Shaw And Partners WA Race Week 2024

The Shaw and Partners WA Race Week, scheduled for November 23-30, 2024, is set to be the most thrilling and lucrative event in ocean paddling history. This week-long spectacle will feature six exciting races, attracting the world’s top paddlers to compete for a staggering prize pool of $210,000 in cash and prizes.

Event Overview

The Shaw and Partners WA Race Week is a collaboration of events held in Perth, Western Australia, forming a mini-series within the Shaw and Partners Australian Ocean Racing Series. Competitors earn points across multiple races, with overall champions crowned in various categories.

Event Locations

The races take place at various locations along Perth’s coastline:

• Sorrento Beach: Host to multiple events, including the Dash for Cash and the finish line for several races
• Port Beach, Fremantle: Starting point for downwind races
• Rottnest Island: Starting point for The Doctor race
• City Beach: Finish line for Sunset Surfski Series races

Race Schedule

The action-packed week includes the following events:

Fenn West Coast Downwinder (November 23)

This 24 km downwind race from Port Beach, Fremantle to Sorrento Beach kicks off the week’s events. Paddlers will test their endurance and skill in potentially challenging ocean conditions.

Dr Benjamin Hewitt Sunset Surfski Series Races (November 26 & 28)

These 11 km downwind races from Port Beach, Fremantle to City Beach offer exciting twilight competition. Held on two separate evenings, these races provide a unique experience for both participants and spectators.

Race One Twilight Paddleboard Dash (November 27)

This 2 km downwind dash from Waterman’s Cove to Sorrento Beach is exclusively for SLSA spec boards. It adds a thrilling paddleboarding element to the week’s festivities.

Shaw and Partners Dash for Cash (November 29)

The surf ski sprint race at Sorrento Beach promises high-intensity action and excitement. Competitors will battle it out in short, fast-paced heats for a share of the prize money.

The Shaw and Partners Doctor (November 30)

The grand finale of the week, this 27km race from Rottnest Island to Sorrento Beach is the most prestigious event. It challenges paddlers with a grueling ocean crossing and the potential for unpredictable conditions.

Each race offers unique challenges and excitement for participants and spectators alike.

Prize Money and Incentives

The event boasts an impressive prize pool:

• Fenn West Coast Downwinder: $25,000
• Dr Benjamin Hewitt Sunset Surfski Series Races: $5,000 each
• Shaw and Partners Dash for Cash: $15,000
• Shaw and Partners Doctor: $50,000
• Overall WA Race Week Bonus Prize Money: $80,000+

Additionally, there’s a ‘Win a Ski and Paddle a Day in WA’ giveaway, with seven skis and paddles up for grabs.

How to Enter

Participants can register for the WA Race Week events through the Race Roster registration home page. It’s important to read all the information provided before registering. For double entries, only one participant needs to select and pay for the entry, but both participants’ details must be completed. Entries for the Shaw and Partners Doctor are capped at 700 participants, so early registration is recommended.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

WA Race Week Categories

All AORS Surf Ski categories are eligible for WA Race Week points. To be eligible for the Bonus Prize Money and Prizes, competitors must participate in either 4 or 5 events corresponding to their category.

Categories requiring participation in all 5 Shaw and Partners WA Race Week Events:

• Open Male and Female Ski (Ski Overall – includes all ski age categories)
• Junior Male and Female Ski
• Under 23 Male and Female Ski
• Over 40 Male and Female Ski
• Over 50 Male Ski

Categories requiring participation in 4 Shaw and Partners WA Race Week Events:

• Over 50 Female Ski
• Over 60 Male and Female Ski
• Over 70 Male Ski
• Double Male Ski
• Female Double Ski
• Mixed Double Ski

Competitors must participate in all applicable WA Race Week events for their category, and there must be at least 5 competitors in each category to be eligible for the Bonus Prize Money and Prizes.

Points System

The AORS Point scoring system is used for the Shaw and Partners WA Race Week for the 4 AORS events. The Dash for Cash has its own point system. Competitors’ combined total points across the WA Race Week events determine overall placings.

Event Star Ratings and Points

Paddleboarding Competition

The Race One Twilight Paddleboard Dash on November 27 is a thrilling 2 km downwind race exclusively for SLSA spec boards. This Paddleboarding Event adds variety to the week and showcases the versatility of ocean athletes.

Excitement and Anticipation

The Shaw and Partners WA Race Week is not just about the races; it’s a celebration of ocean paddling culture. The event kicks off with a Welcome BBQ on November 24, providing an opportunity for athletes, supporters, and organizers to mingle and build excitement for the week ahead.

Star-Studded Lineup

The 2024 event is expected to feature intense rivalries and world-class talent:

• Kenny Rice (South Africa) vs Cory Hill (South Australia): A clash between the current world champion and multiple-time Doctor winner.
• Danielle Richards (New Zealand) vs Jemma Smith (Australia): A showdown between the reigning Doctor champion and the current World Champion.
• Cory Hill vs Hank McGregor (South Africa): Two top competitors vying for supremacy.
• Tim Jacob (NSW) vs the field: The return of a former champion after a long hiatus.

Community Involvement

The Shaw and Partners WA Race Week is not just for elite athletes. The event includes a Nipper Clinic on November 24, encouraging young paddlers to get involved and learn from the best in the sport.

The Doctor: The Grand Finale

The week culminates with the legendary Shaw and Partners Doctor race on November 30. This grueling 27 km downwind race from Rottnest Island to Sorrento Beach is considered the holy grail of ocean racing. With a cap of 700 entries, competition for spots is fierce.