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Surf's up in Saanich

Island’s stand up paddle board racing series
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Stuart Robinson paddle boards at the Comox Surf-SUP race on Aug. 20. Robinson is a favourite to win the men’s division of the paddle board race at Cadboro Bay on Sunday.

Yes there is surfing in Saanich.

Stand-up paddle board racing is coming to Saanich this weekend as the fifth and final stop of the Island’s Surf-SUP’s (stand up paddle) tour hits Gyro Beach Park.

The race is Sunday (Sept. 4) with more than 40 men and women racers expected to paddle the waters off Cadboro Bay.

“It’s a race but the day is perfect for people at any level as we’ll have demos for beginners,” said spokesperson and paddle boarder Roco Newson.

The races are beach starts and last about 30 to 45 minutes. A slalom course steers around buoys and is geared for all ages and skill levels.

The Island race series’ had stops in Comox, Parksville and Ucluelet before returning to Comox on Aug. 20 as part of the Canadian Waterman Festival. To win the overall standings, competitors need to enter four of the five races, though paddle boarders are invited to compete in events whether or not they qualify for the series.

Registration is on Sunday, at Gyro Beach Park starting at 10 a.m.

Racing gets underway at 11 a.m., followed by a barbecue.

Visit www.surf-sup.ca for more information, or call Stu Robinson 250-218-0711 or by email at stuart@compassadventure.ca.