Clash of the Paddles commences June 20th at Hamilton Island

by Michelle Crowshaw on 13 Jun 2013 Paddlers from around the globe are getting ready to battle at the annual Gatorade Clash of the Paddles on Hamilton Island from the 20-24th June. Formerly known as the Hamilton Cup, 2013 marks the historic 30th anniversary of the annual paddling event, which has grown over the years into one of the most respected and demanding competitions on the Australian Outrigger Calendar. Five disciplines will be contested by professional and amateur paddlers throughout the four-day event, including outrigging, stand-up paddle boarding, board paddling, surf skiing and for the first time, Dragon Boating. Big name individuals and teams attending the event include Ky Hurst, Phil Clayton, Jeremy Cotter, Jonathon Crowe, Outrigger Australia, Mooloolaba OCC, Northern Beaches OCC and Cronulla OCC. International crews from Hawaii, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea and Singapore are also expected. A number of exciting new additions to the event schedule have been planned to celebrate 30 years. Perfect for families, nippers activities will be held on Catseye Beach on Saturday afternoon from 12 noon until 3:30pm hosted by surf legends Ky Hurst and Phil Clayton. Open to all participants, the Nippers clinics are designed to encourage grassroots growth of the sports. Also new in 2013, Australia’s first and only SUPYoga (Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga) accredited teacher, Charlotte Piho, will be at Gatorade Clash of the Paddles providing competitors and guests with the opportunity to experience this increasingly popular, new-style yoga work out. Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) says with an impressive history of on-water sporting achievements under his belt, Jeremy Cotter from North Burleigh SLSC will be looking to take out the double this year after a 2012 win in the Open Men’s Downward Ski Race (Ocean Ski) Long Course and second place in the Short Course. Joining Cotter in both events will be TV personality and Dee Why SLSC lifesaver, Hayden Quinn.

World Champion lifesaver Luke Cuff of Kurrawa SLSC should dominate in the Open Men’s 8km Board race. With a number of Surf Life Saving sporting titles already under his belt, and Ironman legend Phil Clayton and top trainer Daniel Carruthers as his coaches, Cuff is set for success. Following a record turnout at the National Marathon Championships on the Sunshine Coast last month, the Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing Association (AOCRA) are expecting a significant increase on last year’s entries, and tight competition across all races. Matching the State of Origin Game One result, NSW has laid down the gauntlet to QLD by beating their northern counterparts in the Open Men’s long course, Open Women’s long course, Master Men’s long course and the Open Mixed long course at the recent OC6 National Marathon Titles with some finishes coming as close as 26 seconds over 22kms, so Queenslanders will be seeking revenge. Last year saw an SLSA crew enter the 42km OC6 changeover race to take on AOCRA paddlers at their own event. The crew finished fourth overall and have reentered this year looking for a podium finish. Another SLSA crew has now joined the fray and the competition is hot. Hamilton Island’s Gatorade Clash of the Paddles will be taking place from 20-24 June. For more information on the event, click here.