Race 1
Thursday 19th November 2026
After a successful debut in 2025, the Shaw and Partners Downwind International returns in 2026 as part of Shaw and Partners WA Race Week — now including all singles and double craft categories as well as the popular prone division.
This is an evening event along Perth’s coastline from City Beach to Sorrento.
Start: City Beach
Finish: Sorrento Beach
Distance: 12km
Start Time: 5pm
Open to: Single and Double surf skis, OC1 and OC2, Prone Paddleboards, SUPs & Foils.
Friday 20th November 2026
A short and exciting 2km race for Prone Paddleboard competitors and U16 & U19 Surf Ski paddlers, starting at 5:00pm.
This event is aimed at encouraging participation from the local surf lifesaving community and younger paddlers, providing a great opportunity to be part of Shaw and Partners WA Race Week.
Start: Watermans Beach (just south of Sorrento)
Finish: Sorrento Beach
Start Time: 5pm
Distance: 2km
Open to: Prone Paddleboards and U16 & U19 Single Surf Skis
Race 3
Saturday 21st November 2026
The Shaw and Partners Doctor is one of the most iconic downwind races in the world.
Paddlers cross from Rottnest Island to the mainland, chasing the famous Fremantle Doctor sea breeze back to shore. It is the race every competitor comes to conquer.
Start: Rottnest Island
Finish: Sorrento Beach
Start Time: Anytime from 10am
Distance: 27km
Open to: Single and Double surf skis, OC1 and OC2, Prone Paddleboards, SUPs & Foils.
For the kids
Sunday 22nd November 2026
Shaw and Partners Financial Services and Race One Surf Craft is bringing the cream of elite surf sports athletes to Perth for the WA Race Week.
This is a rare opportunity to spend some time with, and be coached by some of Australia’s finest surf sports athletes.
A FREE 90 minute clinic for Nippers (U10’s – U13’s) with the Legends of Surf Life Saving.
Location: Sorrento Beach
Start Time: 9am
Open to: All Nippers
Race 4
Saturday 28th November 2026
The Fenn West Coast Downwinder is run by the local paddling community Indian Ocean Paddlers Inc (IOP)
This classic downwind course runs straight up the coastline, taking paddlers from Fremantle to Sorrento Beach, passing the iconic beaches of Cottesloe and Scarborough along the way.
Start: Port Beach, Fremantle
Finish: Sorrento Beach
Start Time: 2pm
Distance: 25km
Open to: Single and Double surf skis, OC1 and OC2, Prone Paddleboards, SUPs & Foils.