Start

Woolacombe Beach, Woolacombe EX34 7DL

The Classic course heads due north out of Woolacombe Bay towards the notorious Morte Point (French for ‘Death Point’…!). This is where the mighty Atlantic Ocean meets the equally mighty Bristol Channel – home of the world’s second highest tidal range. These two giant bodies of water crash together at Morte Point creating the environment for some monumental sea chop to paddle through! Paddling skills are tested to the limit in any kind of swell, so all senses need to be engaged just 10 minutes into the race start! Not surprisingly, this headland has a dark history of ship wrecking on its sharp jagged rocks; seafarers are advised only ever to navigate the legendary Morte Point during high tide and with a heightened state of awareness – and the same applies to paddlers…..!

Once through Morte Point, there is a sense of relief as the race course steers 60º hard right rudder and east towards Bull Point, where paddling rhythm cannot be assured for at least another 2km until the chop from these corner headlands has calmed. Then, with the spectacular North Devon coastline stretching into the distance, comes the potential to start to really surf the rollers. With 9km of straight paddling ahead and 12km to the finish, it’s time to employ those sea skills learned in training that maximise speed and optimise energy, and find your ‘race-pace’. Lee Bay is very soon passing on the right at the 11km to go mark… so also time to look out for the other paddlesport craft who set off from there about 20-30 mins ago… (continue reading the 11km Course…)

Finish

1 Hangman Path, Combe Martin, Ilfracombe EX34 0DN

Rillage Point will be the last small headland to paddle passed before beginning the turn further east, and into the home stretch of Combe Martin Bay. With Watermouth Harbour and Castle on the right, the exit from the Bristol Channel has well and truly started – with just 3km left and the finish in the distance, the end is beginning to feel imminent…

Run Length

17 km

Shuttle Length

18 km

Weather & more

Do you need more info? https://iconsports.eu/pages/iconclassic

Apres paddle

The Beach House, The Red Barn, The Captains Table & many more to choose from.

Contributor

Mark Ressel