The third race of the Shaw and Partners Australian Ocean Racing Series was held at Long Reef on Saturday 24th August hosting twenty-one Junior and Under 23 paddlers, a new record. That’s just what Add-Style wants to see.

The Oceanpaddler Chucky Race was held in choppy coolish conditions on Saturday morning 24th August. All the paddlers had to deal with a hailstorm a few minutes into the race. The hail flattened the water.  The Junior paddlers (15 to 18 year olds) and the Under 23 paddlers did fantastically well over the 16 kilometre course which started at Fisherman’s Beach, went up to North Narrabeen, back to Long Reef and then back to North Narrabeen for a second lap.

The first under 23 to come in was Dylan Askew in 1 hour 14 minutes 4 seconds. Just 47 seconds behind Dylan was Harrison Taurins and 3rd in the under 23s was Callum Elliott who came 8th overall in the event. Dylan came in second overall only 31 seconds behind the Chucky event winner, Mitch Trim.

Another strikingly good result was Willem Riddington who won the 15 to 18 Juniors category placing 13th overall in a total field of 87 paddlers.

Many of these juniors have been coached by Mitch Trim and Dean Gardiner and everyone can see the great results they are achieving. In a super tight finish Sam Murphy was one second behind Willem and Lachie Warner, the winner of the Fenn Elite draw, came in third in the 15 to 18 years category.

Lachie says he got a terrible start, fell out and then got in and raced after his mate Sam. Lachie is coached by Dean Gardiner and also Mitch Trim on the flatwater. Lachie has never heard of Add-Style but perhaps he will get to know about us now when he sees the stickers on his boat. Next in the 15 to 18 years division was Matthew Wilson in a time of 1 hour 26minutes 4 seconds followed by Sam Davis in 1 hour 26 minutes and 14 seconds.

The girls have also stepped up this year. Sascha Taurins won the Under 23s in a time of 1: 28:11 followed closely by Charlotte Ward in 1:30:43 Third was Kimberley Doyle in 1:32:40 Sascha was the 38th quickest overall, quicker than more than half of the fleet.

Special mention has to be made of the 15 to 18 years girls division which was won by Tully Elliott in 1:30:43 with Amelie Dooney second in 1:38:43 and Elizabeth Tyson third in 1:59:11 It was a tough race in the blustery conditions for many but these three really put in great performances.

Let’s not forget other first time performances like Josh Orr and Harry Parker in the 15 to 18 division. They did the race in 1:41:09 and 1:52:48 respectively. They will only get quicker. And Add-Style trusts they will all benefit from this great lifestyle event.