COMPETITOR INFORMATION

The Manly Wharf Bridge to Beach is the final event of the Anytime Fitness Australian Ocean Racing Series presented by Men’s Fitness​.

Thank you for registering in the 2015 Manly Wharf Bridge to Beach supporting the Fragile X Association of Australia that will take place this Sunday 22nd March 2015.

Many thanks for the continued support of Manly Wharf our presenting sponsor. Thank you for your generous donation to the Fragile X Association of Australia when entering online. http://fragilex.org.au

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• Make sure you are at the briefing which will be held at 7.00AM at Blues Point
• If you are paddling to the start make sure you have lights as it may still be dark
• Make sure you have the correct safety equipment – PFD and Safety leash
• Make sure you have your timing chip
• Warm up only in Lavender Bay and not in the main shipping channels
• Do not break the start or you will be disqualified
• If you do not think you can win the race do not position yourself on the front line
• Make sure you listen to the direction of the safety and race officials
• Make sure you follow the race course (read notes below)
• Stay out of the main channels so when paddling from Bradleys Head to Middle Head keep all Green buoys on your Right

Registration & Briefing

• Registration will be open on Saturday 21st March from 12-5pm at the Oceanpaddler store where you will collect your TIMING CHIP, RACE SHIRT and REGO BAG. Oceanpaddler is located at 410 Pittwater Rd, North Manly. Ph 02 8065 0385.
• Registration will also be open on race day from 6 – 7.00am, however to avoid the crowds we recommend registering on Saturday.
• Compulsory race briefing will be at Blues Point at 7am

 Weather Forecast

Winds – Southeasterly 10 to 15 knots turning easterly during the morning
Seas – Below 0.5 metres.
Weather – Cloudy. 30% chance of a shower

Warm Up area and Marshalling for the Start

All competitors must warm up inside Lavendar Bay and wait to be called out to the start line. The start line will be approx 100m before the Harbour Bridge just outside of Lavendar Bay (not under the Harbour Bridge).

There will be three start waves. SUPs & Paddleboards will be called out first followed by Coastal Rowers. The rest of the field will not be called out until after 7.50am.

Any competitors outside of Lavender Bay prior to race start will be disqualified from the event.

As there is limited areas to enter the water at Blues Point please do this quickly to allow all competitors ample time to make it to the start.

The Course

It is important that all competitors follow the race course.

All competitors must pass the following buoys and safety vessels by keeping them 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 number and timing ID 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 call 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 call Dean or Yanda to advise.

Event Times on Race Day 

Start times are approximate only. Time may be slightly altered due to Maritime NSW shipping schedule.

• 6.00am – Registration opens at Blues Point Park, North Sydney. All competitors must sign off their name and collect their timing chip at registration prior to the start of race. You may also do this on Saturday afternoon at Oceanpaddler between 12 and 5pm.
• 7.00am – Compulsory Race Briefing.
• 7.30am – SUPs and Paddleboards start
• 7.45am – Coastal Rowers start
• 8.00-8.10am – Event start for rest of field
• 9.00am – Cutoff time at Bradleys Head (3.29kms from Start)
• 10.00am – Cutoff time at Middle Head (3.55kms from Bradleys Head 6.84kms from Start)
• 11.00am – Presentations for all categories at the Bavarian Bier Cafe

Safety Equipment Requirement

• PFDs – Competitors are required to wear a Level 50/50S (Type 2/3) Australian Standard PFD/Lifejacket to comply with Maritime.
• Safety Leashes –  These are required by competitors to maintain contact with their craft.  Coastal Rowers do not require a leash.

Presentations at Bavarian Bier Cafe

The Bavarian Bier Café will be hosting the Bridge to Beach awards presentation on its outdoor deck at the end of the event. The friendly team at Bavarian Bier Café Manly Wharf will be serving up a hearty breakfast for all family and friends. All competitors will receive a free drink voucher.

Fragile X will be presenting prizes for those that participated in the Fundraising Challenge and donated online.

Good luck to all competitors.

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SUPPORTING SPONSORS