FBOR’22 Sunday Open Race

Supported by STELLAR Surfskis

SUNDAY 17th July – the 13km downwind race along Pembrokeshire’s spectacular northern coastline!

Course Description

 

Fishguard Bay Ocean Race 2022 (FBOR’22) is a major downwind Ocean Ski race along Pembrokeshire’s wild, award winning north coast – starting at Goodwick beach and crossing 17km of open sea to finish on the wide sandy beach at Newport.

FBOR’21 is the 7th year of this annual tussle and will be held across two days:

On Saturday 16 July – the Welsh Ocean Ski National Championships, and is specifically ELITE race, including  GB Ocean Ski Team.

On Sunday 17th July the course is open to Advanced and Intermediate competitors with their own set of medals, trophies and other prizes, just as in previous years.

In both races, paddlers from all over the UK and beyond compete to test their fitness, boat-handling and seamanship skills, to win this “black-belt,” no-holds-barred ocean race.

You’ll paddle deep clear water, around a wave-tossed rock, past towering cliffs, a long (hopefully downwind) leg to Newport Surf Lifesaving Club, and we’re keeping fingers crossed for stellar downwind conditions!

The Blue Riband prize is the perennial OPEN Race FBOR Trophy, awarded to the line-honours winner – the first craft of any category to cross the finish line, with hand-made take-home trophies for each class.

Entry Criteria

 

As a race committee we have to be sure that every competitor who enters either of these races is capable, in all respects, to successfully complete the course. That specifically means you must have a well practiced, 100% “bullet-proof” remount that, if necessary, you can successfully repeat a dozen times without assistance.

So, to enter the race online you will be required to agree to a waiver release (see below) and, at registration, we will require proof of your successfully completing a minimum of one 15km ocean downwind race within the last 12 months.

Any paddler NOT having an established record of safe finishes in equivalent races must prove their fitness and competence to the race officer before or at registration, preferably by being vouched for by organisers of other races, or you will be excluded from The Race.

At the very least, the Acceptance of Risk Statement (see below), which you will be asked to sign in person as hard copy at registration, will be your statement of assurance to the Race Officer that you are fit and capable of safely finishing The Race.

When we receive your entry you’ll get more detailed race information and, closer to the race date, a detailed course description and virtual race briefing.

 

When taking part in this race you agree to abide by the GB Oceanski / Canoe Wales rules. Click to view and download.

Safety

 

All competitors will be issued with a GPS tacker so their position is known throughout the race – to be collected at registration. In addition, PFD’s, Orange Smoke Flares, leg or paddle leashes,VHF (or phone in waterproof pouch) attached to PFD are all mandatory.

Insurance

To compete, all individual paddlers must be insured through one of the the Home Countries Canoeing NGBs: Canoe Wales/Canoe England/Scottish Canoe Association, Canoe Association of Northern Ireland. If you’re already a full member of one of these, then you’re already covered.

If you’re NOT a member you will need to take out day membership at race registration at £5/day, paid in addition to your online entry fee.

 

CLICK HERE To buy Canoe Wales Day Membership

 

Sorry, but SLSGB membership does not cover you for this race.

Your safety, the safety of your craft, its entire equipment, including insurance, shall be the sole responsibility of the owner/paddler racing the ski/board. Where a ski/board has been borrowed/rented/hired, etc. it is the paddler’s responsibility that the vessel meets the required standard and insurance requirements.

Please note that, in the event of an emergency, the rescue crews have been briefed to prioritise the survival and safety of the casualty above recovery of boat or equipment.

Acceptance of Risk Statement

 

“I have read the above description of the Fishguard Bay Ocean Race (The Race) and confirm that:

  1)  I have solid and provable experience in the expected conditions (up to Beaufort force 6) and duration (17km and 1.5 hours) of The Race.

  2)  I can consistently self-rescue/remount my craft in these conditions – multiple times if need be.

  3)  I take full responsibility for the accuracy of my declared experience and competence as provided to the race officer.

  4)  I am fit and capable of successfully and safely finishing The Race without assistance.

  5) I confirm that I will wear the mandatory GPS tracker securely and take responsibility for returning it in good condition to the race crew after I finish.

6)  I confirm that my equipment is in full working order and includes each of the items listed below:

  • Bouyancy Aid / PFD
  • Calf Leash
  • Whistle
  • VHF or Mobile Phone (in waterproof pouch with lanyard to PFD)
  • Orange Smoke Flare”

FBOR'22 OPEN - Acceptance of Risk

FBOR'22 Canoe Ocean Racing Rules

Buy your Canoe Wales Day Membership here

Sunday Open Race Schedule

 

Registration

SATURDAY 16th July from 17:00 to 19:00 at Ocean Lab Car Park SA64 0DE

 

Briefing and Boat Check

SATURDAY 09:00 on Goodwick Beach

 

Start

All Classes 09:30  High Water Newport 11:00

 

Arranging Lifts and Boat Shuttle

Leave you boats on the grass by Ocean Lab carpark at Goodwick (SA640DE). I’ll be on site from 08:00 to watch them. There is Pay & Display parking by the finish at Newport Sands car park (SA420NR) at £5 for the day – coins only. Please pay your £5 when you get there – it’s much cheaper than a fine! FBOR’22 is in summer holiday season, so grab your parking spot EARLY . . .

We have a BUS laid on back to Goodwick The Bus is LEAVING the car park at 08:20. There are LIMITED PLACES so please book your seat with Benjamin, soon.

From the boat drop-off on the grass by Ocean Lab carpark at Goodwick (SA640DE) to Newport Sands is 11 miles / 25 mins each way on busy country roads – please allow at least an HOUR for the round trip. You need to be back for Registration or you will not race.

Prize Giving

Will be 1 hour after the last paddler finishes –  the FBOR Open Race trophy, Class Trophies, Medals and Practical Prizes

More Info To Follow

When we receive your entry we’ll email you much more information about the course and the way the day will run.

If you need to ask question first please email or phone us from our CONTACT PAGE.

Looking forward to seeing you in July!

 

 

FBOR’22 Open Race Entries

Open Single Ski entry

Open Single Ski Entry

ENTRIES NOW CLOSED

Masters Ski entry

Masters Single Ski Entry

ENTRIES NOW CLOSED

Open SUP entry

Open SUP Entry

ENTRIES NOW CLOSED

Ladies Single Ski Sunday

Ladies Single Ski Entry

ENTRIES NOW CLOSED

Veterans Ski entry

Veterans Single Ski Entry

ENTRIES NOW CLOSED

Prone Board open

Open Prone Board Entry

ENTRIES NOW CLOSED