Burton Ski Challenge

Starting 15th of August and finishing September the 26th 2004 ( 6 Rounds ). Sunday Mornings 9:30am start (9:00am Registration) at Warilla Beach - the Surf Club. The race is approximately 7.5kms to 9kms, depending on the surf conditions. If the surf is too big it will be in the lake. Some races will involve going in and out of the break 3 or 4 times, with the format varying.

Entry Conditions: Must be registered and proficient member of SLSA for insurance purposes. The fee is $3.00 / senior and $1.00 / student. There will be a presentation after the last round. If numbers are sufficient there will be OPEN MALE and FEMALE, U/19 (MALE/FEMALE, VETS (O/40s).

Canteen available: BBQ - Hot Drinks - Coke and Cakes

The Burton Ski Challenge is a six round event that is just prior to the start of the official summer season. It has become popular for those wanting to go that bit further with their training over the winter break

Results from last years Burton Ski Challenge saw David Smith & Ian Timbrell tying for 1st place. Elyse Yardley took out the female section with Aaron Helmer taking out the most improved paddler.

Week 5

A strong s/wester blew across the course for the fifth round of the Burton Ski Challenge making the shore break stand up considerably. This presented a tricky obstacle for competitors as they had to negotiate the break on no less than 8 occasions due to a number of ins and outs being set.

From the start it was Timbrell, Smith and Buttle establishing a handy lead closely pursued by Cameron Warren and Jeff Banks until the first return to shore where Paul Buttle took advantage of Smith and Trimbrell's misfortune on the outbound leg establishing a commanding lead of some 200m. Over the rest of the field until the  second half of the race where Smith and Trimbrell regained the lost ground on Buttell. And it became a sprint to the finish with all three paddlers coming down the same wave and Buttle and Smith slowing with Timbrell holding the wave to the end, thus giving Ian a well deserved victory.

Week 4

Due to the extreme length of race the previous week, it was decided to have 3 short sprints this week, much to the pleasure of the majority of starters. With another picture perfect morning a coarse of approx 1.2km was set. This made for some exciting races with a tricky shore break to get through. The combined times for the three races gives their final placing.

Week 3

On such a beautiful day it seemed a shame to waste it, with only a very slight s/wester and millpond conditions it was decided that we would have a bit of a paddle, 15km to be exact.

A good effort by all to complete the coarse and with only 2 DNF.

Week 2:

Picture perfect conditions presented the starters for the second round of the Burton Ski Challenge, a chance to put in a solid race performance without the windy / cold conditions of previous races.

From the outset Ian Trimbrell, Ben Allen, David Smith and Paul Buttel set a cracking pace, leaving Shane Dowel, Mitch Bradford, Noel Yates and Gary Trotter in the following chase pack. Three laps of Warilla beach (9.6km) with a final sprint out to sea and back (1.4km) to finish off, and with a slight N/Wester across the coarse meant it wasn't going to be easy. After the first lap, the field had spread out considerably with Smith and Trimbrell having made the break, were settling in to a nice steady pace. Further back, Shane Dowel (out of retirement after a considerable absence) was regaining some of his old form and showing the others that he was not to be taken lightly this coming summer. Elyse Yardley was also doing a good job by keeping pace with some of the stronger male competitors. At the finish, it was David Smith narrowly edging out Ian Trimbrell after a final sprint to the finish with Paul Butell finishing a strong 3rd.

Special congratulations to Alex Fleming for competing her 2nd Burton Challenge, in such a fine style.

Week 1:

Welcome back to another Burton Ski Challenge Series for 2005.

Well we awoke to a day that was only suitable for penguins and fools and we are not penguins but as they say the show must go on.

With a strong SW blowing and rising seas warning from the Coast Guard it was decided to race in the lake. Twenty starters braved the atrocious conditions and at the starters gun it was all go. The coarse was set, out of the lagoon up under the bridge up to the big lake and out around the two red cans and back again (approx 9 Kms). From the start the usual suspects took the lead with Ian Timbrell and David Smith setting the pace, followed closely by Downie Langthorne. The following group included Noel Yates, Skin Trotter, Cameron Warren and Shane Dowel. With the majority of racers having little knowledge of the coarse it soon became apparent that some portages were required at certain times of the race due to shifting sand bars.

As the paddlers hit the big lake so did the wind chop of up to a foot high which made the going tough. Towards the finish it was David and Ian who had a formidable lead with David taking line honors after Ian was caught on a sandbar, with Downie Langthorne third. Best of the females was Elyse Yardley followed by Meggie Helson. Congratulations to Alex Flemming and Todd Hoobin on completing what turned out to be a tough race.

Thank you to our Sponsors:

• Burton Skis

• Shellcove Excavations (Craig Bossyi - Drill etc)

• Ian Trimbell (T- Shirts)

• Cozzies on the Corner, Shellharbour (lunch Vouchers)

• Kinetic Covers (paddle cover)

• Five Islands Marine

• Tony Shanes Auto Repairs (Sunset Ave Warilla)

Rounds 1 to 6 2003.

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