Race 1 – River Rush

River Rush has been a consistent series favourite over the past few years so are you ready to come and experience it again or perhaps take the plunge (not literally) for the first time.

Don't forget, the long course has points available for the newly instigated Queensland Offshore Paddle Series as well as our local north Queensland series.

The long course starts in the Ross River on an outgoing tide; feel the Rush as the tidal flow propels you towards the River mouth and the subsequent adrenaline and wind assisted ride to Pallarenda beach.

Long Course:

(If you can not view image above clearly, click here to view the courses in Google maps)

Long Course starts 7:40am from the new boat ramps off 5^th Ave, South Townsville

Finishes at Pallarenda (Freemasons Park - Near the toilet blocks)

Course Description:

River Rush takes competitors on an approximately 14-16 km scenic journey from the South Townsville boat ramp and out the Ross river mouth. With the high tide rushing out the river there is a Rush of water that propels the paddlers along making your top speeds on the river higher than on flat water. At the mouth of the river there is often a gnarly section of outgoing tide meeting oncoming swell, which gives a real RUSH for the experienced paddler. From the River mouth the Turn Buoy will be placed to maximise the best possible downwind run to the finish line. This downwind run should see the watercraft moving faster as they ride the ocean swell and wind chop for the best adrenaline rush!

Short & Junior Courses:

(If you can not view image above clearly, click here to view the courses in Google maps)

Course Descriptions:

The Short course starts at 8:15 am is designed to give less experienced paddlers a chance to get into the water without having to tackle the longer course and the potentially awkward conditions at the river mouth. Yes you will have to slog into the wind over part of the course but, like the long course, you should be rewarded with sweet downwind runs as well. The Short course starts and finishes at Freemasons Park, Pallarenda - competitors will paddle approximately 2 km out to a buoy then turn and ride the waves and wind back to the finish line then head back to sea for a second lap of the course. This will give you approximately 8 km of paddling (around 4 km into the wind and 4 km of downwind). SUPs  complete a single lap of the same course for to give you 4 km.

The Junior course starts at 8:30 am and sees paddlers head approximately 1 km out to their turn buoy before returning to the finish. Juniors complete one lap (2km) of their course.