Spiritfilled Coastal Challenge 2025 - Shoreham Outrigger Club

ENTRIES CLOSE MIDNIGHT SUNDAY

Welcome to The Spiritfilled Coastal Challenge Cup #3 Ocean Racing Event, from Littlehampton to Shoreham by Sea, Sussex.

An exhilarating V6 Outrigger and Surfski A2B downwind ocean race from the River Arun to the River Adur. Running along 21 kilometres of some of the finest and safest South Coast beaches of the UK. This race offers the competitors a chance to test their skills, knowledge and racing spirit of open ocean racing, maximising the swell, wind and tide to take the coveted title of the King of Coastal Challenge sponsored by Spiritfilled Whisky.

Organised by Shoreham Outrigger Canoe Club and The Sussex Yacht Club backed by The Ocean Racing Committee and Paddle UK. A GB Ocean Racing Team Assessment race and a National Series race for Surf ski competitors and simply the best Ocean race for all mixed, men’s and women’s V6 crews from across the country.

Specifically designed to suit advanced paddlers that are competent at handling a long distance fast paced paddle in up to 30 mph running wind or 15mph head wind. We welcome you to join us on June 28th to race your heart out and then enjoy the post celebrations into the night at SYC.

Jon Ellman-Brown
Race Director
Chairman of Shoreham Outrigger Canoe Club
Director of Paddle Sports Sussex yacht Club

Event Details

This race is open to OC6 crews and Surfski.

This is a Paddle UK Ocean Race, set as a grade three course A to B course, suitable for advanced level competitors (depending on athlete competency and conditions on the day), approx 12.5 miles / 20 kms.

This race is open to OC6 crews and Surfski. This is a Paddle UK Ocean Race, set as a grade three course A to B course, suitable for advanced level competitors (depending on athlete competency and conditions on the day), approx 12.5 miles / 20 kms.

The Surfski entry is capped at 50 skis. To qualify to race ski paddlers must have completed one of the following:
• 3 laps of Exe Bay 25 or Rhoose 25
• EuroChallenge 25 World Cup Race

(Any entries from athletes who have not completed the above races will be considered by exception, dependent on places being available and confirmation of racing competency at the discretion of the GB Ocean Racing Committee.)

This event is one of seven GB Ocean Racing Team assessment races for 2025 – for those interested in representing GB at the World Championships in Durban in October please read the selection document found on the Paddle UK Ocean Racing web page.

This is the third year of the Coastal Challenge and the first under the Authority and governance of the Paddle UK (PUK) Ocean Racing UK Committee (ORUK).
This event is being hosted by Shoreham Outrigger Canoe Club.

The Event follows the specific Paddle UK guidance for Ocean Racing as published on the Paddle UK Ocean Racing Website page.
https://paddleuk.org.uk/ocean-racing/

https://paddleuk.org.uk/shared-files/40009/Ocean-Race-Course-Grading.pdf

In the event of the race being cancelled due to adverse conditions, entry fees will be refunded, less an admin fee.

Race organisers reserve the right to refuse entry if paddler competency is in doubt, including for the conditions on the day. Entry fees will be returned, less an admin fee.

Race Schedule

07.00 18.00 Race Hub – Sussex Yacht Club (SYC)
07.00 07.30 Optional Bag drop off SYC
08.30 10.00 Registration – The Beach Club, Sea Rd, Littlehampton BN16 2NA
10.00 10.30 Race Brief – The Beach Club
10.50 Marshall Outriggers
11.00 Marshall Surfski
11.10 Outrigger Start
11.20 Surfski Start
14.30 Approximate last finishers
14.45 Last Boats Arrive SYC
17.00 Results and Prize Giving – SYC
18.00 Race Event Closes — Bar, Food, Music continues into the night!

Click Here To Enter

Registration & Start

Registration takes place at The Beach Club Sea Rd, Littlehampton BN16 2NA.
Parking – There is a public carpark opposite at the Littlehampton Wave (what 3 words method.flag.middle) which is adjacent to the start beach. Bibs, Trackers and boat numbers will be handed out at registration.

The race start is in front of The Beach Club and will be a shallow water start. V6 crews will be in their boats other than steerer who will be in the water holding the rear of the boat. Surfskis participants will be standing next to their boats in shallow water. The V6 race will set off followed by the Surfskis 10 minutes later.

Race Finish and Sussex Yacht Club

The finish line will be between a marker buoy and timing boat located a short distance west of Shoreham Harbour. Once over the line, participants will then proceed immediately into the harbour and up the river to the Sussex Yacht Club. The race distance is 20Km, with an additional 2.5km to the yacht club.

All V6 & surfski’s off the water via the slipway and will be directed to storage areas for Surfski & V6.

A shuttle bus is available to take competitors back to the Littlehampton carpark to retrieve cars. (Tickets via the registration page)
Returning to SYC for results, prize giving and pickup Surfski’s.

Parking – The Tarmount Lane Carpark: (what 3 words speak.transmit.novels)
Co-op Supermarket Carpark: (what 3 words interrupt.headsets.eradicate) (pay & display / no height restriction).
Riverside Carpark on Shoreham Beach (What 3 words: puppets.adopters.opimists) (pay and display / height restricted)
There is also free roadside parking on Shoreham Beach and some around the town.
There is ramp access for wheelchair users to the Yacht Club and it is fully accessible internally with a lift and toilets.

Results and Paddle Paddle Party!

There will be a race event marquee set up in the SYC car park for results and prize giving. Draft beers, wine, cold drinks and hot food will be served from 2.00pm onwards. After the prize giving the party rolls on into the night!