Ocean series to create new waves
THE Australian Ocean Racing Series is set to launch on August 25 in a competition tipped to revolutionise surf sports.
The national series, to start in Coffs Harbour and feature the Gold Coast Classic (October 20), will attract competitors across a number of ocean racing disciplines including ocean skis, surf skis, stand-up paddleboards, prone paddleboards and outrigger canoes.
There will be a combined prize pool of more than $175,000 across the series with equal prize components for both men and women.
The series attracts more than 1000 competitors nationally and includes ocean racing enthusiasts and former ironmen Grant Kenny and Guy Leech along with national ironwoman champion and Olympic kayaker Naomi Flood. Current national, Molokai and world surf ski champion Cory Hill will be looking for another big season following his success in 2017.
Earlier this year, he broke the Molokai record which has been held by series organiser and Australia’s most successful ocean paddler, Dean Gardiner, for 24 years.
“I am pretty fired up for the 2018 series. In May this year we went to Hawaii for the Molokai crossing,” Hill said.
“After holding the race record for 24 years I think Dean knew that the technology of the newer surf skis, paddles and nutrition along with the pumping conditions may mean that he would have to let go of that record.”