Fremantle Doctor Race 2018

The Fremantle Doctor downwind race in Perth, WA will be held on 24 November 2018.  The Doctor race is Australia’s annual epic ocean surfski paddling event from Rottnest Island to Sorrento Beach SLS Club covering 27 kilometers.  In case of extreme weather or other adverse conditions the race will be held on 25 November 2018.  Also, the race may be reversed if the wind blows easterly which makes for an exciting Rottnest Island finish.

The Doctor Race is in the top 3 downwind ski races in the world and attracts the downwind ocean paddlers from all over the world. The Doctor race is an annual event of the World Surf ski Series and  also the Australian Ocean Racing Series.

Race Planning and Logistics

The Fremantle Ski Barge or the Rottnest Ferry provides downwind ski transport. The skis are loaded the day prior to the event and transported over to Rottnest Island the morning of race day.

Most paddlers stay in accommodation in Perth or Fremantle and catch either the Fremantle or Hillarys morning ferry over to Rottnest Island which takes approximately 45 minutes. On arrival they unload and prepare their downwind surfskis and complete race preparations. 

There is a supermarket and several cafes on Rottnest Island for brekkie and hydration prior to the 27km paddle to Sorrento Beach SLSC. The Doctor Race start time will depend on weather conditions and shipping traffic in the race course. 

For interstate and international competitors, EPIC downwind ski’s available to hire for The Fremantle Doctor Race and other Western Australia events. The EPIC skis are available for daily, weekly and monthly hire with pickup and delivery in Perth.

EPIC also offers the SLS10 surfski for hire to Ironmen, Ironwomen and SLS club competitors in Western Australia. The EPIC SLS skis are available for daily, weekly and monthly hire.  The main Western Australia hire location is in Perth.

The EPIC range of fitness and recreational kayaks are available for daily, weekly and monthly hire in Perth.  Please contact us for availability and reservations.