In Perth, Western Australia, the weather is so hot and dry in Summer, the sea breeze which cranks in around mid day has been named "The Doctor" because it cools everything down.

The Doctor is also the name of the 27km down wind paddle race from Rottnest Island to Sorento Surf Club. The race was originally established for Ocean Kayaks, Outrigger Canoes, Surf Skis, and Prone paddle boards, but the last few years has seen a growing number of Stand Up Paddlers taking on the challenge of this marathon race. The Doctor is quite unique, because you have to load your SUP onto a barge the night before the race, and then catch a ferry out to Rottnest island for the start. Each competitor must carry a life jacket and flares for safety and most competitors carry water and snacks. The first third of the race had the wind on one side which took it's toll on the SUP's, but after the turing mark the course opened up to a great down wind blast. Paddlers connected several runners together to be blasting along the ocean on the back of the board. This was a great place for the new Fanatic Fly 12'6.

Fanatic rider Andy Davies took the Fanatic Fly 12'6" on it's maiden paddle and had a great race to finish in 3rd place. "The board really came alive on the chop / swells and was really easy to catch each runner." 1st Place in the 12'6" class was Queensland ION Team Rider Paul Jackson (2 hours 40 minutes) and second place was Bart De Zwart from Hawaii.

Adam Quinn (Fanatic Australia) finished 5th. This board has amazing acceleration down the swells and the new nose design just cuts strait through the back of the next wave.

The Doctor is gaining a great reputation as one of the worlds best downwind marathon races and will be one of the "MUST DO" events next year.

More:
www.oceanpaddler.com