Currumbin Handicap Race – last Sat of each Month

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Currumbin Handicap

The "Currumbin Handicap" is a handicap race run on the last Saturday of every month for members and friends of the Currumbin Creek Canoe Club.  An event that aims to provide vigorous racing for the more competitive of us and also an even playing field for all levels of padders and types of water craft.

The race course is from Winders Park Duringan St Currumbin up to and around Wendts Bridge (where Galleon Way crosses Currumbin Creek) and return to Winders Park over a distance of ~8.4km.  All paddlers will be assigned a handicap based on their last race time.  The best overall handicap time each race gains 10 points, 2nd place gets 9 points etc..  Starts are staged according to your handicap with the aim of all paddlers crossing the finish line as near each other as possible.  At the end of the year prizes will be awarded to those with the most points.  There will also mid-year prizes after the June race.

Where: Winders Park Currumbin

When:  7:30am the last Saturday of each month for a 8am race start.  Check the club calendar to confirm dates.  

How much: $1 Australian Canoeing members, $5 non-members.

Results:  Published monthly to www.currumbincreek.paddle.org.au here.

Currumbin Handicap Race Rules

1   The aim of the handicap is to have all paddlers cross the finish line at 9.00 a.m.
2.    The first time you race in the Handicap series you must nominate the time you expect to take to complete the 9 km course from Winders Park to Wendt’s Bridge and return. The nominated time is then deducted from 9.00 a.m. to give the handicap.  For example, a paddler who expects to take 45 minutes will start at 8.15 (handicap of 15 minutes), while a paddler who expects to take 52 minutes will start at 8.08 (handicap of 8 minutes).
3.    The second time you race, your handicap will be based on your previous time.  So, if you thought you would take 45 mins in your first race but actually took 46 mins, your start time the next time you participate will be 8.14.  Similarly, if you actually took 44 mins your next start will be 8.16.
4.    Start times will be in half minutes.  Up to 30 seconds rounds down to whole minute, 30 seconds and over rounds down to the half minute.  For example, last race time was 51:26, so next start time will be 8.09 (handicap of 9 minutes).  Last race time was 51:47, next start time will be 8.08:30 (handicap of 8½ minutes).  See Do-It-Yourself Handicap Guide below.
5.    Your handicap the third time you race will be based on the time in your second race, fourth time on third race, etc.
6.    Most paddlers can complete the 9 kms course in less than an hour but, if on race day, there is a paddler (or paddlers) who thinks he/she will take more than an hour, he/she will start before 8.00 a.m. For example, a paddler who expects to take 1 hr 5 mins will start at 7.55.  However, the timer clock for the race will start at 8.00 a.m. for the benefit of the majority of the field.  Time paddled before the clock starts at 8.00 will be added to the paddler’s time at completion of the race.
7.    All start times will be based on the Race Timers’ clock.  While paddlers may like to synchronise their watches with the Race Timer’s, they may only start according the Race Timer’s call.
8.    You must start and finish between the shore and the start/finish marker buoy.
9.    Boat numbers will be issued at registration before each race.  Registrations will be taken from 7.30 a.m. at Winders Park on the south side of Currumbin Creek.
10.    Donation of $1 is required to participate in the race, or $5 for paddlers who are not members of Australian Canoeing.  Monies will be used to buy prizes during and at the end of the series.
11.    Points will not be awarded the first time you race.  The Handicap Series runs from February to November – 10 races in all – so the maximum number of races you can gain points in is 9.
12.    There will not be prizes for each race – improving on your personal best will be your reward! But there will be mid-year incentive prizes presented after the June race.
13.    Every effort will be made to start promptly at 8 a.m., but the Race Timer may start the race later if circumstances dicate, in which case handicaps will apply as indicated in the Handicap Guide below. 
14.    Start times will not be delayed for paddlers simply running late.  You are therefore strongly encouraged to be at Winders Park well before 8.00 a.m, but if you arrive late you may join in the race at your handicap time as long as you check in with the Race Timer at the start/finish line, collect a boat number and pay your $1. 
15.    A record of paddlers’ previous race times will be held by the Race Timer.
16.    If two or more paddlers wish to start together for competitive reasons, you may do so as long as all start at the handicap time of the fastest paddler.
17.    When possible a buoy will be placed before Wendt’s Bridge but, if there is no buoy, you must turn around the bridge pylon, keeping well clear of the pylon.  Turns must be made anti-clockwise.
18.    You must stop and assist any paddler who is in trouble.  Your time will be adjusted accordingly.
19.    All paddlers must wear at least a race singlet and sunscreen as protection from the sun.  A hat and long sleeves are recommended.
20.    Paddlers aged 14 and under must wear a PFD.  Although our younger paddlers are mostly competent swimmers and dislike wearing a jacket, this is an Australian Canoeing racing standard so it is to the children’s benefit to get used to paddling with a PFD.  Older paddlers should wear a PFD if not  confident swimmers.
21.    Points will be awarded to the first ten paddlers to cross the finish line – 10 points for 1st, 9 for 2nd, 8 for 3rd, etc.
22.    In the event of a points draw at the end of the season, the outright winner will be the paddler who has competed in the most races.
23.    The above rules may be amended during the year if we think of a better way to run things!
24.    A shorter course will be available for young paddlers, or for novice older paddlers who feel they cannot race 9 kms yet, but short course participants will not be included in the point score.
 

 

Time taken last race

Handicap

Start time for next race

1:00:00

0

8:00

59:30 – 59:59

 

8:00:30

59:00

1 min

8:01

58:30 – 58:59

1:30

8:01:30

58:00

2 mins

8:02

57:30 – 57:59

2:30

8:02:30

57:00

3 mins

8:03

56:30 – 56:59

3:30

8:03:30

56:00

4 mins

8:04

55:30 – 55:59

4:30

8:04:30

55:00

5 mins

8:05

54:30 – 54:59

5:30

8:05:30

54:00

6 mins

8:06

53:30 – 53:59

6:30

8:06:30

53:00

7 mins

8:07

52:30 – 52:59

7:30

8:07:30

52:00

8 mins

8.08

51:30 – 51:59

8:30

8:08:30

51:00

9 mins

8:09

50:30 – 50:59

9:30

8:09:30

50:00

10 mins

8:10

49:30 – 49:59

10:30

8:10:30

49:00

11 mins

8:11

48:30 – 48:59

11:30

8:11:30

48:00

12 mins

8:12

47:30 – 47:59

12:30

8:12:30

47:00

13 mins

8:13

46:30 – 46:59

13:30

8:13:30

46:00

14 mins

8:14

45:30 – 45:59

14:30

8:14:30

45:00

15 mins

8:15

44:30 – 44:59

15:30

8:15:30

44:00

16 mins

8:16

43:30 – 43:59

16:30

8:16:30

43:00

17 mins

8:17

42:30 – 42:59

17:30

8:17:30

42:00

18 mins

8:18

41:30 – 41:59

18:30

8:18:30

41:00

19 mins

8:19

40:30 – 40:59

19:30

8:19:30

40:00

20 mins

8:20

39:30 – 39:59

20:30

8:20:30

39:00

21 mins

8:21

38:30 – 38:59

21:30

8:21:30

38:00

22 mins

8:22

37:30 – 37:59

22:30

8:22:30

37:00

23 mins

8:23