FBOR’23 Welsh Ocean Ski Championships
Supported by STELLAR Surfskis
SATURDAY 8th July – Key selection race for the GB Ocean Ski team.
ENTRIES NOW CLOSED
Course Description
Fishguard Bay Ocean Race 2023 (FBOR’23) 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’23 is the 8th year of this annual tussle and will be held across two days:
On Saturday 8 July – the Welsh Ocean Ski National Championships, a specifically ELITE race, including GB Ocean Ski Team.
On Sunday 9th 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 extreme fitness, boat-handling and seamanship skills, to win this “black-belt,” no-holds-barred ocean race.
You’ll paddle deep clear water, past towering cliffs, a couple of fun tide-races, a skid turn around a wave-tossed rock and a final sprint up the beach at Newport Surf Lifesaving Club. And this year we’re keeping fingers crossed for stellar downwind conditions!
The Blue Riband prize is the perennial FBOR Trophy, awarded to the line-honours winner – the first craft of any category to cross the finish line, with Welsh Championship trophies for both Men and Ladies. All age categories are for male and female paddlers – prizes will be awarded to both Men and Women according to number of entries in each respective 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 15+km 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/canoe. Where a ski/board/canoe 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 continuous 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'23 ELITE Acceptance of Risk
FBOR'23 Racing Rules
Buy your Canoe Wales Day Membership here
Welsh Championships Schedule
Registration
SATURDAY 8th July from 08:00 to 10:15 at Ocean Lab Car Park SA64 0DE
Final Briefing and Boat Check
10:30 on Goodwick Beach
Start
All Classes 11:00
High Water Newport 12:20
Arranging Lifts and Boat Shuttle
Leave your 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’23 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 10:00. 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 Dolphin Wave, Welsh Championship Trophies, Take Home Dragon trophies for class winners, 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’23 Elite Entries
Elite Senior Ski entry
ENTRIES NOW CLOSED
Elite Para Ski entry
ENTRIES NOW CLOSED
Elite Under 23 ski entry M & F
ENTRIES NOW CLOSED
Elite Under 18 ski entry M & F
ENTRIES NOW CLOSED
