Sunday Sundowners - surfski & sup clubs race

First race of the 2025 Winter Paddling Series organised by Takapuna Boating Club and Akarana Ocean Paddlers.
It was on Sunday 29 June at Akarana Marine Sports Centre, Okahu Bay.
The race is open to surfskis, paddle boards, Waka Ama and any kayaks but this time there were only surfskis and sup. I considered racing on a double sea kayak but the weather wasn't the best for my daughter who really didn't want to go (and I can't blame her as it is winter here).
I did the long race (2 laps) and ended up last 😅. It was tough on an Epic V7 in plastic while everyone else had lighter fibreglass/carbon and much longer surfskis (not to mention being top paddlers !!). I also did a mistake at 24:00 following some paddlers who were doing the short race before realising it. Instead I should have followed back the line of posts. It was a lonely race from the second lap, with some visits from the nice crew on the rescue boat.
It was freezing ! Towards I couldn't feel my fingers with the cold wind.
Anyway, it was good for fitness, I was happy to finish it despite being very tempted to give up at lap 2 and it was always nice to see some really great paddlers.