Great conditions, made for a challenging race for our first ever Paddle WA Ocean Racing State Championships.
Surrounded by the beauty of the Western Australian coastline, 92 paddlers set out to win the first ever Paddle WA Ocean Racing State Championships.
We couldn’t have ordered more perfect weather for the 23km downwind from Port Beach to Sorrento for providing a memorable challenge.
All but one completed the course, and we congratulate everyone on an excellent race!
Organising team
This was our newly formed Ocean Racing Discipline Committee’s first State Championships and we thank them for organising such a great event.
Founding Ocean Racing Discipline Committee members
- Amanda Bowman
- Andrew Crothers
- Beau Lewis
- Dean Beament
- Kathleen Lowry
- Rob Doherty (Event Coordinator)
- Travis England
Fantastic support
No event is successful without the amazing support of many.
We thank the incredible volunteer team who helped in so many ways behind the scenes, ensuring the smooth running, integrity and safety of the event. We are so blessed to have such a supportive and connected WA Paddling Community.
Our thanks to Rob Doherty, for his stewardship as event coordinator, and to Indian Ocean Paddling Club for their support.
Paddle WA events are synonymous with a healthy and delicious lunch afterwards, and the Sorrento Surf Lifesaving Club did not disappoint.
It wouldn’t be a competition without reliable and accurate timing. Our thanks to Blue Chip Timing for providing a seamless and easy timing system to record this auspicious event.
The importance of Sponsorship
Competition such as this could not be achieved without the generous support of our Sponsors and Partners.
Once again we thank the Department of Local Government, Sport and Culture, who along with Healthway support all our Disciplines and their competition.
We are excited to be able offer the opportunity for corporate sponsorship for the 2025 Ocean Racing State Championships, please reach out to us for more information.
And the winners are…
The medal presentation ceremony took place in the Sorrento Surf Lifesaving Clubrooms.
Dean Beament, President of the Indian Ocean Paddlers hosted the ceremony.
Special guests
The medal presentations were made extra special with WA sports legend Ken Vidler presenting winners with their medals.
“Australia’s most-decorated surf lifesaving representative when he retired from top-level competition. He won more than 50 medals in a career that spanned 23 years at junior and senior level. His major successes included one world title and seven Australian senior championships.”
source: WAIS Hall of Champions.
Paddle WA’s newly appointed President, Jocelyn Sisson, welcomed everyone on behalf of Paddle WA
Perpetual Trophies
We are very proud to recognise two exceptional paddlers with the latest perpetual trophies to add to our wall.
Ashley Nesbit Perpetual Trophy – Open Male Champion
Ashley is a stalwart of Ocean Paddling in Western Australia.
As a founding member of the Indian Ocean Paddling Club, Ashley was a driving force behind the growth and establishment of Ocean Paddling in Western Australia. His dedication and passion for the sport have made him a central figure in its evolution, particularly in the early years when the ocean paddling community was just starting to take shape. His leadership and vision were instrumental in bringing paddlers together and in creating a solid foundation for future generations.
Ashley’s success across multiple paddling disciplines—marathon, sprint, surf lifesaving, and ocean paddling—showcases his adaptability, strength, and commitment. Each discipline requires a unique blend of skills, stamina, and mental resilience, and Ashley’s ability to excel in all of them highlights his versatility and depth as an athlete. From the endurance and pacing of marathon to the speed and power of sprint races, and from the skilful navigation required in surf lifesaving to the open-water challenges of ocean paddling, he has mastered every aspect of the sport.
Beyond his own athletic achievements, Ashley invested significant time in running events, organizing competitions, and fostering a welcoming environment for newcomers to the sport. His grassroots efforts have helped build a vibrant community around ocean paddling in WA, making the sport more accessible and encouraging others to pursue their passions on the water.
Natasha Leaversuch Perpetual Trophy – Open Female Champion
Passionate about the sport, Tash aims to inspire women of all ages to pursue paddle sports.
Beginning her paddling journey at Cottesloe Beach in 1992, Natasha quickly rose to prominence, winning six consecutive state titles and becoming Western Australia’s first open female individual Australian Surf Life Saving champion with a gold in single ski in 1999. Throughout the 1990s, she competed in prestigious ocean races, setting records and winning multiple Rottnest Crossings.
After a break to raise her three children, Tash returned to win three more state single ski titles, a bronze at the 2007 Australian Championships, and six mixed double ski state titles. Her significant contributions earned her a place in the WA Surf Life Saving Hall of Fame in 2013.
Embracing ocean skis upon her return, Tash won ‘The Doctor’ in 2006 and claimed three victories in the Avon Descent, where she currently holds the mixed double ski record. Still competing today, she recently claimed the over 50-54 world titles in both single and double ski ocean racing in 2023.
Natasha’s remarkable journey from a young paddler to a celebrated champion and Hall of Fame inductee is a testament to her dedication, resilience, and enduring passion for the sport. Her accomplishments across various disciplines and decades have not only set records but have also inspired countless athletes in the paddling community. As she continues to compete and push boundaries, Natasha remains a powerful example of commitment and excellence in paddling in Western Australia.
The first two names were added to our newly minted perpetual trophies.
Ashley Nesbit Perpetual Trophy
Winner: Oscar Jones.
Presented by Ken Vidler
Natasha Leaversuch Perpetual Trophy
Winner: Jaimie Roberts.
Presented by Natasha Leaversuch
Medal gallery
⭐ Congratulations to all winners and competitors ⭐
We look forward to seeing you all next year.
Thank you for being part of the history of paddling and our very first Ocean Racing Championships!