What is ocean paddling?
Ocean paddling is one of the country's fastest growing sports.
With our endless and diverse coastline, gentle climate, and
outdoors lifestyle, it makes sense that more and more people are
discovering the health and fitness benefits - and sheer
exhilaration - of this highly accessible activity.
Ocean paddling involves all types of paddle craft designed to
perform in ocean and coastal conditions, where wind and swell
combine to provide the ride of your life.
These include ocean-racing skis, surf-lifesaving spec skis,
outriggers, stand-up paddleboards and paddleboards - if you can
paddle it, you're part of the movement!
Races range from short sprint-type events of less then 10
kilometres, to marathon epics of 20 kilometres-plus.
The pinnacle of ocean paddling is downwind racing, where
competitors paddle in the same direction as the wind to catch
'runners' (non-breaking waves that occur offshore) and gain maximum
speed. Skilled downwind paddling not only requires strength and
aerobic fitness, but also great skill in reading the ocean. Top
downwind paddlers can reach speeds up to 30-plus kilometres an
hour!
But there's a more mellow side to ocean paddling, too. Shorter
races held within the protection of bays and estuaries give
newcomers to the sport a chance to compete, and are exploding in
popularity.
What is Outlaw Paddling?
Outlaw Paddling began in 2004, when three passionate Melbourne
paddlers realised there was no ocean racing forum in Victoria in
which to test their skills. Fast forward four years, and what began
as a modest undertaking among mates has soared in popularity, with
competitor numbers doubling in that time and paddlers coming from
as far as South Africa and Queensland to take part.
In 2011/12, the Outlaw Paddling program is comprised of two
series:
Click on the links above to find out more.