Author: Ron Chin

Join Latitude 48 Paddling Club for Bridges 2023, a fast paced 5km race on the Gorge Waterway in Victoria, BC.

On Saturday, OC6 heats will run throughout the day (9:00am to 3:00pm) with divisions for novices, men, women, mixed and junior crews. Gender and mixed crews will run separately, allowing paddlers to race in multiple divisions. The race goes up the Gorge Waterway, with a turn just before Tillicum narrows to head back to the start/finish line. Canoes for the OC6 race are provided, just bring your crew, paddles and pfd! PFDs must be Canadian Coast Guard Certified.

On Sunday, the small boat Inny Race (short course, protected waters) will run first, followed by the Outty Race (long course). This event is BYOB (that’s right Bring Your Own Boat as they are not provided for the small boat event).

The Inny Race is a 5 km race in protected waters ideal for new racers, marathon canoes and even experience paddlers that want a shorter “sprint” distance. The race goes up the Gorge Waterway, with a turn just before Tillicum narrows to head back to the start/finish line.
The Outty Race is a 12 km race that heads out of the Victoria harbour to run along the island’s coast. There may be course modifications on race day should conditions be too big for most.

CORA Membership is required.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Register soon, space is limited!

OC6 Registration: https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=328844
OC6 Registration closes: Friday, October 13, 2023 11:59 PM

Small Boats Inny Race Registration: https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=328850

Small Boats Outty Race Registration: https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=328854
Small Boats Registration closes: Saturday, October 21, 2023 9:00 PM

UPDATED JULY 27, 2023
Here are the CORA Cup Points Results following Lotus Iron/Nationals on July 22, 2023.

A crew’s points will be comprised of their top 3 out of 4 CORA Cup races this season, one of which must be Lotus Iron/Nationals. That means that crews who have raced 2 CORA Cup races are eligible to win a CORA Cup in their division if they (1) finish Lotus Iron/Nationals, and (2) garner the most points. Points at Lotus Iron Nationals are double those of the other CORA Cup races (1st = 10pts, 2nd = 8 pts, 3rd = 6pts, etc.).

There are several Long Course divisions with two crews vying for the most points following Lotus Iron/Nationals. No Short Course crews were eligible this year.

CORA Cup Medals were handed out at Lotus Iron/Nationals.

CORA CUP SPEC RESULTS					Duel	Jericho	Island	Nat’ls	TOTAL
Lotus Sports Club	Lotus Junior Men	Long/Full	SPEC	Junior Men	5.0	5.0	0.0	10.0	20.0
False Creek Racing Canoe Club	FCRCC Kupuna Gold	Long/Full	SPEC	Masters Men (60+)	5.0	0.0	5.0	10.0	20.0
Lotus Sports Club	Lotus Eaters	Long/Full	SPEC	Open Mixed (any age)	4.0	5.0	0.0	10.0	19.0
Fort Langley Canoe Club	FLCC CTP 50+	Long/Full	SPEC	Masters Mixed (50+)	5.0	5.0	5.0	10.0	20.0
Fort Langley Canoe Club	FLCC CTP 60+	Long/Full	SPEC	Masters Mixed (60+)	5.0	2.0	0.0	6.0	13.0
Fort Langley Canoe Club	FLCC CTP 70+	Long/Full	SPEC	Masters Mixed (70+)	5.0	5.0	0.0	10.0	20.0

CORA CUP UL RESULTS					Duel	Jericho	Island	Nat’ls	TOTAL
Fairway Gorge Paddling Club	FGPC Gorge Outrigger Open Men	Long/Full	UL	Open Men (any age)	0.0	5.0	5.0	8.0	18.0
False Creek Racing Canoe Club	FCRCC WMO Men’s	Long/Full	UL	Open Men (any age)	0.0	4.0	3.0	10.0	17.0
Pacific Reach Paddling Club	PR Men	Long/Full	UL	Masters Men (40+)	5.0	4.0	0.0	10.0	19.0
Fairway Gorge Paddling Club	FGPC Gorge Outrigger Master Men	Long/Full	UL	Masters Men (50+)	0.0	5.0	5.0	10.0	20.0
Comox Valley Canoe Racing Club	Comox Wahine Blue	Long/Full	UL	Open Women (any age)	0.0	5.0	5.0	10.0	20.0
Fairway Gorge Paddling Club	FGPC Gorge Outrigger Master Women	Long/Full	UL	Masters Women (50+)	0.0	5.0	5.0	6.0	16.0
False Creek Racing Canoe Club	Ohana Spirit Lightning	Long/Full	UL	Masters Women (60+)	5.0	5.0	5.0	10.0	20.0
False Creek Racing Canoe Club	FCRCC WMO Mixed	Long/Full	UL	Open Mixed (any age)	5.0	0.0	5.0	10.0	20.0

For CORA Club standings over the CORA Cup Series, False Creek Racing Canoe Club accumulated the most points with 163 points, followed by Kelowna Paddle Centre with 91 points, Fort Langley Canoe Club with 76 points, Fairway Gorge Paddling Club with 69 points, Lotus Sports Club with 44 points and Comox Valley Canoe Racing Club with 43 points.

Registration Deadline: Monday, July 24, 2023.

The race is scheduled for Saturday July 29, 2023, it circumnavigates scenic Bowen Island in Howe Sound, BC.

The races are open to OC6, OC1, V1, HPKs, SUPs, prone, Sea Kayaks and any other human powered craft. There will be awards if there are at least 3 entries in your category, there will be no age divisions except in outrigger.

The Iron is 32km long. It starts and finishes in Snug Cove. The direction of the race will be determined on race day based on conditions. If you are doing the relay you have to decide with your team who will start and who will finish. The legs are 18km and 15km. The change out will be at Tunstall Bay across the Island. You need to tag out. Don’t forget to give your car keys to your teammate so they can drive back.

This is an open water race with currents with variable conditions and possible rough water. Open water wave experience is highly recomemnded.   If you can’t complete the race, you can pull out at Tunstall Bay.  Approved PFDs with whistles and leashes for small boats to be worn.

The race fee this year is $45 per paddler, and is determined by the costs of fuel for safety boats, permit fees, awards and food.

More race information and registration here.

You also need to have CORA Membership, if you don’t have the annual membership you can get a the day fee for $15. Purchase CORA membership on-line before the race here.

Schedule:

08:45 Check in is open for SUPs, prone and Sea Kayaks
09:15 Safety meeting for SUPs, Prone and Sea kayaks
09:30 Check in is open for all other craft
09:40 Race Start for Prone (just after ferry leaves snug cove)
10:00 Race start for SUPs and Sea Kayaks
10:30 Safety Meeting for the rest of the racers
11:14 Race start for oc1s, and v1s
11:16 Race start for HPKs and oc2s
11:20 Race start for Women and Mixed oc6
11:22 Race start for Men’s oc6s
14:00 First craft expected to finish
15:30 Last craft expected to finish
15:00 prizing starting
15:30 Wrap up