Paddle With Your Pup

By Marcus Braid on January 2, 2015 in News

Watsons Bay is set to play host to the fastest growing sport in the world this Australia Day.

Every Man and His Dog, now in its second year, will see stand up paddlers and their dogs hit the beach on January 26 for a day of competition, fun races and activities.

“Stand up paddling is the fastest growing sport in the world at the moment,” event organiser Kerry Powell said. “It’s just a really great way of seeing a lot more than you would if you were sitting on the beach or doing land-based sports.

“It’s a great workout as well. It’s an entire body workout, from your legs and your arms to your core. If you’re paddling correctly and using correct technique, you really are giving yourself a complete workout.”

The Watsons Bay Stand Up Paddle Club will be launched off the back of Every Man and His Dog, and organisers are hoping to grow the event into a Stand Up World Series event for 2016.

“As this event progresses and as we’re growing in the local area, we’re launching a paddle club here in the harbour,” Ms Powell said.

“The idea, as with any club, is to launch some more social events and get more people paddling and doing it in a safe manner. First and foremost, we want to make sure everyone is paddling safely and having fun doing it.”

Participants in Every Man and His Dog are encouraged to bring their pooches along and have a good time celebrating Australia Day.

“We’ve got the real competitive side of the event with races, and then the fun element of bringing the dogs along and popping them on the front of the paddle boards, having a few treasure races and stuff like that,” Ms Powell said.

“You’ve got a great location and some of the most iconic views in Sydney. Some of the local businesses aren’t too bad for a couple of drinks either. We’re supported by the Watsons Bay Hotel and it’s a great location to have a few cold ones.”

Watsons Bay Stand Up Paddling (WATSSUP) is owned by Bondi lifeguard Terry McDermott and his partner Joanna Kyriazakos. Please visit www.watssup.com.au for more information about Every Man and His Dog.