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World Champion Cory Hill
As part of our efforts to assist in the growth of Ocean Paddling around the World, Vaikobi is privileged to be part of the team who have been able to bring the 20 Beaches Ocean Classic back on to the Australian Ocean Racing Calendar after a three year hiatus.
Thanks to the amazing support of headline sponsor, Shaw and Partners and supporting partners KPMG and Fitness First, the 2018 Shaw and Partners 20 Beaches Ocean Classic is going to be one not to miss.
Importantly, the Early Bird Entry closes on November 15th, so don’t miss out on your chance to enter this race at the Early Bird price of $110 which is sensational value.
Enter now at: Shaw and Partners 20 Beaches Ocean Classic Entry
To motivate you all, here are 11 Awesome reasons why you just have to race in the 2018 Shaw and Partners 20 Beaches Ocean Classic:
1. Iconic Race: There is not a more iconic Ocean Paddling Race on the East Coast of Australia with the history of the 20 Beaches Ocean Classic, so get set to be part of history when the great race returns in 2018.
There will be a host of former winners competing as well as some of the best ocean padders from around the world, so get along and rub shoulders with the world's best.
2. Point to Point Race Track: Only dangerous conditions will stop us running a point to point race from Fishermans to Station Beach, so get set to race on what is the most scenic and awesome race tracks in the world. *Note we have a super back up "Storm Course" ready in the event that conditions are too big to run the normal offshore course.
The race will be conducted by the professional team from Ocean Paddler led by Dean Gardiner and Yanda Morrison.
Women's World Champion, Hayley Nixon from South Africa can't wait to get to Sydney
3. Free Vaikobi Ocean Performance Race Tee: Each competitor will receive a free Vaikobi Performance Race Tee valued at $55. There is half your entry value right there!
4. Free Beer and Burger at the Bavarian Manly for the presentation, 5pm Saturday 15th December. This is going to be a great party and a fantastic way to finish the last ocean race of the year. Get along with all your paddling mates to celebrate a great year at one of the best venues in Sydney.
5. Relay Race: This year, we are offering a relay option for those who are looking to share the race with a friend. The relay change over point will be at Mona Vale Basin.
6. $80,000 Prize Money: Thanks to our fantastic sponsors- Shaw and Partners, KPMG and Fitness First, we are thrilled to be able to offer a $80,000 prize pot to be spread across the divisions. Combined with the Doctor in Perth, the prize money on offer for these two races makes this the richest Ocean Racing Series in the World!
7. Safety: We will be using the Safe TRX mobile phone tracking ap for this race to support our strong on and off water safety team. Safety is our number one priority for this race, so if you are looking to compete in your first ocean race, then this is the one to do! The Mona Vale mid race turning mark is also another great safety feature for this race.
8. Race Hat: Thanks to Shaw and Partners, every competitor will receive an Awesome Vaikobi Race Hat. Rock it this Christmas Holidays.
Sean Rice (RSA) has been training the house down for the November and December racing season and can't wait to get his free Vaikobi Race shirt and hat!
9. Pre- Race training runs: This weekend we will be running our 2nd Pre- Race Paddle on Sunday 11th of November. Register at 20beaches.com.au
10. Because Ocean Paddling needs your support! The sport has been fantastically fortunate to have some amazing people put their heads together to sponsor, support and organise these great races, all with the common goal to grow the sport of Ocean Paddling.
These great people have put significant time and resources into running races like the 20 Beaches Classic, so get along and enter this great race to show your support for the sport of Ocean Racing.
11. Awesome fun! Just in case 10 was not enough. The 11th reason is simply because it is going to be awesome fun which you would not want to miss!
Vaikobi is looking forward to seeing everyone here in Sydney on December 15th 2018.
Austin Kieffer (USA) will be firing and ready to go!
Vaikobi is a proud supporter of the Australian Ocean Racing Series including the Iconic 2018 Shaw and Partners Doctor Ocean Classic.
For 2018 we will be offering an Official Event Tee Shirt, Official On-Water Performance Tee as well as a Retro Doctor Truckers Hat.
All items will be available in Perth for pick up during registration from Vaikobi.
You can order either here at vaikobi.com or when you enter at oceanpaddler.com
See you all in Perth!
Order your gear HERE
© 2018 Vaikobi
We are so stoked to finally announce a new partnership between Vaikobi International and World Surfski Champion, Hayley Nixon with the establishment of Vaikobi South Africa!
For a long time, South African paddlers have been only able to access Vaikobi gear whenever they travel abroad. Despite the challenges in accessing Vaikobi gear, South African paddlers have embraced Vaikobi's range of performance paddling gear and accessories.
Today, we are pleased to announce that through a new partnership with Vaikobi Race Team member and World Surfski Champion Hayley Nixon, Vaikobi is now available for purchase in South Africa and ready to ship locally to you.
CEO and Co-Founder of Vaikobi, Pat Langley commented, "We have got to know Hayley personally over the past 18 months when she joined the Vaikobi Race Team. Over this period we have been absolutely impressed with Hayley's professionalism, character and humility and we are just so pleased to be able to work with her to create Vaikobi South Africa. With the paddling scene so strong in SA, we have been eager to be able to make Vaikobi Gear more readily available for SA Paddlers, so we are now excited to be finally putting the plan in place!"
Hayley Nixon, Vaikobi South Africa, is also thrilled to commence this partnership: "From the moment I was introduced to Pat, Adrienne and the Team at Vaikobi, I was amazed at their ability to consistently design and develop such innovative gear, designed specifically for what we do. From joining the Vaikobi Race Team of Athletes, to now having the opportunity establish Vaikobi South Africa is absolutely fantastic and I am stoked to be able to begin this journey with the Vaikobi Team.",
She added, "It is just great that we can now make Vaikobi gear more readily available here for South African Paddlers".
Customers will be able to order direct from the Vaikobi Website, www.vaikobi.com with only local shipping costs charged. Alternatively, Hayley can be contacted at hayley@vaikobi.com. Hayley will no doubt be at a race near you at some point soon!
Please visit www.vaikobi.com to learn more about Vaikobi and our innovative range of gear and accessories.
We are excited to launch a new generation of the hugely popular Vaikobi Ocean Racing PFD- The V3 Ocean Racing PFD
The V3 Ocean Racing PFD features some new updates to increase comfort and performance including:
We have kept many of the existing design features which have made this PFD so popular, including our super soft, form fitting foam that bends around the body and our overall ultra lightweight construction.
If you are training or racing in the harbour or a few kilometres offshore in the ocean, the Vaikobi Ocean Racing PFD will not only make you feel lighter and more comfortable in the boat, but will also make you highly visible to those around you for when you want to be seen.
Key Product Features:
The new V3 Ocean Racing PFD is available in 3 new colour ways:
Fluro Yellow/ Grey
Fluro Orange/ Grey
Cyan/ Grey (Limited stock available, be quick!)
Available now through all Vaikobi Dealers and through www.vaikobi.com
Introducing the New Vaikobi VDRY Range of lightweight Jacket and Vests!
The Wind and Water are the enemy when it comes to maintaining optimum body temperature for peak performance when training across all seasons.
Enter Vaikobi's new VDRY range of super lightweight Jacket and Vests, designed to protect your body from the elements whilst controlling body temperature to ensure maximum performance.
Available now through your locally Vaikobi Dealer and through www.vaikobi.com
Vaikobi's International Team of Ocean Ski Athletes will arrive in Hawaii this weekend in the lead up to the 2018 Maui Jim Molokai Challenge, which will this year be held on Sunday May 27th.
This 32 Mile (53 Kilometres) crossing from Molokai to Oahu is one of the most prestigious Ocean Ski races in the World and this year marks the 43rd Annual Crossing across the "Channel of Bones".
The 2018 Molokai will pit the Vaikobi Race Team against each other as they all battle for the title in both the Men's and Women's.
With Vaikobi’s 2017 Molokai Champion, Sean Rice, deciding not to return this year to defend his title, the Men’s field is wide open with a host of contenders looking to claim the converted Molokai World Championship.
Pic- Cory "Chill" Hill (AUS) has been putting in the miles with his training partner on the Gold Coast, Mackenzie Hynard (AUS)
New to the Vaikobi Race Team in 2018 is Current World Champion and 2015 Molokai Champion, Cory "Chill" Hill (Fenn/ Shaw & Partners Race Team/ Vaikobi), who is looking to re-gain the Molokai title after a few years of ups and downs in this race, including a wipe out in the last 2 kilometres of the 2016 edition when he cut too close to the rocks after exiting China Wall. Cory then backed up with a fantastic 3rd in 2017.
Pic- Mackenzie Hynard (AUS) had a breakout year in 2017 and is looking to continue his progression to the top
Mackenzie "Macca" Hynard (Think Kayak/ Shaw and Partners Race Team/ Vaikobi) from the Gold Coast is also looking to make an impression in Hawaii this year. Macca had his best year yet in 2017 with quite a few podium results and will feature strongly on race day as he continues his progression to the top.
Macca's training partner on the Gold Coast is none other than Cory Hill.
Pic- Austin Kieffer enjoying the sensational conditions in the recent Maui to Molokai
From San Francisco, CA, is the irrepressible Austin Kieffer (Fenn/ Vaikobi/OceanPaddleSports) who is gunning to be the first American to win the Molokai Challenge since the Hawaiian Kalai Handley won back in 1978. Austin is channelling his inner Tom Seleck for the race with a pretty cool handlebar moustache!
Austin recently finished 2nd in the Maui to Molokai behind Pat Dolan which was run in sensational downwind conditions.
PIC- Austin Kieffer (USA) will be starring as a young Tom Seleck in the remake of Magnum PI, to be released by HBO in 2019!
New Zealander, Andy Mowlem (Think Kayak/ Kayak HQ/Vaikobi) is also in top form after his recent victory in the Vaikobi King of the Harbour in Auckland. Andy loves the long distance and will be in contention in the end.
PIC- Andy Mowlem on his way to victory in the Vaikobi King of the Harbour
The usual list of contenders will be also gunning for the title including Jasper Mocke, Hank McGregor and Pat Dolan. Former race winners and legends of the sport, Oscar Chalupsky, Dean Gardiner and Clint Robinson will also be on the start line to prove that experience counts when conditions get big!
Outrigger legend and Hawaiian local Kai Bartlett, will be racing in the Ski race on his new proto type Ocean Ski, which will make him another one to follow.
PIC- Rachel Clarke of the Shaw and Partners Race Team in Sydney
The Women's race is set be the toughest in recent history with a host of contenders, arriving in Hawaii to race across the channel.
Two members of the Vaikobi race team will be battling it out in the front.
Defending Molokai Champion, Rachel Clarke (Epic, Shaw and Partners Race Team/ Vaikobi) from New Zealand, feels right at home out in the Channel and is looking to rack up her 3rd Molokai victory after completing another fantastic period of training in the build up to the great race.
Rachel's experience and her ocean skills will make her the one to beat.
PIC- Hayley Nixon on her way to claiming her first World Championship in Hong Kong in November 2017
Current World Champion, Hayley Nixon (Carbonology/ Shaw and Partners/ Eurosteel/ Vaikobi) from South Africa, has put in a last minute burst of training to be ready for the 53 Kilometre race. Hayley's marathon paddling experience and base endurance will come in handy as the race progresses.
The battle between these two will be fantastic to watch, however this year, there is a 3rd person joining the party at the head of the field, with Australian Iron Woman and Molokai Paddle Board World Champion, Jordan Mercer taking on Hayley and Rachel for the title.
The other interesting entry in the Women's is the 2016 World SUP Woman's Champion, Penelope Strickland from New Zealand. Pea has pedigree and endurance, so it will be great to watch her race on the Ocean Ski.
PIC- Rachel Clark in training in New Zealand in her Vaikobi VCOLD FLEX gear
PIC-Earl Evans from Shaw and Partners, with Rachel Clark and Pat Langley (Vaikobi) at the Shaw and Partners Race Team launch in Sydney. Earl will be racing the Molokai with Luke Horder in the Relay.
The action begins on Sunday the 20th of May with The Shaw and Partners Makapu'u Dash from Makai Pier to Hawaii Kai.
We wish all competitors a great week in Hawaii!
The Vaikobi King and Queen of the Harbour were crowned in Auckland on Saturday with Andy Mowlem claiming the Men's title with a commanding performance and Rachel Clarke taking her 6th consecutive New Zealand National Championship title by again winning the Women’s.
ANDY MOWLEM WINNING THE VAIKOBI KING AND QUEEN OF THE HARBOUR
RACHEL CLARKE POWERING PAST DEVONPORT
Saturday morning dawned with nice bright sunny conditions with a gentle westerly blowing over the City of Sails in Auckland.
With the forecast showing a 15-18 knot westerly to build during the day, Race Director Garth Spencer set the “Hobsonville Humdinger” race course, aptly named due to the fantastic running conditions experienced when paddling down the Waitemata Harbour in a westerly.
As we got closer to start time, the wind kept building nicely and the sun made way for some light showers and overcast conditions further increasing the excitement amongst competitors.
RACE START
This year saw 88 Ocean skis and 11 SUPs take on the 23kilometre long course, whilst there were 6 Ocean ski’s and 1 SUP take on the 11km short loop course out of Takapuna.
The pace out of the start was frenetic with young Kayak Sprinters Jordan Mclarin and Quaid Thomson blasting out of the blocks in an attempt to blow away the more seasoned ocean ski paddlers. They had quite a bit of success in breaking up the field with a clear group of 7 paddlers forming the lead pack after the first ten minutes of racing.
RACE FIELD
Andy Mowlem managed to survive the fast early pace to then make his first move in the technical conditions and take a 5 boat length lead from Jordan Mclarin and the foxy Race Director, Garth Spencer in a solid 3rd place.
JORDAN MCLARIN
Once the field turned left at North Head, they were confronted with a 15-18 knot headwind all the way back to Takapuna Beach. Competitors were faced with the decision of staying closer to shore to get less headwind, or deciding to head offshore into more favourable current.
From North Head, Andy Mowlem extended his lead further whilst behind him, Garth Spencer closed the gap on Jordan Mclarin to eventually pass him in the last 2 kilometres of the race.
RACE DIRECTOR AND 2nd PLACE MENS SKI, GARTH SPENCER
At the beach in Takapuna, Andy powered home to claim an emphatic 2 minute and 7 second victory over the fast finishing Garth Spencer in 2nd. Jordan Mclarin showed his future potential to finish a fantastic 3rd place in the all class Kiwi field.
TOP 3 MENS OCEAN SKI
In the Women’s Ski, Rachel Clarke from the Shaw and Partners Race Team, claimed her 6th NZ National title in style with a big win over the evergreen Dene Simpson and co event director Danika Mowlem in 3rd.
TOP 3 WOMENS- OCEAN SKI
In the Doubles, Oskar Stielau and Robbie Ford scored a big win over Gavin Clark and Glenn Grey in 2nd and Anton Reiman and Len Beer in 3rd.
DOUBLE WINNERS- OSKAR STIELAU AND ROBBIE FORD
Whilst the SUP field was small this year due to a clash with the Carolina Cup, the level at the front was still amazing with James Reeves from Kawau Downwinders claiming a 2 minute and 5 second win over Matt Anderson and Jan Dunlop. 2016 SUP World Champion, Penelope Strickland dominated the womens to finish 4th overall.
TOP 3 MENS SUP- WINNER JAMES REEVES ON FAR LEFT
TOP 3 WOMENS SUP
The Vaikobi King and Queen of the Harbour continues to grow from strength to strength with a strong community of volunteers all combining to put together this great event each year. We are looking forward to welcoming you all to Auckland in 2019!
Full results can be viewed HERE
To view Pre and post race interview and replays of the FB live feed, go to the King and Queen of the Harbour facebook page HERE
2018 VAIKOBI KING AND QUEEN OF THE HARBOUR
TOP 10 MENS- OCEAN SKI
1. ANDY MOWLEM- ROYAL AKARANA PADDLERS- NEW ZEALAND
2. GARTH SPENCER- ROYAL AKARANA PADDLERS- NEW ZEALAND
3. JORDAN MCLARIN- WCMC- NEW ZEALAND
4. SIMON LONGDILL- ROYAL AKARANA PADDLERS- NEW ZEALAND
5. TOBIAS BROOK- WHANGANUI KAYAK CLUB- NEW ZEALAND
6. TODD BORLAND- WOLLONGONG PADDLERS- AUSTRALIA
7. HADYN LOCKIE- TASMAN BAY- NEW ZEALAND
8. LEOPOLD TEPA- HUAHINE SURFSKI- TAIHITI
9. QUAID THOMPSON- POVERTY BAY- NEW ZEALAND
10. JEREMY KUGGELEIJN- ROYAL AKARANA PADDLERS- NEW ZEALAND
TOP 3 WOMENS- OCEAN SKI
1. RACHEL CLARKE- TAKAPUNA BOAT CLUB- NEW ZEALAND
2. DENE SIMPSON- TAKA PUNA BOAT CLUB- NEW ZEALAND
3. DANIKA MOWLEM- NEW ZEALAND
TOP 3 DOUBLES- OCEAN SKI
1. OSKAR STIELAU/ ROBBIE FORD
2. GAVIN CLARK/ GLEN GREY
3. ANTON REIMAN/ LEN BEER
TOP 3 SUP MENS
1. JAMES REEVES
2. MATT ANDERSON
3. JAN DUNLOP
TOP 3 SUP WOMENS
1. PENELOPE STRICKLAND
2. ANGELA MCKEE
3. HEATHER NICCOLLS
SHORT COURSE TOP 3
1. ANDREW STEVENS
2. NENNI DISSE
3. THOMAS FRITZEN