Peninsula Downwind Classic

COMPETITOR BRIEFING (6 March 2026)

Last years’ Peninsula Downwind Classic was amazing. Check the video below for the start. For the photo gallery check here. Who will beat the River Rats for bragging rights?

The Peninsula Downwind Classic is a downwind paddle event catering to intermediate to experienced paddlers. The aim is to hold the event in optimal downwind conditions (up to 25 knots average wind) while adhering to safety requirements. 

Register by clicking here. Entries close 5pm on Friday before the event.

Following is the full briefing regarding all aspects of the event including evaluating your capability to complete the course safely and cancellation contingencies.  Please read this email in full to ensure you are adequately briefed for the race on the weekend.  This will be assumed knowledge for all padders and will only be overviewed in the briefing before the event

The aim of this event is to have fun racing in optimal wind conditions of up to 25 knots (average wind speed), however such conditions have risks that must be accounted for.  The detail below is essential to read and abide by for a safe and successful race this weekend and into the future.  Full race details can also be found here (https://www.mppaddlers.org/peninsula-downwind-classic-2)

All paddlers must be over the age of 16 and have made a declaration (guardians sign for those under the age of 18) attesting to their swimming and paddling ability.  It is a condition of entry that entrants be able to swim 400 metres without rest and can remount their craft after capsize in downwind conditions.  Paddlers must also have previously paddled the race distance in the ocean or bay in downwind conditions of at least 20 knots average wind with higher gusts. 

We will be racing on Saturday 7 March

  • Short course (~10km) start – Patterson River Accessible Kayak Launch (access from Launching Way, Patterson Lakes)

  • Long course (~16km) start – Southern side of Frankston Pier, Frankston Waterfront Reserve

  • The long course will paddle around the yellow marker 400m out from the pier to assist paddlers in finding deep water and enabling some spread in the field before the downwind paddling commences

  • Starts will be in the water at knee height depth

  • Finishes will be dry (carrying your paddle) between the MP Paddlers/Paddle Vic flags 10m up the beach from the waters’ edge.  Competitors and spectators are asked to provide handling support for skis

  • To assist the timing officials in a close finish ensure you line up between the witch’s hats when requested until your time is recorded based on your wrist band race number

  • Links to course maps and locations are below

The course is optimised for the predicted S wind noting that

  • There are few landmarks for Mordialloc apart from the pier.  Paddlers must review the course and wind and make a navigation plan that works for them

  • A Garmin GPX map for your watch is available below. Navigating by a “course” is an easy method.. Garmin watches also have an option to navigate by coordinates (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12Cunll0HoM) which can be considered. The ETREX 10 is a cheap and effective navigation device using a course or coordinates. Generally paddling wider to allow for chop bending into the bay is recommended

  • Finish coordinates at Mordialloc are -38.01111, 145.085933

The timing of the event will be

  • 1:15pm – 2:05pm registrations – you must check in at registrations (on the beach at the start of the long and short course).  You will also be asked to start your Webscorer GPS timer with assistance provided as needed BEFORE you are checked in and wear the provided wrist band (with race number) to allow you to race. Short course registrations is done virtually by the official on the beach

  • 1:45pm – 2:00pm briefing at Frankston (long course) and via the starter’s telephone at Patterson River pontoon (short course).  It will be assumed that paddlers have read and understood this email in full. Short course briefing is done virtually by the official on the beach

  • 2:00pm – 2:15pm Mandatory safety check of paddlers and safety requirements (see below) at the start line

  • 3:00pm Long course start

  • 3:30pm Short course start

  • Estimated fasted paddlers finish 4:00pm

  • Estimated slowest paddlers finish 4.30pm

  • Presentation ceremony with prizes and individual/club winners announced 5:00pm at Mordialloc Yacht Club (at the finish line).  Showers availble and bar will be open

All competitors must

  • Wear a leg leash attached to their craft (apart from outrigger canoes and sea kayaks)

  • Wear a high-viz lifejacket of an approved type (Level 50 or 50S).  SUP and prone paddleboard paddlers only are permitted to wear an approved Lifejacket Level 100/150 bum bag inflatable lifejacket.  A Hi-Vis top must be worn

  • Carry a fully charged mobile phone in a water proof case that has the free Webscore app installed via the App (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) store and have created an account.  See https://www.webscorer.com/blog/post/2023/08/18/gps-tracking-of-racersfor more details

  • On the day participants must before registration

    • Ensure there is adequate mobile phone coverage

    • Make sure phone location services are turned on for Webscorer and set to "High accuracy" or “Precise location” mode

    • Ensure they are signed into the Webscorer app.  IMPT – the email used for this email is the one you MUST use in setting up your Webscorer account for GPS tracking to work

    • Start the Webscorer app and select “GPS self-tracking”

    • Tap "My upcoming GPS races" and then tap the race name

    • Tap “Start GPS tracking”

    • “Share GPS tracking” with emergency contact person.  Paddlers should provide their emergency contact the following link for GPS tracking during the race - https://www.webscorer.com/racemap/viewracersel?raceid=417292

    • If there are any problems with the above steps contact a registration official

    • Participants can then turn the phone screen off and put the phone in their pocket

    • The app keeps sending the location at the interval specified in reg setup (e.g. once per minute)

    • A video of setting up GPS tracking is available here, noting that you can only test tracking on the day of the event

  • Carry orange day flare on the paddler (not on the boat)

  • Wear appropriate warm clothing and sun protection such as a hat and sunscreen

  • Follow the event course at all times

  • Follow the direction of water safety officials at all times when on the water including withdrawing from the race on request

  • Give way to larger vessels when on the water at all times

  • Stop and help any other competitor/s in difficulty whilst on the course

  • Stick paddle or arm straight up in the air if you require assistance

  • Notify race management by text message if unable to finish (0403 272 255 or 0411 059 470)

  • Recommended that a minimum of 1L of water is carried during the race

The short course paddlers will have an IRB with them the whole time.  Nevertheless paddlers need to have experience paddling in the forecast conditions as per the entry eligibility criteria.  For the full water safety plan click here - https://www.mppaddlers.org/peninsula-downwind-classic-2

Top 3 padders will be acknowledged in the presentation with the top 2 paddlers receiving prizes (pick your own) in the following categories

  • Open male SUP – top 3

  • Open female SUP – top 3

  • Open male – top 3

  • Open female – top 3

  • Junior male – top 3

  • Junior female – top 3

  • Open male 10km – top 3

  • Open female 10km – top 3

  • Junior 10km – top 3

The Paddle Vic winning club will be determined on the basis of the following for male/female in short/long course

  • 5 points for 1st paddler, 4 for 2nd paddler until 1 point for 5th paddler in male/female in short and long course

  • 1 point for all other paddlers

Conditions are looking perfect for intermediate and above paddlers as well as experienced paddlers wanting a red hot race!  Please support this event by encouraging your DW colleagues to enter before the deadline of 5pm Friday 6 March 2026.  There will be no late entries under any circumstance. The Peninsula Downwind Classic will have an long and short course and three course location options

A shuttle car or bus with trailer will be available to ferry paddlers to the start line on the day of the race.  Book through info@mppaddlers.org.  There will be limited places.

RACE MAPS AND LOCATIONS

Race maps are available here

Garmin (GPX) file for navigating by a “course” rather than coordinates is

  • Here for long course

  • Here for short course

START LIST AND RACE NUMBER

Click here for the start list and race (BIB) number. To support our officials please write your race number on your right hand as well as wearing your wrist band provided at registration

WATER SAFETY

There will be 3 IRBs in the water

  • An IRB will lead and patrol the starters in short and long courses for the initial period of the race then be redeployed as required

  • One IRB will follow up the rear paddlers of the long course'

  • One IRB will "float" to different areas of the course as required

  • All IRBs will be managed by the water safety officer by radio with mobile phone as back up

  • All IRBs will be logged on the Webscorer location tracking and What’s App system (as back up)

All IRB drivers will hold a Victorian Marine Licence and be certified as an IRB Driver through Life Saving Victoria.  All IRB crew will hold a IRB Crewpersons certificate through Life Saving Victoria.  All safety equipment required by Life Saving Victoria will be carried in each IRB and all occupants will wear an approved Level 50 lifejacket and be ready to enter the water.

The event organiser, MP Paddlers, has public liability insurance through Paddle Aus. This does not include or cover personal accident insurance for the competitors. All other insurances are the sole responsibility of the competitors.

If a situation arises that cannot be resolved by on-water safety and race management, then Victoria Water Police should be alerted. They are located in Williamstown and are the designated marine incident response coordinator. Any incident that has potential to impact shipping or enter Port Waters should be reported to Ports Victoria Vessel Traffic Services.

  • Victoria Water Police (Phone - 9399 7500)

  • Ports Victoria – Vessel Traffic Services (Phone - 9644 9790/9644 9777)

  • Life Saving Victoria – LSC Comms (Phone 13 SURF or 137873)

  • Triple Zero

  • Race Director - 0422 244 183

  • Water Safety officer - 0413 101 860

First Aid facilities will be available on the beach for treating minor cuts/abrasions, stings and mild hypothermia.  Any serious injuries or hypothermia will require Ambulance Victoria to attend.

RACE COMMITTEE, SPONSORS AND VOLUNTEERS

MP Paddlers thank the race committee and all volunteers for the organisation of the Peninsula Downwind Classic

  • Jon Ford – Race Director

  • Gareth Johnson – Safety Representative

  • Ant Deague

  • Andrew Wilkinson

  • Peter Flockhart

This race could not run without the generous support of our volunteers - THANK YOU!

We also thank our sponsors

This event has been approved by Parks Victoria and the relevant local councils. A copy of the permit is available here