Entries now open! For ski, SUP and outriggers. 

Race Instructions for Saturday 3rd 2025

Registration opens 9.30, first race 11:40
Queen’s Drive, Exmouth EX8 2AY
 
          

With thanks to  Exmouth Beach Rescue Club for hosting Exe Bay 25, and to all who make this race such a success, including: 
 
East Devon District Council 
Exmouth Beach Rescue Club 
SLSGB & Paddle UK
Sussex Classic Ocean Race 
VOTWO
Kirton Kayaks
GD Media
Numerous volunteers, families and drivers!  
 


Race information for 2025

We look forward to welcoming you to the 8th Epic, now Exe Bay Ocean Racing event, renamed as Exe Bay for 2025. Set in the beautiful Exmouth Bay, with easy access to car parking and facilities, and a beautiful sandy beach this is a superb race for spectators and a family day out.

This is a non-profit event, designed for surfski, outriggers and SUPs, raced around 3 laps of a triangular course in Exmouth Bay, approx. 10 miles / 16kms. This race is specifically designed to suit all levels of paddlers, from first time racers (who may wish to complete 1, 2 or 3 laps) through to those trialling for the GB Ocean Racing Team. 

This Ocean Race is the first of seven GB Team Assessment race of the 2025 season. For those interested in representing GB at the World Championships in Durban in October please read the selection document found on the Paddle UK Ocean Racing web page. For links to other OR races please see Ocean Surfski Events.

First raced in 2017, this is our first year under the authority and governance of the Paddle UK (PUK) Ocean Racing UK Committee (ORUK). The event is being hosted by, and water safety teams provided by Exmouth Beach Rescue Club, which is a Surf Live Saving GB (SLSGB) affiliated club. The Event follows the specific Paddle UK guidance for Ocean Racing, as published on the Paddle UK Ocean Racing web page.


  • Parking: Foxholes car park, Queens Drive EX8 2DF  Also at Maer Lane and Queen’s Drive. All pay and display. 
  • Toilets: Public facilities at Foxholes Car Park and Queen’s Drive 
  • Refreshments: Hidden Pizza pop up for tea, coffee, pastries, and pizzas. Fortes Café for other snacks and ice-creams. 
  • Campsite: Prattshayes Campsite
  • Cafes: Fortes at Foxholes, Krispies Fish & Chips, Rockfish 
  • Bar: Mickeys Beach 

    Timings Saturday 3 May: 

     09:30  Registration Opens - bring safety kit to registration
    11:00  Race Brief for all competitors
    11:30 Marshalling for SUP and Outriggers 
    11:40 Start for SUP 
    11:45 Marshalling for Ski 
    11:50 Start for Outriggers 
    12:00 Start for Ski 
    14:00  Approx late finishers 
    14:30 Clear beach, close course 
    15:00 Results and Prizegiving 

    Summary of Saturday Race Timings


      SUP  OC1, OC2 Ski  single and double 
    Briefing 11:00 11:00 11:00
    Marshall 11:30 11:30  11:45
    Start  11:40  11:50  12:00
     

    To enter Competitors must:

    • Be a current Member of Paddle UK (or home nation UK associations).
    • Single day membership is available for purchase with entry. 
    • Agree to the Race Declaration, Self Competency and Indemnity statements when completing the Entry Form 
    • Carry the requisite safety equipment (see below)

    Please note SLS membership is no longer valid for this race. 



    Min Safety Equipment for ALL competitors

    Bring safety equipment (except the craft) to be checked at Registration. No equipment, no race.
    • Seaworthy craft (ski, outrigger or SUP) suitable for the conditions
    • Whistle
    • Leg leash. You are responsible for ensuring it is securely attached to your leg and craft. 
    • Body PFD that complies to ICF OR standards.
    • Means of communication - either VHF radio or mobile phone, charged and in working condition in waterproof pouch securely fitted to the paddler/PFD.  
    • Race bib, number facing forward (issued at Registration, to be handed in at the finish line). Do NOT cut or change your race bib, it is worn over your PFD.  
    • Tracker (fitted at registration, handed in at the finish line).
    • Boat number sticker (issued at Registration) 

    GB Ocean Racing Team Assessment Race

    For those wishing to be assessed for the GB OR Team you must refer to the British Canoeing Ocean Racing Selection Policy and complete the Athlete Registration Form .
    The Appeals process is here. 

    Classes:

    Minimum age 16 on the day of the event (younger competitors will be considered on receipt of an email from an established Ocean Racing Coach, vouching for competency on the ocean, to info@oceansurfski.co.uk).

    The Event will follow the ICF Classes:

    • Under 18* Men and Women – must be 17 or under on the 1st Jan 2025
    • Under 23* Men and Women - must be 22 or under on the 1st Jan 2025
    • Open 23-34* Men and Women 
    • Para* Men and Women 
    • Masters 35-54 Men and Women - Must be 35 on the 1st Jan 2025(Non-Assessment)
    • Veterans 55+ Men and Women - Must be 55 on the 1st Jan 2025(Non-Assessment)
    • Open Doubles for any combination of paddlers wish to enter (Non-Assessment).

     *If you are wishing to use this event as a GB Assessment Race you MUST enter either U18,U23, Open or Para, and complete the BC Athlete Registration form prior to racing.

    The Course

     
     

    Warm Up: 

    Stay clear of the SUP and Outriggers starts

    Starting Line:

    • Start line is between flags with RNLI Station to Right as you look out to sea.
    • Come into the Marshall area when requested. 
    • Keep space between competitors.
    • Line on the Pre-start Marshall Line in numerical order. Lowest number away from the RNLI station.
    • Pre-start safety kit reminder – comms, leashes, PFD. 

    The Start for each Race:

    • Run in Start for SUP
    • Water starts for Outrigger and Surfski - Knee deep, stand to the left of your craft.
    • Whistle - move into the water.
    • Flag up on safety boat – Start within 1 minute 
    • Flag down - Go 
    • False start – Continuous air horn or whistle.
    • The Safety Boat will lead the first Competitors onto the course and around the first lap.

    Course Description: 

    Full Course: Approximate 10 Miles / 16Km
    Each Lap: Approximately 3 Miles / 5Km
    Out Leg: Approximate 0.5 Mile / 800m
    Return Leg: Approximate 0.5 Mile / 800m

    The course consists of an outward leg, 3 triangles and an inward leg:

    • Cross the Swimming Area
    • Leave the Turn Buoy to your left.
    • Leave the Navigational Buoys to your right
    • To the Offset buoy marked by the course Control Boat
    • The paddlers are directed onto the lap course. 

    • A lap consists of three buoys in a triangle, with the downwind leg being longest leg and two upwind legs. 
    • When the Surfski Race leader has completed 3 Laps the course closes.
    • The Safety Boats will sound a horn to say the course is closed – finish the lap you are on. 
    • ALL paddlers then continue back to the start area to finish on start line. 
    • Make sure you go around the turn buoy leading to the finish.
    • All competitors must inform the Control Boat if you are finishing before 3 laps or are withdrawing from the race. 
    • The race Control Boat will be taking a running tally of laps you have completed as you pass the control buoy.

    At the Finish

    • Take off your leg Leash once you turn to towards the finish.
    • Finish line - between the flags (flags will be 0.5m deep) Race time will stop.
    • Your Ski will be put to one side, clear of the water.
    • Take you and your paddle through the finishing funnel
    • Ensure you are ticked off as finished 
    • Tell the finish official how many laps you have completed. 
    • Hand in your Race Bib and Tracker.
    • Move your craft away from the finish area.
     

    Race Conditions:

    This is an Ocean  Race dependent on the weather, there is no plan B race. We will be reviewing the race conditions in the 5 days prior to the event, and an update will be provided, on social media and the website.  If necessary a final call by the event team will be made 48 hours prior to the start of the race.
    For Terms and Conditions please read here. 

    GPS Event Tracking and Bibs

    • All competitors will wear a GPS tracker provided by votwo.co.uk for competitor safety, and for friends and family to follow all the race action 'LIVE' on the day.
    • All competitors will hand in their tracker and race bib immediately at the end of the race. You will be charged for any missing trackers / bibs.
    • To follow the action go to : Geotracks Live Link  

    Safety:

    • This is an Ocean Race – there is an assumed level of risk in competing in this event.
    • Understanding your own personal competency and making the right decisions will keep you safe - You are responsible for your own safety.
    • By entering and starting you are making the declaration you have confirmed:
    • That you have the required competency for the conditions, and have the required safety equipment as by the event instructions, which you have inspected, along with your craft, know how to use and self-certify they are ‘fit for purpose’
    • Contact for the race organiser is:  07813 845890 Back up: 07768630388
    • VHF Channel tbc.
    • Hot Day – fluids, clothing. Race approx. 1hr30mins.
    • If you are in difficulty, press the emergency button on the race tracker, wave your paddle or arm in the air and blow whistle if possible.
    • Spare paddles will be carried by Safety Boats.
    • If you are near to a person in the water who requests help / or needs assistance – please give assistance / attract attention, until a safety crew take over. Report any delay to the finish Marshall and we will adjust your time / result accordingly.
    • If you exit the race early, you must return to the finish and hand in your race bib and Tracker, ensure you have been recorded off the course.
    • If possible, inform a safety boat or the Race Control Boat you are retiring from the race.
    • If there is there is to be a Mass Evacuation of the course – The safety boats and Race Control boat will sound continuous air horns – If possible, leave the course via the control buoy and return to the finish, unless instructed otherwise.

    Safety Cover:

    • Coastguard and RNLI informed
    • IRBs with VHF.
    • Race Control Boat – on the course, marking the entry and course exit point with VHF and Mobile
    • Race Safety Officer and Race director on Beach with VHF and Mobile 
    • First aid and defib at EBRC & Lifeboat station
    • People first – recovering the craft will not be the priority for safety boats
    • Safety crew / Race Organisers have final decision on your continued participation
    • Follow the Safety and Race Organisers instructions.

    STAY SAFE – Enjoy your Race

    Refunds 

    • If you are unable to attend the event please contact info@oceansurfski.co.uk as soon as possible. Your entry fee will be refunded, less an admin fee, if you cancel more than 72hrs before race day.  
    • On the day of the event if you arrive at the race and decide conditions are not right for your level of competency and you choose not to start the race you need to inform Registration immediately. You will be refunded, less an admin charge. This is to ensure you make your own decision to race or not to race, depending on the conditions and your preparedness on the day - safety first.   
    • Equally the race organisers reserve the right to refuse you starting the race if conditions are deemed unsafe for you.  You will be refunded, less an admin charge. 
    • There's always another race. 

    Prize Results

    Thanks to Vaikobi and Ocean Surfski for donating prizes. For a prize to be awarded in each class there must be:

    1st  - 3+ competitors on the start line for that class
    2nd – 5+ in the class
    3rd – 10+ in the class

    For classes with less than 3 competitors will default into the next class.

    Updates for race information

    Race information will be updated on the Ocean Surfski website, and from 48hrs before the start on social media and the race Whatsapp group.  

    Open this link to join the race info WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JzoXiuLd5dfCBrVNutbe3z

     

    Contact

    Jim Taylor-Ross 07813845890
    Annabel Taylor-Ross 07768630388  

    Click here to enter


    Results
    Results will be available live on Geotracks and published here  
     

    Governance 

    The Event follows the specific Paddle UK guidance for Ocean Racing as published on the Paddle UK Ocean Racing Website page.

     

    https://paddleuk.org.uk/ocean-racing/

    https://paddleuk.org.uk/shared-files/40011/Event-Safety-for-Ocean-Race-Organisers.pdf

    https://paddleuk.org.uk/shared-files/40009/Ocean-Race-Course-Grading.pdf


    This event is run in accordance with generic Paddle UK policies and procedures including:
    • Paddle UK Policies: https://paddleuk.org.uk/our-policies-and-procedures/ 
    • Equality, Diversity & Inclusion: https://paddleuk.org.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/ 
    • Anti-Doping: https://paddleuk.org.uk/anti-doping-paddle-clean/ 
    • Safeguarding: https://paddleuk.org.uk/safeguarding-policies/ 
    • Safety: https://paddleuk.org.uk/category/safeguarding/ 
    • Environment & Sustainability: https://paddleuk.org.uk/environment-and-sustainability/ 

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