EVENTS at this month’s Lancelin Ocean Classic will expand to include a beach run for the first time.
The annual competition will include windsurfing and kite surfing wave events on January 12 and 13 as well as the beach run and jet ski competitions on Saturday.
Organisers have planned reserve days on January 11 and 14, depending on weather conditions.
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READ NOWThe waves races on Friday include $3000 prize pools each for wind and kite surfers, while Saturday’s marathon windsurfing race will see competitors chase a $13,500 prize pool from Ledge Point to Lancelin.
Kite surfers will race for a $7400 pool in their marathon event on January 13 as well.
Eglinton resident Isaac de Vries has competed in the event about 18 times and said he enjoyed the physical and technical challenge of the marathon from Ledge Point to Lancelin.
“It’s not so much that you are racing – it’s more about finishing,” he said.
De Vries said he had been doing a lot of “water time” to prepare for the competition and expected to rank well, having placed second a few years ago, 13 seconds behind the winner.
“If I can get top 10, I think that’s doable,” he said.
The main beach run will extend from Lancelin to Ledge Point, with 6km, 12km and relay entry options, and there will be a shuttle bus for runners.
There will also be entertainment for spectators and competitors.
“It’s Lancelin’s biggest event of the year; it’s got a very good crowd of people,” de Vries said.
“It’s a good spectacle to watch a couple of hundred windsurfers take off from Ledge Point and there’s a fair bit of entertainment.”
This year’s program will not include an ocean paddle, which organisers said was pulled due to lack of numbers.
More than 300 people competed in the 2017 event. Online registrations will close on January 10 and registrations may be possible on the day if not booked out beforehand.
Visit lancelinoceanclassic.com.au
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