THE IMPOSSIBLE
Saturday 4th December 2021
entries opening soon |
Click for Images from Saturday by Syd Spencer
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NOTE:
With the changing nature of Covid 19 state government restrictions, changes to operational procedures may be made at short notice. 
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Welcome to the 7th annual "Impossible". The last five years have seen great downwind conditions and hopefully the tradition will continue.
This year sees a new weekend for the race. Mid November has been selected to accommodate other great paddle events happening in Australia. Otherwise the course should remains the same. Please make sure you check the rules file when you enter. | ||
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Paddlers participating in this race have been granted approval by MARITIME SAFETY VICTORIA to exceed 5 knots when within 50 metres of other craft, between Torquay and Barwon Heads Bluff. Please click the button on the right.
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SHUTTLE BUS
Wave Rider shuttle bus with trailer has been organised to ferry paddlers to the start line on the morning of the race. Book through Pete at Wave Rider on 0459 149 447. Limited places. Bus will pick up at Barwon Heads (Torquay if the race is reversed) on the morning of the race and transfer to the start line. Cost $15 per paddler. Craft must be loaded by 8.50am for a 9am departure |
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Flares you can trust
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Anytime Fitness
Join in Torquay and get access to 500 gyms Australia wide. |
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PRIZES
Two 6 month memberships to Anytime Fitness 24 hour gyms, Meal vouchers from Growlers Restaurant Torquay, Vouchers to the Barwon Heads Hotel, Complimentary entry to Gippsland Lakes paddle Challenge, Surfski car roof carrier cradles valued at $90, Vouchers for Limeburners Bar, East Geelong, trophies from Intricut and more. |
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Torquay to Barwon Heads Ocean Paddle Race
1. Participants:
All divisions will be open to any paddler over the age of 17 who make 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. Paddlers must also have previously paddled 18 kilometres in the ocean or bay.
2. Craft
The following types of craft are acceptable:
a. Single ski – spec or ocean ski
b. Double Ski -
c. Outrigger canoe 1,2,3,4,6
d. Sea kayak with watertight bulkheads
e. Prone paddleboards.
f. SUPs
All these craft are regarded as ‘marine safe’. They have sufficient free board, positive flotation and where necessary can seal their cockpits. Sea kayaks must have at least 5.5m waterline (LWL) and have sealed compartments in order to participate.
3. Course –
The race is scheduled to commence in front of the Torquay Yacht club, Fishermans Beach, Torquay. This is an area protected from waves and all winds except easterlies. There are no rocks or reefs close to shore.
Start time is 10.00 am for SUPs and 10.30am for skis, which will be 90 mins after a neap low tide. This will give plenty of depth over the bombora reefs offshore.
Paddlers will progress along the coastline to Pt Impossible, passing to the left of a buoy located 500m offshore and well clear of the reef. They will then head to Barwon Heads Bluff and will round a buoy that will be placed off shore at sufficient distance to avoid breaking waves. Paddlers will then aim for the red channel marker at the river entrance. They must keep this along with the second red marker on their left to avoid sand banks and then through to the finish line.
In the event of adverse winds, the course may be reversed or the venue changed as per the hazard management strategy.
4. Water Safety and First Aid
2x Jetskis, 1 x IRB crewed by SLSC members.
1 x 7.0m rescue boat (command vessel) which will tail the field. The jetski will patrol the seaward flank.
Rescue craft will be in place and ready at 1000 hrs. Crews will attend a briefing at this time.
5. Communications
Rescue craft will be in communication with each other and base via UHF radios and will tune into a channel agreed to prior to the event.
1. Participants:
All divisions will be open to any paddler over the age of 17 who make 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. Paddlers must also have previously paddled 18 kilometres in the ocean or bay.
2. Craft
The following types of craft are acceptable:
a. Single ski – spec or ocean ski
b. Double Ski -
c. Outrigger canoe 1,2,3,4,6
d. Sea kayak with watertight bulkheads
e. Prone paddleboards.
f. SUPs
All these craft are regarded as ‘marine safe’. They have sufficient free board, positive flotation and where necessary can seal their cockpits. Sea kayaks must have at least 5.5m waterline (LWL) and have sealed compartments in order to participate.
3. Course –
The race is scheduled to commence in front of the Torquay Yacht club, Fishermans Beach, Torquay. This is an area protected from waves and all winds except easterlies. There are no rocks or reefs close to shore.
Start time is 10.00 am for SUPs and 10.30am for skis, which will be 90 mins after a neap low tide. This will give plenty of depth over the bombora reefs offshore.
Paddlers will progress along the coastline to Pt Impossible, passing to the left of a buoy located 500m offshore and well clear of the reef. They will then head to Barwon Heads Bluff and will round a buoy that will be placed off shore at sufficient distance to avoid breaking waves. Paddlers will then aim for the red channel marker at the river entrance. They must keep this along with the second red marker on their left to avoid sand banks and then through to the finish line.
In the event of adverse winds, the course may be reversed or the venue changed as per the hazard management strategy.
4. Water Safety and First Aid
2x Jetskis, 1 x IRB crewed by SLSC members.
1 x 7.0m rescue boat (command vessel) which will tail the field. The jetski will patrol the seaward flank.
Rescue craft will be in place and ready at 1000 hrs. Crews will attend a briefing at this time.
5. Communications
Rescue craft will be in communication with each other and base via UHF radios and will tune into a channel agreed to prior to the event.
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It is a condition of entry that the above race rules are read.
Please note this part of the safety plan.
The intention is to have downwind conditions for the race. This means a south west wind or similar. If conditions are unfavourable for the Saturday, one of the following changes will take place. 1. If east or north-east winds are predicted, the race will be run in reverse. 2. If strong off-shore winds are predicted (north to north-west), the race will be delayed a day and conducted on the Sunday. This will occur if more favourable conditions are predicted. 3. If both days are predicted to be strong off-shore, the race will be contained in the Barwon River at Barwon Heads. For safety reasons, the race will not proceed in the ocean if the predicted winds are more than 20 knots off-shore. 
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ENTRIES FOR THE RACE ARE TO BE DONE ONLINE. EARLY BIRD ENTRIES ARE AVAILABLE UNTIL MIDNIGHT TUESDAY 10th NOVEMBER . LATE ENTRIES ARE AVAILABLE UNTIL 1PM ON FRIDAY 3rd DECEMBER. SORRY, NO ENTRIES ON THE DAY UNLESS NEGOTIATED BEFOREHAND. CLICK BELOW FOR ENTRY FORM.
ENTRY FEE: Entry prior to midnight Tues 30th November $78, after $90
Under 20 years: $48 (early), $58 (late) VIDEO 2016
Click here to view drone footage of the start from 2016 race. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MNGNAez1yY Our thanks to LaFoto for filming this. COACHING: Need some professional coaching to improve your confidence, or a familiarisation paddle over the course? Tim Altman is Victoria's most experienced coach. Check out him out here.
Keep up to date with The Impossible Facebook page.
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