The ultimate week of downwinding Down Under

The Fig 2 Fig, Sunday 30^th November

This is the Biggest community SUP event in WA. Last year over 70 paddlers attended the “paddle” from Sand Tracks to Swanbourne.

With less than 12hrs to recover and find myself a good pair of waterproof earplugs, we were back out on the water, this time for a more subdued event, the Annual Fig to Fig downwind paddle. This was a nicely laid-back affair with paddlers ranging from the likes of the Doctor winners through to first-time downwind paddlers. While some paddlers chose to compete for the lead, many of the elite paddlers volunteered as marshals to provide support and encouragement to the less experienced paddlers over the 7km downwind run, which for many was their first experience of paddling on the open sea. It is a celebration of SUP and down winding in its purest form. The event is all about sharing the stoke to new paddlers and celebrating the majesty of our oceans and our beautiful SUP community. A great fun event and perfect way to stretch out aching muscles following the Doctor race.

During the week from 1^st to 5^th December, we jumped on the opportunity to join in on a few downwind runs organized by Stand up Paddle Surf Shop, including a ‘Cut’ practice run in preparation for the next big event the King of the Cut. We were in great company, with riders from the Gold Coast and from across the globe, including some of the worlds top paddlers. Zane Schweitzer flew in from Hawaii, Belar Diaz straight from Battle of the Paddle Brazil, Tomo from Japan. Among the ladies, I was very happy to join Terrene Black, Karla Gilbert and Angie Jackson, all three exceptional Australian SUP athletes and experienced ocean paddlers. It was a truly international field. Freemantle’s unbelievably well stocked ‘Stand Up Surf Shop’ provided a free shuttle service for the down wind runs, with their trailer that accommodated perhaps a dozen boards, a real luxury!

On the Friday, we explored Rottnest Island by bike and met the famous Rottnest Island Quokkas: a particularly cute marsupial the size of a hair or a domestic cat! In 1696, the Island was named ‘Rotte nest’ (meaning ‘rat’s nest’) which was eventually adapted to ‘Rottnest’. We both took it easy, as the following day we were racing in the King of the Cut.