Coffs Harbour Carnage (OC1 Nationals)

Last weekend saw a cluster of PD's travel up to Coffs Harbour for the OC1 Nationals: Annett, Shell, Mandy, Lydia, Gav & Matt. Whilst the wind was (unfortunately) calm, there was quite a swell built up, which made life pretty tough at Woolgoolga for the start of the 25km long course event.

Sometimes it's just easier to tell the story in photos. Gavin Godfrey captured all the action of the day! Below are a copy of some of the fantastic pics he took.

Receiving instructions at the briefing

Annett, Shell and Mandy wait around for the start, all ready to go

Waiting for a lull in the sets

Oh no! OC2 going down like the Titanic

Mandy and I make a start

All going well...

Whee!

Oh dear, this is not good!

Wipeout!

Smashed! (My poor canoe!)

OC1 carnage

Drifting without a rudder

Annett getting smashed...

...but recovering OK

Unhappy paddler picking up the pieces (thanks Matt for the help!)

Shell and Mandy - disappointed but safe

More calamity

Just making it

Whoa!

Lydia back to shore

All girls safe

It could have been worse

The alternative start entry location (around the headland)

Slicing the crests

If you made it to the start line, it was a pretty uneventful, but tough grind south. Here are some of the top paddlers who made it.

Lauren Bartlett (2nd Open Women)

Anna Matisen on Lydia's Pueo! (3rd Open Women)

Danny Ching (3rd Open Men)

Todd Cohen (1st Open Men)

Luke and Nathan Evans (1st OC2 Open Men)

Kai Bartlett (6th Open Men)

A big THANKS! To Gav and Matt for being so wonderful to us back on the beach. Gav - for taking great shots, providing a hug when needed and helping us get sorted. Matt - for collecting all the canoe bits, and offering to get us hot chocolates. You guys are awesome!

And to Lydia and Mandy - another adventure to add to our collection. Let's hope we have a bit more luck and success this weekend for 20 Beaches.

Annett - congrats on making it through! Great to see one PD on the finish line!