6pm until 9pm (depending on the weather). We would like to invite all Head of the Dart paddlers to come along for a paddle.

Location info can be found here: https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Devon.+T ... m&t=m&z=13
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[ibrokeit]

Check out My latest NWF blog entry. I hope you like it, If you do please click like at the bottom of the page and share. Spread the word.

http://nationalwatersportsfestival.com/ ... s-on-hotd/