ICF - SurfSki World Series 2010 bulletin 01

Vesterålen – Invitation – ICF Surfski World Series Event

Arctic Sea Kayak Race (ASKR) welcome you to the second event of the offi cial ICF WorldCup for Surfski!

This is our 20th anniversary arranging ASKR, but the fi rst time we arrange World Cup for Surfski in cooperation with the Norwegian Paddle Association and International Canoe Federation. ASKR is an annual kayak festival containing events suitable for everyone – from novices to competition paddlers. – Together we are one big family - emphasizing inclusion, cohesion and the social aspect! Base camp is Skipnes in Vesterålen, North Norway. The natural surrounding backdrop invites to peace of mind and experiences that hopefully will be a memory for life. It is an honour to be the host of this event, which we hope and believe will give a new dimension to kayak competitions. Our arctic waters with a temperature of 8 to 12 degrees Celsius give an extra challenge to the participants according to clothing and security. We therefore ask the participants to prepare themselves for this. (See Race regulations) Our security systems include the Norwegian Rescue Company and the Norwegian Coast Guard, in addition to a trained escort boat crew. Security is our number one priority.

Date: July 30, 2010 Vesterålen – Norway

Location of Vesterålen Vesterålen is a district in the county in Norway, just north of . The Norse forms of the name were Vestráll and Vestrálar (plural).

The fi rst element is vestr n west, the last element is áll m ‘(deep and narrow) sound, strait’. The name describes the seaway west of Hinnøya - the old name of the seaway east of Hinnøya (now called Tjeldsundet) might have been *Austráll (‘the eastern sound/strait’). Vesterålen consists of the municipalities Andøy, Bø, , and Øksnes. Vesterålen is made up of several islands: Langøya, Andøya, Hadseløya, the western part of Hinnøya, the northern part of Austvågøya and several smaller islands. The landscape is mountainous, but the mountains have a more rounded shape compared to the mountains in Lofoten. The towns and villages are situated on the coastal brim (Strandfl aten) between the mountains and the fjords. The village of Bleik in Andøy, with the long beach and a sea bird colony on the small island Bleiksøya. The deep ocean is very close to shore here, and sperm whales feed in this area. There are also several lakes, such as Alsvågvatnet. Møysalen National Park is partly located in Vesterålen ([1]). The climate in Vesterålen is maritime, with mild winters considering this archipelago is well north of the arctic circle. In (Hadsel), January average is -1.8°C, July 24-hr average is 12.3°C, year average is 4.3°C and precipitation is 1220 mm with autumn as the wettest season (1961-1990 average).

Communications Vesterålen is connected to the mainland by bridges. It is connected to Lofoten by ferry, although since the opening of the Lofast road in December 2007, Lofoten can also be reached by road. The coastal steamer calls at the ports of Stokmarknes, Sortland and Risøyhamn in Vesterålen. There are two regional airports: Stokmarknes Airport, Skagen for small aircraft, and Airport on Andøya. Economy The population in Vesterålen as of January 1 2004 was 30,648 (Statistisk Sentralbyrå). The largest town is Sortland, but the regional hospital is in nearby Stokmarknes in Hadsel municipality. The Royal Norwegian Air Force has based all its P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft at Andøya Air Station, and Andøya Rocket Range is also located at Andøya. The Norwegian Coast Guard has its northern base at Sortland (Kystvaktskvadron Nord). Fishing, in particular Cod fi sheries, has always been important in Vesterålen. There is also fi sh farming, and some agriculture in Vesterålen.

How to get to ASKR (plane/airportshuttle): Alt 1) Plane: to Bodö (SAS) (Appx 1 hr 15 min) Plane: Bodö to Stokmarknes (Wideröe) (35 min) Bus: Stokmarknes to Sortland (15 min)

Alt 2) Plane: Oslo to Harstad/ (SAS or Norwegian) (Appx: 1 hr 40 min) Bus: Harstad/Narvik (Appx: 2 hrs)

From Sortland there will be arranged transport to Skipnes (ASKR base). Just tell us when you are coming to Sortland (in the registration form) and we`ll pick you up. (Sortland is just a small town – 10.000 inhabitants).

Location: Skipnes in Vesterålen, North Norway Map: http://www.askr.no/en/20100526133/Generell-informasjon/kart-oversikt.html Race Instructions: Ref. ICF Surfski Race Instructions. Because of our cold waters, participants must have the following equipment and cloathing: • A leash attaching the competitor to their craft • Min. 3 mm. Neoprene Longjohn and Neoprene socks. • Flare

It is possible to get the equipment on location Skipnes.

Registration/rent of surfski: Electronic registration on our webpage. We also rent out surfski! You can also enter the registration form using the following link http://www.askr.no/ index.php?option=com_ artforms&Itemid=156

Registration deadline: None!

Route description: The route, which is about 32 km long, is mainly on open sea and is therefore exposed to all kinds of weather and wind. Start and fi nish is in Skipnes with Nykvåg as the turning point. The contestants have to be prepared for varied sea conditions, with good aspects of surfi ng one way depending on direction of wind and conditions on sea (See map). We also have alternative routes should weather and wind conditions require it.

Classes: K1 – Men K1 – Women K2 – Men K2 – Women

Prizemoney: ASKR has budgeted a total prize of € 12.000,-. Depending on our sponsors the prize will be distributed according to number of participants in each class:

Men: 1st: € 3000, 2nd: € 1.500, 3rd: € 1000, 4th: € 500, 5th: € 300, 6th: € 200

Women: 1st: € 3000, 2nd: € 1.500, 3rd: € 1000,

We would like you to read through the information of the event as you will fi nd information useful for everyone! Should you need further information please do not hesitate contacting us by sending an e-mail to [email protected].

We are looking much forward and welcome you to a kayak event out of the ordinary…

Best regards

Arctic Sea Kayak Race 2010

Karl-Einar Nordahl Chairman

ASKR web (English): http://www.askr.no/en/ASKR-info/ Skipnes web (English/German): http://www.skipnes.com/ Touris info Vesterålen area (English): http://visitvesteralen.com/index.aspx?L=en