The final event of the Australian Ocean Racing Series will take place on March 7 on Sydney Harbour. The Manly Wharf Bridge to Beach is expected to draw well over 600 paddlers, a host of swimmers and stand-up paddle boarders. This is the last chance for paddlers to lift their national ranking for next year’s series.
The 11 kilometre event starts under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishes at Manly Beach. For the front runners it’s a sprint but for some it’s a scenic day out on one of the most beautiful harbours. This event attracts all types of paddle craft and is regarded as the “City to Surf” of ocean paddling.
This year’s front runners will include an in form Jeremy Cotter who is expected to battle it out with Tim Jacobs. Jacobs has been Cotters bridesmaid this year and is keen to take the title won last year by Clint Robinson. Robinson has not been sighted this year so it is doubtful he will be back to defend.
Back from his foray into triathlon is Caine Eckstein. The multiple Coolangatta Gold winner will be holding nothing back and is keen to make his presence felt on the front runners.
Cotter has already won the national title with an almost clean sweep in the AORS. Jacobs will move into second place with a dais at the B to B and is expected to do so.
“Even though I have already won the national title I still love doing this race” Said Cotter “it is incredible lining up with over 500 other paddlers and just going for it down the harbour” “I got so close to winning last year, I really want it this year” he said.
“Tim loves this stuff as does Caine so both of those guys will be tough to beat”
While the race is going on at pointy end there will be a thousand smaller races going on within a race. The doubles category is expected to be one the most competitive with many crews picking up new doubles over the last few weeks. One of those pairs is Jason Cunningham and Glen Orchard. “What’s classic about this race is not only the race itself but the social atmosphere at the and makes it all the more fun” they said “ You finish then watch the assortment of paddle craft coming in over the next couple of hours, sipping a coldie from the balcony of the Bavarian Beir Cafe, doesn’t get any better than that”
Former ironman champ Guy Leech will be mentoring his training group through the event. Leech has a large band of loyal paddling students who use this event as their benchmark each year. Leech is expected to do well in the over 40 category.
Channel 7 personality Tom (the toothbrush) Williams will be vying for a top 20 position along with a host of guys and girls that he paddles with most mornings.
Registrations are open till Friday the 5th of March with late rego’s on the day. For more info go to www.bridgetobeach.com.au.
