Program
The Shaw and Partners WA Race Week is proudly supported by City of Joondalup.
The 2024 Program will be available in due course.
Please check out the 2023 Program below.
Thank you to Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club for hosting our events at their surf club.
The program of events will be updated regularly. All times and events are subject to change.
For 2023 – All competitors will need to be on Rottnest Island and checked in by 10am. Check the program for full details.
DOCTOR COURSE INFORMATION : The Doctor is scheduled to race on Saturday 25th November 2023 starting at Rottnest Island and finishing at Sorrento Beach. In the event of dangerous conditions on Saturday the event may be moved to Sunday 26th November or an alternative course put in place. If wind strength is forecast to exceed our maximum operational strength for the course we will move the event to a coastal race.
Program Highlights
| Time | Activity | Location |
| Saturday 18th November 2023 | ||
2pm
| Organised by Indian Ocean Paddlers. 24km downwind race from Port Beach, Fremantle to Sorrento Beach | 2pm Start Port Beach, Fremantle to Sorrento Beach |
| Sunday 19th November 2023 | ||
| 9am | Shaw and Partners & Race One Surf Craft Nippers Clinic | Sorrento SLSC |
| 4-6pm | Shaw and Partners Welcome BBQ | Sorrento SLSC |
| Tuesday 21st November 2023 | ||
5pm
| Dr Benjamin Hewitt Sunset Surfski Series Race 2 Organised by City of Perth SLSC. | 5pm Race Start Port Beach, Fremantle to City Beach |
| Wednesday 22nd November 2023 | ||
| 7am | WA Race Week Sponsor Demonstration Road Show Fenn, NK, Nelo, Race One Surf Craft and Knysna
| Morning Sorrento SLSC |
| 5pm | Special Guest Speakers John Maclean and Jon White + Live Music and Happy Hour (5-6pm) | Sorrento SLSC |
| Thursday 23rd November 2023 | ||
5pm | Dr Benjamin Hewitt Sunset Surfski Series Race 3 Organised by City of Perth SLSC. | 5pm Race Start Port Beach, Fremantle to City Beach |
| Friday 24th November 2023 | ||
7.15am | Shaw and Partners Dash for Cash Organised by Oceanpaddler. Surf Ski Sprint Race. | Morning Sorrento Beach |
| Saturday 25th November 2023 | ||
Morning | Organised by Oceanpaddler. The Finale of the Shaw and Partners WA Race Week. 27km from Rottnest Island to Sorrento Beach. | Rottnest Island to Sorrento Beach |
The Doctor Program
Time | Activity | Location |
Friday 24th November 2023 | ||
7.15am Start (6.30am Check in) | Shaw and Partners Dash for Cash | Sorrento Beach |
Approx 10am-12pm and 4-6pm | Registration for The Shaw and Partners Doctor Registrations will open after the Dash for Cash presentations. | Sorrento SLSC |
2.30 – 5.00pm | Barge Loading for The Doctor Click here for more info. (numbers limited. You must book and pay online if available) | North Fremantle |
5.00pm | Dinner available at Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club. | Sorrento SLSC |
6.00pm | Compulsory Event Briefing for The Shaw and Partners Doctor | Sorrento SLSC |
Saturday 25th November 2023 – The Doctor Race Day*** See more detailed information on race day below this table | ||
7.30am | Competitors travel to Rottnest Island on ferry or own transport. Ferry departs Hillary Marina for Rottnest Island with Rottnest Fast Ferries. Other ferry options are also available. | Rottnest Fast Ferries depart from Hillarys Marina, Sorrento. |
From 8.00am | Ferry arrives on Rottnest Island Competitors assist with moving craft from the barge to the beach. Competitors prepare craft for race – attach rudders and sponsor and race stickers to craft. | Main Jetty, Rottnest Island |
Prior to 10am | Race Check-In & Equipment Check Competitors must check in on Rottnest Island. We will advise when this opens once on the island. Check in closes at 10am. Anyone that does not check in before 10am will not be allowed to race. | Near Main Jetty Rottnest Island |
As advised by Race Director | Compulsory Event Briefing | Army Jetty, Rottnest Island |
As advised by Race Director | Event Start | Army Jetty, Rottnest Island |
Afternoon | Finish at Sorrento Beach | Sorrento SLSC |
| 4.00pm onwards | Food and drinks available at Sorrento Surf Club. | Sorrento SLSC |
| 6pm | Presentations for The Shaw and Partners Doctor and WA Race Week You must be present to receive your award. | Location TBC |
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Important Information for The Doctor
Friday 24th November – The Doctor Registration & Briefing at Sorrento Beach SLSC
Registration will WA Race Week will take place during the week. For those only doing The Doctor, registration will be available on Friday 24th November. Time TBC.
Final Event Briefing for The Doctor will take place at 6.00pm at Sorrento SLSC. All competitors are required to attend please.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you register on Friday night and decide not to do the race you must call or text Oceanpaddler on 0422 554 965 to advise you have withdrawn.
Saturday 25th November – Doctor Race Day
Ferry to Rottnest Island
2023 – All competitors will need to be on Rottnest Island and checked in at Army Jetty (start location) by 10am. More information will be available soon.
Competitors travel to Rottnest Island by ferry. This takes approx 40mins.
Rottnest Fast Ferries are our preferred Ferry carrier. The ferry departs from Hillarys Marina at 7.30. You must book directly with Rottnest Fast Ferries. Click here for more info.
There are other ferry companies also available to get to Rottnest Island.
We want all competitors to be on Rottnest Island as early as possible as the event may start anytime depending on shipping movements and conditions. You must be there by 10am.
When you Arrive On Rottnest Island
When you arrive on Rottnest you must get your craft off the barge. The barge will be at the Main Jetty where the ferry arrives. You are responsible for looking after your own craft.
You can install your rudders at the Main Jetty and paddle over (south) to Army Jetty where the start will be. We will direct you when to do this.
Race Check-In & Equipment Check on Rottnest Island
All competitors will need to be on Rottnest Island (start location) by 10am. Check program for full details.
You must check in and show your mandatory equipment. Any competitors that fail to check-in will be disqualified and unable to race. This must be done by 10am.
Make sure you take the following to Rottnest Island:
- Mandatory equipment as outlined on the Rules and Equipment page.
- Timing chip collected on Friday – to be worn on your ankle
- Rudder for your ski and tools to attached your rudder (all rudders will be removed for the barge transport)
- Your paddle
- Fluids for the race (you can purchase drinks at Rottnest if needed but it is strongly recommended to take water with you for both pre and during the race)
Sponsor and race number stickers for your craft that will be provided at registration
Take minimal gear as what you take to Rottnest you will need to paddle back with! Do not take anything other than what you are paddling in or what can be thrown away on Rottnest as we are unable to bring any gear back to the mainland. Please ensure you use rubbish bins at Rottnest.
There will be equipment scrutineering on Rottnest Island. Any competitor that does not abide by the stated Rules and Equipment requirements will be automatically disqualified and prohibited from racing.
Race Briefing
This will take place prior to the start at Army Jetty. See map below. The time will be advised once you are on Rottnest Island.
Start Location
Army Jetty, Thompson Bay, Rottnest Island. See map below
The race will start immediately in front of the Army Jetty. The course will pass to the South of both Phillip Rock and Centaur Reef South Cardinal Marker. After rounding the Centaur Reef South Cardinal Marker it will be a direct line to Sorrento Beach. The details of the finish will be explained at the briefing. Check the Course page.
Start Times
The start time is dependent on shipping movements and conditions and can take place anytime from 10am onwards. Therefore please ensure you get to Rottnest Island as early as possible and have checked in by 10am.
Start waves will be communicated ot the race briefing Friday night and on Saturday.
Finish Location
Sorrento Beach, outside Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club. from 4pm food and drinks available. Please support the club that supports our event and join us for dinner and drinks.
Presentations
Approx 6.00pm at Sorrento SLSC.
Oceanpaddler contacts during the event:
Oceanpaddler Mobile: 0422 554 965
Sorrento Beach Map
Rottnest Island Map
Have you downloaded the SafeTrx App?
The event tracking App for The Doctor.
Click here for full details.
