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30km Wyong Ultra Marathon

September 7, 2019 @ 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

WYONG RIVER ULTRA BRIEFING

Tacoma is one of PaddleNSW competitors’ favourite Marathon Series venues, even in bad weather. Past years have seen the lap distance fluctuate between 5km and 10km.

For the 30km “Wyong River Ultra,” the first lap will be 17km, exploring much of the River’s beauty and changing nature – broad, straight stretches near the mouth – with narrower, tree covered winding banks upstream.

Apart from some unnatural looking piles of rock along the banks, designed to protect against erosion, Wyong River is in much the same condition as it has been for thousands of years! Trees have germinated in the alluvial deposits along the banks, and some of them have subsequently fallen into the River. In some cases, the remains are still there, years later!
Where they have not been able to be removed, Paddlers will have to avoid these “snags”, which are marked by a red buoy, or bunting, where not obvious.

The second lap, of 13km, will turn near Hope Street Wharf, in Wyong township.

The Start/Finish area will be the Tacoma Reserve, Wolseley Avenue, which is maintained by the local Residents.

Your co-operation is requested regarding navigation. To broadly comply with the “keep to the right” rule, it may mean that when rounding a right hand bend, you will need to keep reasonably close, but safely, to the right hand bank, so that approaching Paddlers can pass on your left, and are not tempted to cut the corner, inside you! When negotiating a left hand bend, allow room for approaching Paddlers to pass on your left.

There are several large yellow buoys with wire cages on top, which belong to the Council, for water monitoring purposes. These do not form any part of the course.

Where visibility is limited on some bends, one or two Pink Separation buoys are provided, as usual for PaddleNSW events –  14 in total.

There are two Blue Buoys at the Start and a Pink Buoy, to enable 2nd Lap Tracking.  The first Pink Buoy you will encounter, is less than a kilometre from the Start, with a “Two Buoy Turn” to the left, soon after.

There is another “Two Buoy Turn” after approximately four kilometres – also to the left.

On bends where there are no Pink Buoys, take care, and pass keeping oncoming craft on your left.

As implied before, for all cases other than at the finish, you will keep the buoys to your left (turn buoys and separation buoys).

Due to the narrow locations, the upstream turns are only one yellow buoy.

The bottom turn has three yellow buoys.

Finish between the blue buoys, on your last lap only.

Along most of the River, the banks are not easily accessible for kayakers, with few landing spots. Just before the Bridges, is one spot. (with water & Toilets!). At about seven kilometres upstream, a “Central Coast” Bali flag will mark a landing opportunity and Emergency Evacuation Point.

Multiple IRB Safety Vessels will patrol the Course and come to your assistance where necessary.

Though not a “long marathon,” the 30km still deserves respect, and can still be painful for some!

Good luck – have a good paddle – and maybe, take home a Medal!

Contact centralcoastpaddlers@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Enter via Webscorer.

North Gosford Rotary will provide a BBQ etc and Cafe2U will supply coffee, etc.

The original “30km Marathon” was begun in 1974 with the “Van Stappen Trophy.”

1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Medals will be awarded for the 30km Ultra, after the Event.

Medals will also be award for places in the 17km distance.

 

Wyong River pictures:

 

 

 

Details

Date:
September 7, 2019
Time:
8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Event Category:

Venue

Tacoma boat ramp next to Don Small Oval
Wolesley Ave
Tacoma, NSW 2259 Australia