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'Sussex Classic 2025' - Ocean Surfski Race 

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About The Race Event:

Welcome to the 4th 'Sussex Classic - Ocean Surfski Race'.

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'Sussex Classic 2025'

Ocean Surfski race will be on Saturday 7th June 2025.  

This year the race will be held on behalf of the GB Ocean Ski Race Committee and under Paddle UK. 

This means this year we will be opening the race to as multicraft event, which will mean for the 1st time along with our sister race 'The Exe' OC1, OC2 and SUP's will also be allowed to enter along with Single and Double Surfski's. 

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The race will be administered under PUK and this year there is an option of a 'Day Ticket' (£5 per day/race) should you not wish to buy the annual membership.  

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When the entries for the race are open a link will be place on this website that will take you to the PUK website for this years entry to the race.

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Other changes for this year, in order to make the race more viable we have not hired the full use of green, so you will need to make your own arrangements for parking in the 'pay and display' car park next to the green.  Note this car park has a height restriction so you may need to remove your skis and find an alternative parking place.  We will not been opening this barrier this year.  As its a summer day I would advise on early arrival as this car park can fill up very early on summer Saturday morning !

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If the conditions are expected to be outside of the operating safe limits, the race will be cancelled and there is no Plan B.  Please see more details below.

This is an PUK event weekend with the fantastic support of  Lancing /Adur Council, Brighton Surf Life Saving Club/Lynx Construction Group and Shoreham Surfski.  Without all this support we would not be host the event. 

 

It remains a community non profit event, any monies raised will again be split to support the BSLSC.

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Sussex Classic 2025

Date :  7th June 202 @ Midday

Course :     Triangle courses set on the day.

Distance :  14 - 17km, 3 laps (c.4.5km Laps).

Location  : Lancing Beach Green, West Sussex

 

Race Entries Opens April 2025.

Race Entries will not be limited this year.

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Surfski Event Race Team:

Race Organiser - Clive Gasson  

Water Event Safety Manager - Dave Samuel  

Water Safety Manager - Keith Hopkins

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Team GB Assessment Race:
This is a Team GB assessment race, please make sure you speak to the GB selection coach for any specific requirements.​

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GPS Event Tracking:

GPS event will be used for primarily for your safety but also event tracking and event timing.   

Links to the race should be here live to 'Watch Live' on race day !

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Minimum Entrance Requirements:

Competitors must be a paid up annual Member of PUK or have purchased a Day pass at race the race entry (without it we could not insure the event.)​

​Competent Ocean Surfski / OC / SUP Paddler - You must be responsible for yourself, and be able to self rescue.

You must declare your competence to paddle 20km in all offshore conditions.  Safety cover is not provided to rescue competitors who do not have the competence to handle offshore paddling.  Race team will have the right to withdraw any paddler for any reason.  You must confirm and read all the Terms and Conditions, complete the medical declaration as part of the signed up to the race.  

Any competitors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their parent and have their competence verified by a coach.

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Entry Process :

Please click on the 'Link below to take you to the PUK website, for this years entry.

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Min Safety Equipment 

By signing up for the event all competitors confirm as well as your own competence you will have as a minimum the list of safety equipment below:

1) Your craft is suitable for the conditions and seaworthy. 

2) Leg leash is mandatory. You are responsible for ensuring it is securely attached to your leg and craft. 

3) A proper body PFD that complies to ICF standards.

4) Means of communication either VHF radio or mobile, charged and in working condition. 

Items will be checked at Registration. No equipment no race.

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Prices for 2025

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Single Craft   -   Race Entry £40

Concessions rates for U18's or those in full time education

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Double's   -  Race Entry £50

 

​​Race Conditions:

This is an Ocean Surfski Race, and we are dependent on the British Weather, there is no plan B race.

​We will be reviewing the race conditions in the 3 days prior to the event, and an update will be provided, on Facebook and / or the Website.  If necessary a final call by the event team at anytime up to the start of race if necessary.  

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Conditions that will likely cancel the event will be wind forecasted with greater than c.20knots in any southerly direction. The event safety team will call this and their decision is final.  

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Race Categories / Information :

There will be categories for both Men and Women in the following :

• Under 18 (Must be 17 or under on the 1st Jan 2025)

• Under 23 (Must be 22 or under on the 1st Jan 2025)

• Open 23 - 35

• Masters aged 35 (Must be 35 on the 1st Jan 2025) to 55

• Veterans aged 55 (Must be 55 on the 1st Jan 2025) and above

• Doubles (One Open Category and will include Men / Women and Mixed crews)

• Para

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​Start - SLS Jump Start

Competitors will form a line up in the water next to their craft.  When the starter is happy that everyone is lined up a ready, a flag will be dropped from the IRB lead boat (which will be in the middle of the start line on the water). 

This will signal the start of the race.  The lead competitor will follow the IRB onto the course and round the first lap.

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Finish - Water Finish

Competitors will return to the beach they started.  They will see 2 flags waist deep in the water, this will indicate the FINISH LINE.   Once you have passed the finish line race competitors must take both their Surfski and Paddle up through the funnel !

​At this point you must return to the beach Marshalls both your Bib and GPS tracker.  

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All competitors must not leave the beach with either their Bib or GPS tracker.  (we need to know your safe), this goes for anyone retiring from the race as well.

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Draft Course Map

Lead In and Return to beach, approx 1km

Each Lap c. 4.5km

No of Laps 3 

As the Lead paddler passes the Control Boat to exit the course for the 3rd time, a Single Blast of the horn will be given from all the safety boats.  All competitors will then complete their lap and return to the finish. 

No of laps will be taken into account in the finish times. 

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Trophies for each category will be given as long as there are :

1st  - 3 competitors on the start line for that Category.

For categories with less than 3 in the Class will default competitors into the next category down. I.e. Veterans will go into Masters, Masters into Seniors.