...riding open Pacific Ocean swells, then you do not get much better an opportunity to do so than competing in the Mount Pacific Downwind. Keen surf ski paddler & race organiser Neil Gellatly from the aptly named event company ‘Dare 2 Sweat Events' explains... "Competitors craft are set to be loaded onto a barge and racked in specially designed scaffold frames which have been wrapped in carpet, then tied down using lashings made from bicycle inner tubes to secure and protect the boats. The competitors themselves will board a luxury charter boat. Both Barge and Charter Boat journey to a distance of 25km out into the Bay of Plenty directly into the wind on the day. Following a transfer of competitors and unloading of craft, paddlers will congregate on the water before being released in three waves in a race back towards the mainland.

Guided by Mt. Mauao (Mt. Maunganui) in the distance, paddlers will source the power of the ocean, reaching surfing speeds upward of 15-25km/hr in the race to the finish on the Main Beach, to the sheltered side of Moturiki Island "(Leisure Island)".

And what happens if it's blowing an off-shore wind on the day? Gellatly, quickly dispelled any concern saying... "we just race in reverse from the Main Beach out to sea finishing on the leeward or back (calm side) of Motiti Island, then pick up paddlers and their craft and bring them home"".

Billed as the closest thing to racing the great Molokai Challenge in Hawaii you will get here in NZ. With plenty of spectator viewing opportunities for supporters from support boats, on Mt Mauao & Leisure Island, the event has the trappings to become a future event on the World Surf Ski Cup Series Ski Cup Series.

Gellatly has secured a guaranteed $1000.00 in cash prize-money (that includes a $500.00 remembrance prize for the first over 40 year old surf ski paddler - in honor of the late Jonny Payne courteous of Ohiwa Cove; (plus $250 each for the first local and first female home) . On top of this Gellatly has worked hard to gain the support of a good number of local and national businesses, each contributing to what has substantiated to be great product giveaway & prize pool. This includes a Kaskazi Lettmann carbon wing paddle, Sharkskin tops, Hutchwilco pouch inflatable lifejackets; Bodyline paddle pants; Mount Surf Shop Clothing/Gear, SUP NZ Starboard discounts; North Shore City Beach Series free season entries; Hammer race nutrition; Pluto salads & smoothie vouchers; Copenhagen Ice-cream ; Primo Extremo drinks; and Chris Borchardt & Studio 180 Massage Therapy. SUP NZ are giving away $1600.00 worth of vouchers to the first 3 SUP finishers, plus some fantastic SUP NZ & Starboard apparel as spot prizes. And the local Brewing companies have given us 6 dozen bottles of Croucher & Kaimai Beers for competitors to enjoy at the after event prize giving.

As a sponsor of the MPD, and as part of their support, Hutchwilco has given us 20 hard to come by ‘Inflatable belt punch lifejacket's to sell to entrants for a remarkable 25% discount. These are ideal for surf-ski, waka-ama (oc) and stand-up paddle boarders as they are worn as a belt around the waist, zip open, placed over the head and inflated by a canister and/or mouth piece. They have a reflective strip on the back and are designed to turn an unconscious patent head-up in the water, with 150N buoyancy.  There is also an additional zip pocket which could house a smoke flare, cell phone, food etc.  Check out the link http://www.hutchwilco.co.nz/webapps/site/60993/54214/shopping/shopping-view.html?pid=252719  for more info.

With the event limited to just 75 paddlers (on a first has fun basis), Gellatly reports "entries now coming in daily and the event is getting close to half full". Included in those entered thus far is one of the country's best Surf Ski paddlers -Tim Grammer [2nd Trans Taupo 2008 & 2009; 3rd KOH 2010 & 1st Bhutty Memorial Race 2010].

If you're from the South Island or overseas and keen to race, and obviously the only feasible way to get to the event at late notice is to travel by plane, Gellatly notes, we have a few Surf Ski craft available for possible hire/ use for those looking to fly to the event". To enquire, drop Gellatly an email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Gellatly reminds interested paddlers, that " early entries close at midnight Monday 15th February; however you can enter up to the close of the late registration on Friday night (19th Feb) between 7-9pm at the Mount Surf Shop on Maunganui Road. The Saturday morning registration is for pre-entered competitors only ".

Visit www.dare2sweatevents.co.nz  for an entry and all the race info you need.

If it's getting close to the race day, Gellatly asks paddlers keen to race to call him with intentions to enter on (027)648-7546 so he can save you a spot if one exists.

Note: Saturday morning registration is for pre-entered competitors only.

Visit www.dare2sweatevents.co.nz  for an entry and all the race info you need to convince you. Otherwise call the organiser on (027)648-7546.

The names of some of those entered thus far-

John Sanderson
Warwick Smith
Tom Jacka
Joe Cornforth
Mike Hall
Andrew Czar
Chris Borchardt
Tim Grammer    
Troy Griffin   
Johan Smalberger   
Mike Walker
Mark Van den Anker   
Mark Houghton       
Geoff Evison   
Simon Carpenter
Jeremy Stephenson
Dave Chambers
Gregory Allen
John Land
Darryl Forsyth
Tim McLaren
Robbie Ford
Wayne Patterson
Gavin Houghton
Jeremy Kuggeleijn