Ocean Surfski - X Bay 26

9 May 2026

Foxholes Car Park, Queen’s Drive, Exmouth EX8 2AY

Contents:

Race Info
Timings
Competitors & Classes
Safety
Trackers
The Course
Entry Fee & Refunds
Prizes & Results
Useful Links
Governance
GB Ocean Racing Series and Team Selection
Our thanks..

Useful links:

Race information for 2026

We look forward to welcoming you to Exmouth for the 9th Ocean Racing event, renamed as X Bay for 2026. Set in the beautiful Lyme Bay, with easy access to car parking and facilities, and a huge 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, approx. 10 miles / 16kms.

This Grade One 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 experienced racers starting the GB OR Series.

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 (pay by card or phone, 40p)
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

Timings Saturday 3 May:

09:00 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 OC1 and OC2
12:00 Start for Ski and OC6
14:00 Approx late finishers
14:30 Clear beach, close course
15:30 Results and Prizegiving

Summary of Saturday Race Timings

	SUP	OC1, OC2	Ski and OC6
Briefing	11:00	11:00	11:00
Marshall	11:30	11:30	11:45
Start	11:40	11:50	12:00

Competitors & Classes

All competitors will either be a current Member of Paddle UK (or home nation UK associations), or purchase Single Day membership with entry.

All competitors will:

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Please note SLS membership is no longer valid for this race.

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.

The Event will follow the ICF Classes:

Under 18 Men and Women
Under 23 Men and Women
Open 23–34 Men and Women
Para Men and Women
Masters 35–54 Men and Women
Veterans 55+ Men and Women
Open Doubles

Safety

This is a grade one Ocean Race, dependent on the weather conditions. Updates will be provided in the 5 days prior to the event via the race Whatsapp group and Ocean Surfski social media.
This is an Ocean Race – there is an assumed level of risk, see Declaration in Race Entry
You are responsible for your own safety
Carry required safety equipment
Emergency contact numbers provided
If in difficulty, use tracker emergency button
If retiring early, inform safety crew

Safety Cover:

Coastguard and RNLI informed
IRBs with VHF
Race Control Boat
First aid and defib available
Safety crew have final decision

Minimum Safety Equipment, compulsory for ALL competitors

Seaworthy craft (ski, outrigger or SUP) suitable for the conditions
Whistle
Leg leash
Body PFD that complies to ICF OR standards (Waist belts not acceptable)
Means of communication – VHF or mobile phone in waterproof pouch
Race bib (issued at Registration)
Tracker (fitted at registration)
Boat number sticker

Trackers

All competitors will wear a GPS tracker (issued at registration)
Trackers and bibs must be returned once the competitor clears the water
Follow the action at Geotracks Live

The Course

Warm Up:

Stay clear of the SUP and Outriggers starts

Starting Line:

Start line is between flags with RNLI Station to the right
Come into the Marshall area when requested
Keep space between competitors
Line up in numerical order
Pre-start safety kit reminder

The Start for each Race:

Run in Start for SUP
Water starts for Outrigger and Surfski
Whistle – move into the water
Flag up – Start within 1 minute
Flag down – Go
False start – Continuous air horn
The Safety Boat will lead the first Competitors

Course Description:

Full Course: Approx 10 Miles / 16Km
Each Lap: Approx 3 Miles / 5Km
Out Leg: Approx 0.5 Mile / 800m
Return Leg: Approx 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
A lap consists of three buoys in a triangle
Competitors can choose to finish after 1, 2 or 3 laps
When the Surfski Race leader completes 3 laps the course closes
Finish at the start line
Inform the Control Boat if finishing early

At the Finish

Remove leg leash
Finish between the flags
Clear the water
Go through the finishing funnel
Hand in Race Bib and Tracker

Entry Fee & Refunds

Before race day - refunds are available up to 72hrs before race day (less a small admin fee)
On race day - If conditions are unsuitable for your competency, a refund (less a small admin fee) is available. Stay safe and chose another day.
Organisers may refuse a start if deemed unsafe for an individual or class.

Prizes & Results

Ocean Surfski vouchers will be awarded as prizes.

1st – 3+ competitors
2nd – 5+ competitors
3rd – 10+ competitors

Classes with fewer than 3 competitors will merge into the next class.

Updates for race information

Updates will be posted on the Ocean Surfski website and social media.
Join the WhatsApp Group: Click here

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

X Bay comes 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.

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

GB Ocean Racing Team Assessment Race

This year X Bay is NOT a qualifying race for the GB Ocean Team, but results do count towards the new GB Series. For paddlers interested in representing GB at the European Championships in Brest, France in August and at the World Championships in Alicante, Spain in October please read the selection document found on the Paddle UK Ocean Racing web page.

For other races in the GB Series please see Ocean Surfski Events.

For those wishing to be assessed for the GB OR Team you must refer to the Paddle UK Ocean Racing Selection Policy and complete the Athlete Registration Form.

The Appeals process is here: Ocean Racing – GB Team Athlete Registration