Four Island Ocean Race
The Four Island Ocean Race is an annual 12km paddling event in the open ocean in beautiful Encounter Bay on the Fleurieu Peninsula. The event, now in its fifth year, is held annually during the last week of January and this year was run on Sunday the 30th of January.
The day was hot and still on Sunday with calm waters beconning paddlers to them. In the protection of a headland paddlers absorbed a years supply of Vitamin D in only a few hours as they watched more than a 100 joggers head off for their fun run adventure.
More than 60 paddlers took to the water in three staggered starts overseen by well known starter Martin Finn and a huge flotilla of support boats from the VH & Goolwa Sea Rescue. A quick left hander at the turning buoy saw a miriad of different craft head directly to Seal Rocks through a buoyed gate and on to Horshoe Bay at Port Elliot.
The Four Island is a race now a well established annual event hosted by Paddle Sports SA and Encounter Paddling. It is definitely something new paddlers should give a go.
Many thanks to VH & Goolwa Sea Rescue, Port Elliot Surf Lifesaving, Port Noarlunga Surf Lifesaving, Paddle Sport SA & Encouner Paddling.
For results go to www.encounter.paddle.org.au
