For many of us in the northern hemisphere, it's time to put up the kayaks and canoes for winter. But the paddling season on the other side of the world is just getting started!

If you're just not ready to get out of the water, think about heading "down under" this winter. Even if you're not a "racer", you could always just go as a spectator…it's nice and warm in Sydney this time of year…

Here are some serious upcoming ocean racing kayak events happening in and around Sydney, Australia:

November 14: Narrabeen Downwind Challenge

• Distance: 20 kms (about 12.5 miles)

• Course is described as follows: Beach start from Barrenjoey Head Western Beach Reserve. Course will continue around Barrenjoey head and then down coast to Fishermans Beach or vice versa pending wind conditions on the day.

• Craft: Spec SLSA Ski & Ocean Racing Ski

• Prizes: AU$1500 cash, LG portable DVD player. Every entry to an oceanseries event puts you in the draw to win some huge prizes at the end of the series such as an LG plasma television, Bennett Paddles, Epic Vouchers and much more. The more you compete, the more chances you have at winning.

November 28: Warf Bar King of the Harbour

• Distance: 18kms (about 11 miles)

• Craft: Spec SLSA Ski & Ocean Racing Ski

• Course: Manly Wharf (near Ashburner Street), around North Head to Manly Beach, up to Queenscliff and back. 

• A Bit About It: The Manly Wharf Hotel King of the Harbour is an iconic race set in the epicentre of Sydney's ocean paddling community.  Over the years, the stretch of water between Manly Beach and Sydney Harbour has been the training ground of some of the finest ski paddlers in the world; the same paddlers who have battled it out every year to see who will be crowned the King of the Harbour.  The 18km race is a challenge, but the variety of conditions along the course ensure that every paddler has a chance to show their strengths.  Starting in the harbour at the Manly Wharf Hotel, the course heads out around North Head and up towards Manly Beach.  More often than not, the route along the cliffs promise not only an breathtaking view, but also great swell conditions for all paddlers.  As an out-and-back course, this race is always a challenge as you know you'll be paddling into the wind in at least one direction.  That said, you also know that at the end of the race there will plenty of room at the Manly Wharf Hotel to recover (and tell war stories) with a refreshing glass of the sponsor's product.

  It is recommended that only intermediate and experienced paddlers take part in this race, but if you're a beginner, what better way is there to test the skills gained in the firs few races of the Ocean Series, than to front up at Manly and challenge yourself.

December 19: Twenty Beaches Ocean Classic 

• Distance: 25kms (about 15.5 miles)

• Craft: Spec SLSA Ski, Ocean Racing Ski

• The start will be from Palm Beach or Shelly Beach/ Southern Corner of Manly Beach pending conditions on race day. You will need to organise a friend to drop you at the start of race and pick you up from the finish.

• Course: Will run down wind from either Palm Beach (north of the pavillion on surf beach side) to Shelly Beach/ Manly Beach or opposite direction pending wind conditions.Course direction will be decided on the day of the race and will be posted on the website. The race will start from beyond the breaking waves, approx 50-100m off the beach and finish on the beach, or in water pending conditions. Leg ropes/ Paddle leashes are compulsory for this race.

• Steve Wood trophy will be awarded to the first competitor across the line. Prizes will be awarded to each category. Series winners will be announced at the presentation with double points on offer for The Twenty Beaches Ocean Classic.

More info for all of these OceanSeries events can be found at: http://www.oceanseries.com.au

G'Day for now!

Let us know if you go!

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