Thank you for registering for the 2017 Manly Wharf Bridge to Beach supporting the Fragile X Association of Australia that will take place this Sunday 26th February 2017.
The event is the final race of the Anytime Fitness Australian Ocean Racing Series presented by Shaw and Partners.
Thank you for your generous donation to the Fragile X Association of Australia when entering online. We would also like to thank the Shaw and Partners Foundation for matching the donations raised through the Bridge to Beach event.
We would like to thank all our sponsors of this year’s Manly Wharf Bridge to Beach – Manly Wharf, Anytime Fitness, Shaw and Partners, The Bavarian, Inamo, Thortz, Nelo Surf Ski, Epic Kayaks, Fenn, Super Mario Surf Skis, Motionize, Vaikobi, Mocke, Kani Paddling Gear, Anchor Building, Vision Building and Pro-Kayaks.
Inamo 5000 – First Across the Line
For the first time in the history of the race the four major individual disciplines – Ski, SUP, OC1 and Prone Paddleboards will be racing for line honours in the INAMO 5000 First Across the Line. The winner will take home $5000 loaded on an INAMO CURL. For further details on the INAMO 5000 race click here.
Shaw and Partners Message in a Bottle – Win $200
Find a bottle, win $200! Shaw and Partners Wealth Management are offering five lucky competitors the chance to win $200 simply by finding the Shaw and Partners floating bottles during the Manly Wharf Bridge to Beach.
Five bottles will be placed along the course from the Harbour Bridge to Manly Wharf, and all you need to do is pluck them out of the water and win $200! Bring the bottle to the presentation following the race to pick up your cash.
IMPORTANT COMPETITOR INFORMATION
Please take the time to read this important information regarding event day.
When on the water, please ensure you listen to the direction of the safety and race officials at all times and follow the race course (see details below). Stay out of the main channel at all times when paddling by keeping all green buoys on your right hand side.
WEATHER UPDATE
The latest weather update for Sunday 26 February is as follows:
Winds: South to southeasterly 10 to 15 knots tending east to southeasterly during the afternoon.
Seas: Below 0.5 metres.
Weather: Cloudy. 95% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm.
REGISTRATIONS
- Registrations will be take place on both Saturday at Oceanpaddler and Sunday at Blues Point Reserve as outlined below. You only need to register once on either Saturday or Sunday. By registering on Saturday you will avoid the crowds and will not have to line up on Sunday.
- Registrations will take place:
- 12.00 – 5.00pm on Saturday at the Oceanpaddler store located at 410 Pittwater Rd, North Manly. Ph 02 8065 0385. Please don’t turn up before 12pm as we will not be ready.
- 6.00 – 7.00am on Sunday at Blues Point Reserve, the start location.
- All competitors will be receive an official 2017 Manly Wharf Bridge to Beach hat provided by Shaw and Partners to be worn in the race.
- *** IMPORTANT SAFETY MESSAGE – If you register on Saturday then decide not to race on Sunday morning you must TEXT either Dean Gardiner 0427 171 403 or Yanda Morison 0414 45 46 48 to advise and be withdrawn from the event. This is extremely important so we know exactly who is on the water racing.
- Registrations will close at 7am. Please don’t be late.
RACE BRIEFING
- Compulsory race briefing for all competitors will be at Blues Point Reserve at 7am.
- Registrations will close at 7am prior to the race briefing.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
- Lifejackets – All competitors are required to wear a Level 50/50S (Type 2/3) Australian Standard PFD/Lifejacket to comply with Maritime. Prone Paddleboard competitors only are permitted to wear the inflatable bum-bag style lifejackets. We will have these available to hire or buy on race day or at registration on Saturday at Oceanpaddler.
- Safety Leashes – These are required by competitors to maintain contact with their craft. Coastal Rowers & OC6s do not require a leash. Sea Kayaks are permitted to use a paddle leash.
- Electronic Timing Chip – All competitors will be provided with a timing chip to be worn on either your left or right ankle.
- Mobile Phone recommended – In case you pull out and need to call the race officials to be withdrawn from the event (Dean Gardiner on 0427 171 403 or Yanda Morison on 0414 454 648).
WARM UP AREA & MARSHALLING FOR START
As there is limited space to enter the water at Blues Point please do this quickly to allow all competitors ample time to make it to the start.
All competitors must warm up inside Lavendar Bay and not in the main shipping channel.
Competitors will be called out to the start line to correspond with the start waves as listed below.
The start line will be approx 100m before the Harbour Bridge just outside of Lavendar Bay.
Any competitors outside of Lavender Bay prior to their designated race start will be disqualified from the event.
EVENT START TIMES
The race will be handicapped for the Inamo 5000 line honours. As such there will be nine (9) start waves starting from 07:35am. Please ensure you know what start wave you are in.
Competitors will be called out to the start line in wave order. Please listen to the direction of staff.
Do not break the start or you will be disqualified.
If you do not think you are a top contender please do not position yourself on the front line.
Start Waves
- 07:35:00 – Wave 1 – Prone Paddleboard Female
- 07:39:58 – Wave 2 – SUP Female
- 07:44:41 – Wave 3 – Prone Paddleboard Male, all Coastal Rowers categories
- 07:48:39 – Wave 4 – SUP Male
- 07:49:38 – Wave 5 – OC1 Female
- 07:49:53 – Wave 6 – Ocean & SLSA Ski Female (all ages), all Plastic singles and Sea Kayak singles male and female. No doubles.
- 07:56:03 – Wave 7 – OC1 Male
- 07:57:43 – Wave 8 – Ocean & SLSA Ski Male (all ages)
- 08.00.00 – Wave 9 – All double craft, all OC2, OC3 and OC6
CUT OFF TIMES
- 9.30am – Cutoff time at Bradleys Head (3.29kms from Start)
- 10.15am – Cutoff time at Middle Head (3.55kms from Bradleys Head 6.84kms from Start)
If you do not make these cut off times a safety official will advise and endeavour to get you and your craft the finish line. Depending on weather conditions you may be dropped off at the closest accessible beach and your support crew will need to collect you. We will relay this information to the finish line. For this reason we recommend carrying a mobile phone.
THE COURSE
Make sure you listen to the direction of the safety and race officials at all times and follow the race course.
All competitors must pass the following buoys and safety vessels by keeping the buoys to their right.
- Safety vessel located 50m off Kirribilli Point
- Flat white disc shape buoy 1.5m wide in Athol Bay immediately offshore from Taronga Zoo
- Safety vessel located 50m off Bradleys Point
- Black and yellow buoy over 1 mtr high east off Dobroyd Head
Competitors must keep well clear of the channel from Bradleys Head to Middle Head. This means keeping all Green Channel markers in this area on your right hand side.
By going to these buoys you will stay clear of the ferry channels.
Please follow the direction of safety and official boats.
PULL OUTS
If you pull out of the event after the start or are withdrawn from the event you will be put ashore at the closest accessible beach. We will take your race number (timing number) and relay it back to the finish. This information will be announced over the PA to make your handlers aware of this and they may be required to come and get you.
If you register and collect your timing chip on Saturday then decide not to race you must send a text to the event director Dean Gardiner on 0427 171 403 or Yanda Morison on 0414 454 648. If you pull out before the finish you must also text Dean or Yanda to advise.
We strongly suggest you take with you a mobile phone with our numbers so you can call us if you pull out.
PRESENTATIONS AT THE BAVARIAN
The Bavarian will be hosting the Bridge to Beach awards presentation on its outdoor deck at the end of the event from approximately 11am. Sit back, relax and enjoy a specially designed lunch and beverage menu. All competitors will receive a free drink voucher following the race.
Fragile X will be presenting prizes for those that participated in the fundraising challenge and donated online.
Medals will be awarded to top 3 category winners. Lucky door prizes will be awarded these include:
- Inamo CURLs with $100
- $200 Bavarian Vouchers
- Motionize Paddle Edge
- Mocke Lifejacket
- Plus more…..
Good luck to all competitors.
Thank you to all our supporting sponsors.
