As we draw closer to our final event of the 2022 National Series, we have some updates to the event format and additional information to share with you. This year, the Viking Bay Classic is set to be another great event with two full races, Juniors and other events happening locally to the beach.
Event Format
Upon consideration of the potential conditions and tides, we have decided to switch our two races round, with the South East Regional Series race now taking place in the morning with our National series race moving to the afternoon. This will ensure both races get the best conditions through the incoming tide across the day. The exact formats are TBC and will be presented in the Paddler Information Pack subject to the weather on the day. The Regional race will be a Hybrid format of roughly 6km, and the National Tech will be 4/5km in length.
Event Timings
Full event timings are as follows:
Competitor check-in - 8:30 - 9:30 am
Competitor Day briefing - 10:00 am
South East Series Race Briefing - 10:15 am
South East Series Hybrid Race - 11:00 am
WSA Junior Activities briefing - 12:45 pm
WSA Junior Activities Start - 1:00 pm
GBSUP National Race Check-in - 1:00 - 2:00 pm
GBSUP National Race briefing - 2:30 pm
GBSUP National Race Start - 3:15 pm
Day Prize Giving - 4:30 - 5 pm
National Series Awards & Event Close- 5:30 pm
WSA Junior Activities
Once again, the WSA are hosting our Junipor Clinics and Races, which WSA SUP Coach Ben Julian will coordinate. Juniors between the ages of 12 - 17 can register to take part, or if under 12, they must be confident paddlers and comfortable in sea conditions, ideally. All paddlers should be able to paddle unaided.
Please bring your own kit if you have it, including boards, wetsuits, buoyancy aids and paddles. GBSUP will have some kit available on a first-come, first-served basis so if you require anything, please let us know when you register. Our event hosts, Kent Surf School, may be able to hire kit, so please do let us know ASAP.
Juniors can register free of charge for the activities by emailing us at info@gbsup.co.uk with the subject line: WSA Juniors Viking Bay.
Prize Giving
Our event prize giving will have three sections to it:
Race Prize Giving
WSA Juniors
National Tech Series Awards
We will aim to be prompt with our ceremonies, but in case of any delays to racing or clarification with results, please anticipate some small delays. The Race Director will inform everyone of the timings on the day if anything changes.
National Tech Series Awards
Our National Tech Series Awards will present overall trophies across our fleet and age categories. Please do attend to show your support for our series winners. A friend may collect outstanding trophies for those unable to attend after the ceremony, or we will post out trophies in the following week.
If you cannot make the event but believe you have won a series trophy and would like a friend to collect it, please let us know by Wednesday, September 28th. Please email us at info@gbsup.co.uk with the subject line: Tech Series Trophy Collection.
Car Parking
Once again, we have local businesses supporting our event by kindly organising the use of the Harbour Side car park for us right next to the event. We have 40 spaces reserved from Friday evening until midnight on Saturday, with parking free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. For those wishing to stay overnight Friday, you may also camp in the car park (short vehicles only). You will be given an event parking ticket upon arrival (exact timings & plans and additional parking details to follow in your Paddler Information Pack).
Other Information
Over the weekend, the fantastic Autumn Food Festival will be right above the beach. The festival brings the best local Kent produce and is well worth sampling. Kent Surf School will be open all weekend, offering introduction lessons and hire kit, so get in touch with them directly to organise anything you need. We will also have an area for trade stalls, so please contact us if you wish to exhibit.
We look forward to seeing you at the Viking Bay Classic.
