2025 Marathon Series

Calendar

  • Race 1 - Wagga - Saturday 1st February
  • Race 2 - Albury - Saturday 15th February (Frank Harrison Singles)
  • Race 3 - Albury - Sunday 16th February (Frank Harrison Doubles)
  • State Championships - Canberra - Friday 7th, Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th March
  • Race 4 - Lane Cove - Sunday 30th March
  • Nationals - Ascot WA - Thu 10-Sun 13 Apr
  • Race 5 - Davistown - Saturday 17th May
  • Race 6 - Woronora - Saturday 14th June
  • Race 7 - Swallow Rock - Saturday 12th July
  • Race 8 - Penrith - Sunday 3rd August
  • Race 9 - Narrabeen - Sunday 31st August
  • Race 10 - Windsor - Saturday 4th October

Links

Round #4 - Lane Cove - 30 Mar

ALL the info on the LCRK home page here

States 7-9 Mar - Canberra

REPORT from Don J
I decided to make it a full weekend of paddling so entered all 4 races at the state champs.

It started with a bit of excitement when I got stuck in Sydney traffic leaving Sydney and arrived at 7:10pm for a 7:!5 race start for the Short Course on Friday night. Thankfully I'd lined up a Formula One pit crew. Andy had picked up my number. Kev was there to greet me and untie my ski. Who needs a warm-up when you have that much adrenalin? It did confirm to me that I'm no sprinter. Slow off the start (for which my cardiologist is grateful) and ran out of runway to mow down the 4 in front.

The Long Course on Saturday was probably my best race. Fuelled by a share of Chris' kilogram of bacon, I squeezed onto the podium - mine being one of the few State races where a podium finish is not guaranteed. (editor: Don’s understating his performance). Every Lane Cove paddler was enthusiastically and loudly cheered going past the pontoon, adding to the cameraderie and atmosphere. Then off to the Brewery to prepare for Sunday.

Both doubles races were a lot of fun. In the Men's doubles, I teamed with Rich in Black Betty - auditioning to be understudy for Keg. The 3 boats in our age category paddled as a pack until we put on the Keg-light after-burners on the last short lap for a comfortable win.

Then I teamed up with Karen in a K2 that some mistook for a submarine. A bit of resistance training with my weight in the front seat ensuring we were paddling downhill. And I was surprised to see Gareth on my wash for the 2nd race in a row - this time with his wife and paddling debutant Venice. Gareth also had marching orders from his cardiologist, so thought it was wiser to let us surge ahead after the first lap. But we then encountered another double under doctor's orders. Steve and Cass - preparing for a swift exit to deliver their baby - set a cracking pace off the line, and we did them the favour of clearing a path in front of them after lap 2.

So 2 golds, a bronze and a must-try-harder capped off a great weekend. Really well organised, as always, by Burley Griffin.

Some really impressive portaging by James, James, Brett, Dimmy, Dani in their ICF long course up against some stiff competition and then great to hear their cheers of encouragement when it was our turn.

And I also enjoyed the spectating - with some lively commentary by Margi Bohm, Mike McKeogh and others.


Above: Results for LCRKers and regular Wednesday TTers

Boat classes:

ICF Class is for ICF K and C boats and includes portage (for paddlers up to 64 years of age) as specified by ICF Rules. If you wish to be considered for selection to the PaddleNSW Marathon team to compete at the 2025 PA National Championships in Perth (WA), you must enter this class. You can still enter this class if you do not wish to be considered for selection (but you must portage as per ICF rules).

General Class is for all boat types (including ICF K and C boats) Paddlers are not required to portage. Paddlers who win their respective classes will be eligible for selection to the PaddleNSW Marathon Team to compete at PA National Championships (in the same General Class).

Friday evening - SHORT COURSE SINGLES
- Session 1 @ 19:00 - ICF Class (Portage)
- Session 2 @ 19:15 - All boats/All ages (No Portage)

Saturday - LONG COURSE SINGLES
- Session 1 @ 10:00 - ICF Open, U23, U18, Masters (35-64)
- Session 2 @ 13:00 - ICF Masters (65+), General Class (all ages), Para, Juniors (U10-U18), Novice Race & SUP

Sunday - LONG COURSE DOUBLES
- Session 1 @ 08:30 - ICF & General Class Open, U18, Masters, Para & Juniors
- Session 2 @ 12:30 - ICF & General Class Mixed - All ages

For Masters competition, initial registrations will be in 10-year age groups. If sufficient entries are received, and both 5-year sub-brackets can be constituted (3 entries per sub-bracket), classes will be restructured and raced accordingly. To facilitate constitution of Classes paddlers may be asked to paddle down an age bracket.

You can enter up to four (4) events.....(EG: Short Course Singles, Long Course Singles, Doubles & Mixed Doubles) Identify how many events you want to enter, and select your Registration Fee accordingly.

There is an option to enter Short Course ONLY. This gives you entry to one of the Friday evening races ONLY, and does not include the event T-Shirt.

Your entry fee includes a unique "States with Mates" T-Shirt. Please ensure you advise what size T-Shirt you require, and it will be available for collection in Canberra. (except for Short Course ONLY entrants)

Remember to order your T-Shirt BEFORE the close of Early Bird (16th February) to guarantee that you get the size that you order. Orders received after Early Bird cannot be guaranteed to be available in the ordered size.

Any questions about the event or entry can be directed to events@paddlensw.org.au

This event canot be run without the help of Volunteers and/or Officials. BGCC needs your help to deliver this event and if you can provide some time to act as a Volunteer or Official please do so. Not all Volunteers need to be Officials.....you can help just by handing out Race Numbers, or counting laps/portages, or even as an observer.

Regular paddlers who do offer to assist as a Volunteer/Official can obtain a $10 discounted entry to their next Marathon Series event - see Margi or Bob for more details after you've answered YES to the Volunteer question below.

A Friday night buffet dinner will be available and catered by Chef Maria – always a great range of food options and always good value. The Buffet Table will include a hotpot, pasta dishes, grilled meat dishes, salads, desserts and a soft drink. All for just $20.00 per person. (order & pay with event entry) Vegan, dairy free and gluten free options are available - please advise when entering.

Saturday Dinner and Medal Presentations will be at the Capital Brewery from 6:30pm. Capital Brewery

Marathon Nationals Thu 10 - Sun 13 Apr - Ascot Kayak Club WA

The event will run from Thursday 10th April to Sunday 13th April at Ascot Kayak Club on the Swan River near Perth Airport.

The schedule for the Event is: Thursday morning: Event opening; Thursday afternoon: SUP Marathon, U10/U12 & Non-Champ Two Lap; Friday: Short Course & Mixed Doubles; Saturday: Marathon Singles, Sunday: Marathon Doubles.

Links to Event Registrations and Event Guidebook are above.

Round #2 & #3 Frank Harrison Memorial Albury 15-16 Feb

Murray River, Albury

There are two races over two days, with singles on Saturday and doubles on Sunday (you can paddle either singles or doubles on both days if you wish). You may enter one or both days.

Day 1 Report (Chris J)
Day 1 singles completed in WINDY swirly flowing water. Lane Cove River Kayakers had a great day with Div 1 places James Harrington second and Alex James Roberts 4. First place Womens canoe Esther Wheeler, amazing!

Div 2 & 3 Andrew Pratley, Daniela Torre & Chris Johnson paddled the last 6 Km together and they placed, with Don Johnstone president just behind. This race is a lock for the diary next year. Day 2 doubles tomorrow


Above: Day 1 results for LCRKers

Above: Team photo standing in front of Hume dam

Above: Day 2 results for LCRKers

Round #1 - Wagga - 1 Feb

Wagga Bidgee Canoe Club hosted the first round of the PaddleNSW 2025 Marathon Series offering a one-way, down river courses for all Divisions.

Report: Alex Roberts Div1. First Race For LC
Ah, the Wagga Bidgee Marathon—a day when the Murrumbidgee River becomes the playground for paddlers with a penchant for both competition and camaraderie. With the club minibus to whisk us away to Wagga Wagga and a cozy house secured for the crew, what a great way to commute to a race, enabling some solid paddling chit chat along the way. Sure, there were a few hiccups with the logistics—but hey, lessons learned for next time, right? To make the trip even more memorable, my club mates made sure we stopped at the appropriate tourist attractions along the way, including the iconic Giant Merino and the legendary Dog on a Tucker Box, adding a touch of adventure to the journey.

The race itself was a delightful departure from the usual flat-water grind. The point-to-point course on the flowing Murrumbidgee presented just enough challenge to keep us on our toes. Eddies and currents lay in wait to catch the unwary, and the occasional submerged log added a dash of excitement. My start was less than stellar; a mid-sprint wobble had me playing catch-up with the lead pack. Eventually, James Harrington, Matt Gates, Craig Elliott, and I settled into a quartet, cruising along with the current at an impressive 17 km/h for the first 8 km. There's something undeniably satisfying about watching the scenery blur by as you paddle.

At the 8 km mark, the pace became too hot to handle for Craig and I, and we watched as James and Matt pulled away. Left to our own devices, Craig and I soldiered on until, with about 4 km to go, a determined James Pralija and his entourage of three other boats caught up to us. James P was on a mission, charging toward the finish. The final sprint started early and before we could even see the finish line, Craig seized an opportunity when James P missed a stroke in a current, but James P responded with a burst of power. This tussle played to my advantage, as their efforts left them spent for the final dash.

I'd like to thank all in the club for fantastic support in handling the logistics, making it easy for newcomers like myself to take part in and enjoy the race without the usual stress of planning and coordination.


Above: Most of the LCRK team at Wagga

Above: Are we there yet?

Above: Results for LCRKers and regular TTers