2024 Ultra Marathon Opportunities

LCRK has always had strong participation in a range of accessible and iconic ultra-marathon events. For 2024 the events include:

BGCC 24-Hour Relay Paddling Challenge -7-8 December 2024

Paddle your way to glory or just have fun with friends! Whether you're solo or part of a team, join us on the Molonglo River for a 24-hour or 16-hour challenge. With options for both competitive and social relay teams, there's something for everyone.

Early Bird entries close midnight 1st December! Sign up now here

Marathon Practise and Camp as part of the BGCC 24-hour relay event (held in Canberra – provisional home of the 2026 National Marathon Championships)

Anyone interested in competing at National Marathon Championships in WA next year ... this is a great opportunity to do a practise run of the main Nationals format – we really only get to practise this at the Frank Harrison race and State Marathon Champs. Doing it now, will provide you with great feedback on how to tailor your training well in advance.

The Date: 7 - 8 December, 2024.

Details and link to entry (now open) from the BGCC web-site: here

Saturday 9 am. Start with the general group and do your Nationals distance (with portages if you have to portage). You will get each lap timed as part of the 24-hour relay. Those who are interested can take part in a Marathon Camp on Saturday afternoon working on technique video and assessment and trying out different boats, especially if you want to move up from a ski to a kayak.

Saturday dusk … warmdown paddle to see if we can find one of the many platypi in the Molonglo river. While on the water, we will work on technique drills.

Sunday 6 am Doubles Day (as per Nationals Program) ... start with the general group and do your Nationals distance (with portages if you have to portage). You will get each lap timed as part of the 24-hour relay. If you don't have a doubles partner, this is a great time to back up in the single. Either way ... the key is to get sequential hard racing days over the marathon distance.

Nationals Practise - lap timing - technique feedback - platypi - excellent facilities and the famous BGCC hospitality ... How GOOD is THAT! If you are interested, please enter into the 16-hour event and then email Margi at margi.bohm@gmail.com so that I can work with you to ensure that you get the most out of the weekend.

Massive Murray MMP415

Clarence 100 11-13 Oct - Report by Wade Rowston

Clarence 100 – 2024

The Clarence 100 is a 3 day paddling race on the mighty Clarence River in the northern rivers region of NSW.

  1. Day 1 - 40km – Copmanhurst to Grafton
  2. Day 2 – 42km – Grafton to Mclean
  3. Day 3 – 25km – Mclean to Yamba

This year we had a small contingent representing LCRK.

  • Richard Barnes and Chris Stanley – Mirage 720
  • Andrew Murray (Muz) and friends Jess Gould and Marc Gower – Mirage 720 – Relay (their team name was ‘That’s a Paddlin’ which is a Simpsons reference – google it)
  • Lee Wright – Ocean Ski
  • Wade Rowston – Ocean Ski

Check out the times using the link above.


Above: Lee preparing for the start on Day 1 (Photo Wade)

Day 1 is an early start at Copmanhurst which is about a 30 min drive west of Grafton. The mass start was in the fog but conditions were good and the fog started to lift after about half an hour. There are some tricky shallow sections in the first hour that is best avoid because it is not sandy shallows but rocky shallows! The river gradually starts to open up during this leg.

The halfway point is the changeover for the relay. Muz paddled the full distance each day while Jess and Marc swapped at the halfway point. In the second half the river becomes larger still and some wake boats and water skiers were encountered.

All up Day 1 conditions were as good as they get with the luxury of finishing with the tide. Myself and Lee finished only a few mins apart with Muz and Marc only 10+mins behind. Richard and Chris were another 30+ mins further back enjoying the scenery having stopped for morning tea.

Day 2 is another early start. Self nominated slower boats head off in an even earlier start. Once again the conditions were next to perfect for the whole leg. The first 20km is a soul destroying, almost straight section that can be wind affected, but not this year. The river is huge in this section and the distances seeming vast and it is hard to get a sense of making any progress.

At the halfway mark the race enters the southern arm of the Clarence which is much smaller with plenty of twists and turns. We did encounter some head winds in the long stretch into Mclean but nothing too taxing.

I had a good day except for when I tried to washride a double ski on the side when they came through. They objected strongly for some reason that still remains a mystery to me. Pretty sure they had no idea of the rules and etiquette of marathon kayaking and washriding.

Lee was not far behind at the end and Muz and Jess had a strong finish. I had a good chat with Richard and Chris during the day too as I passed by. Richard and Chris cruised to the finish line a little later.

Once again we had the luxury of finishing with the tide for the last couple of hours.

Day 3 was a different story. Overnight a southerly had made its way up the coast and conditions became challenging, mainly in the last 7km. Richard and Chris took the early start option. Muz and Jess powered off the start line and left myself and Lee behind in the bumpy conditions. The first leg was very short for the doubles relay on Day 3.

Once the big horseshoe (check out the race maps for details) was rounded and the paddlers head due south, we were faced with 30km headwinds gusting up 40km with steep sharp wind waves. This section of the river is huge and very exposed to winds.

The double Mirages were occasionally taking waves over the bow. I struggled in this section and was very thankful that Richard and Chris shadowed me as I must have looked stressed out (which I was) managing the rough conditions.

Muz and Marc took LCRK line honours for the day handling the conditions with aplomb. The finish is on a beautiful sandy river beach where the the local dolphins were passing by to check out what was going on. I finished with Richard and Chris with Lee just 3 mins later. Most paddlers were just happy to make it to the end. We then all adjourned to the Yamba golf club for the presentation.


Above: Jess, Marc and Muz at the finish - Day 3 (Photo Sharon Mitchell - official photographer)

Above: Wade, Chris, and Richard (in disguise) at the finish Day 3 (Photo Sharon Mitchell - official photographer)

This event is an excellent mix of solid morning ultra marathon paddles on an amazing river followed by very social lunch and evening gatherings, usually at the nearest pub. It is a lot of fun and highly recommended. Why not give it a try or come back next year!

Myall Classic 21 Sep

Report from 47km Safety Boat (Craig S)

Club Champion Trev Nicholls again provided his boat for safety duties at the 47k turnaround, crewed by Anne and Darren Williams plus Craig Salkeld. Any guilt felt by these paddlers for not participating was soon erased in the picturesque cruise on Myall Lake to the safety position at the top mark.

Duties then included:

  • immersion in the river to check temperature/obstacles (swimming)
  • quality testing of boat emergency provisions (snacks) and
  • wildlife survey (sea eagles & dolphins).

All paddlers were provided guidance and rounded the top mark in needed good condition for the windy return leg !

Report from James C

Doing the Myall for the 1st time….my observations:

  1. Everyone in the club is very keen and enthusiastic when it comes to providing advice for 1st timers. Generally there is a mindset of ‘hell yeah, give it a go!’
  2. With the Myall there was this same encouraging approach albeit mixed with some warnings and stern faces
  3. Distance was not the issue with most people insisting that the 12(km) shouldn’t even be contemplated…i.e ‘go for the 47 or at the very least the 27’
  4. The trepidation was all about the open broadwater section at the beginning and end of the course where the wind can whip up some chop
  5. This then meant boat selection was the key but again the advice was mixed between pro-ski vs pro-k1…with some suggesting I take both and then decide on the start line
  6. Ultimately I chose the latter and sure enough there was a really challenging open section with side chop which Tony had fortunately advised in his pre-race briefing should be negotiated at a 90 degree angle
  7. This was good advice because whilst I did a big triangular diversion each way I did manage to stay upright and complete the course
  8. Btw, the rest of the course (aside from this 1km broadwater stretch) was awesome, flat water, curvy and very scenic. Will definitely be back next year!

Report from Naomi J

There is something about the Myall that I can’t quite put my finger on. The sense of weekend escape with a light beach vibe perhaps? Or the feeling of donning shorts for the first time in many months to lounge, exhausted, in the Saturday afternoon sun waiting for presentations? The race, and my resulting bad-taste paddle tan line have come to signal the change from spring to summer. Meandering along the river foreshore on the Friday evening, the full moon hung low in the sky, dripping a luminous path over the water below. Twelve hours, a very large breakfast and one scrutineering session later and we were on the start line of the race itself. I elected to take the late start of the 47km race, and lined up with some seriously seasoned singles and doubles to take on the long haul.

What followed was very much a race in two halves. Off the start line and we were blown around for a few kilometres crossing Broadwater but once we hit the river itself the wind was relatively manageable and the incoming tide felt like a jet pack propelling us up the river. I didn’t have the best start – wind plus wash plus lighter paddler – and didn’t quite make the nice-looking wash pack of Rich and Craig in the double ski, with a barnacle entourage of Don J, Chris J and John Denyer from SSCC. I settled in to paddle some distance on my own, then was joined by Pete Avery in his LRec and we got into a rhythm of staying more or less equidistant behind the wash pack. Around one bend and I was sure we’d made up ground, around the next and it seemed we had fallen back. Working out where the tide was flowing best was as much guesswork as reading the river, and all we could do was keep paddling. A serious highlight of the journey up was seeing a pair of dolphins meandering along about 18kms up the river; they seemed totally unphased by the boats and quite content to weave around as fancy took them.

As we approached the top turn, I could see that the was pack was breaking up – surely a combination of fatigue and different feeding requirements. Pete was proving to be a fabulous cheer squad, and told me several times that I’d definitely catch most of the group ahead, and to remember to paddle my own race. His race involved some breaks out of the boat from halfway in, so I was again on my own, but in true Naomi fashion I was feeling great with the increased distance, and now doubly motivated to start catching people. Around the turn, and it was clear that everyone was being hit by the wind and tide. We shrank to the sides of the river in an effort to avoid the worst of the onslaught, but still felt ourselves buffeted around by gusts and eddies of wind.

Back across Brasswater and there were noticeable white caps on the little waves that we found ourselves punching through. Despite warnings from the race director (sorry Tony), we paddled out of the channel and straight into the wind to avoid being blown sideways. I caught John Denyer, then after Brasswater passed Chris as well. Don’s lifejacket is bright yellow, and it was dancing tantalisingly ahead, disappearing around a corner only to become the focus of my attention again as we came into the next straight section. The speeds on my GPS weren’t doing anything to keep me motivated – at one point I was doing less than 7kph – but the thought of catching Don certainly was.

The great thing about final 12kms of the Myall is that there are suddenly more people with the addition of the 27km and 12km paddlers rounding their various turns. Back past Eagle’s Reach, calling out encouragement to paddlers from the late 27km start who were almost at their top turn. Don’s racing lines were becoming increasingly creative, taking full advantage of a high tide to cut huge chunks off corners. I followed, navigating more than the odd back-eddy but thankfully no water shallow enough to play havoc with the rudder. Back past Myall River camp and into the blustery Broadwater as the tide turned rather dramatically. One minute I was doing 9kph into the wind, the suddenly there were 11s on my watch again. I was definitely catching Don, who took a more sheltered path through some moored boats to my bowling headlong down the channel. Despite a heroic final sprint I didn’t quite catch him – the clock showed just five seconds difference after four hours and twenty seven minutes in the boat!

It was fabulous to see such a strong turnout from Lane Cove for this year’s Myall, the smiley faces and support of all the volunteers made the day for so many. Particular thanks are due for race director Tony Hystek and the Myall Committee, who have put a huge amount of time and energy into the race running smoothly and the paddlers having a great time. Hopefully one day Tony can join in the racing again!


Above: Results for LCRKers

Wyong 30 - 29 Sep

Report The Lakes SLSC Crew arrived first, followed by the "set up" Crew - President Ray Waldron, Secretary Nick Naughton and Treasurer Margaret Naughton to overcast skies.

The first task for the SLSC was to install two Turn Buoys at the mouth of Wyong River to complete the 15km lap course, in a return to the same format used for many years. Fallen trees "upstream" - following a significant flood a few years ago, causing the change. The "Top Turn Buoy," behind the High School, upstream of "Town," was installed during the week by Rob McPherson, Cam Mehmet and Nick Naughton, who also marked snags in the top kilometre of the River.

The "early starters" set off soon after, including the only Central Coast Paddlers representative, Marni Kay. Then some Lane Cove Members in singles, followed by an independent C2 crew! The well-known Brisbane Water double crew of Alby Cobb and Geoff Dawes then launched. More "LCRK," and a well performed double ski team from Hunter Valley Paddlesports Club.

Some local Paddlers in the Club Race started, followed by the Brisbane Water speedster, Trent Martin, who had the fastest "Single" time for the 30km - since the Race began in 1974!

There were sixteen 30km, three 15km and twelve Club Race Paddlers.

First home in the 30km, was Marni Kay, second was the C2 Paddlers - Colin Cook and Stuart Mathieson, and third was Richard Yates. Second fastest time - Gene Burns and Jason Morton, third fastest - Don Johnstone - President of Lane Cove River Kayakers.

"Thank You" to Ray Waldron, Timekeepers Diana and Margaret, Lane Cove River Kayakers, SLSC Crews, and the other helpers who made it a successful day.

Nick Naughton, Secretary, CCP.

Results are shown below

RPM 8-10 June 2024

RPM 2024 Report - Best scenery for an Ultra Marathon in Australia– by Wade Rowston

The Riverland Paddling Marathon (RPM) is held every year over the June long weekend on the Murray River starting at Berri and finishing at Morgan in the Riverland region of South Australia.

The Murray River in this region is simply magnificent with some spectacular sections with huge cliffs on the outside of very long corners. It is also peaceful and remote in many sections with only the sound of your paddles splashing and the birds to be heard.

On land, the Riverland region is very much outback country as the landcrews and relay paddlers know driving from checkpoint to checkpoint.

This year we were blessed with favourable weather conditions with very little wind and mostly mild temperatures except for a couple of cooler starts. However, the water level was quite low which meant there was little flow to assist the paddlers.

This years LCRK contingent included:-

Full Distance 200km (M200)

  • Naomi Johnson and Tony Hystek – K2
  • Mark Hancock and Andrew Murray (Muz) – SLR2 (landcrew - Jess and Nathan - friends from Adelaide)
  • Tom Simmat – Horizon Tourer (landcrew - super Christine)
  • Richard and Lindon Barnes – Kermit the double Mirage

Full Distance 200km Relay (R200)

  • Richard Yates, Craig Ellis, Tony D’Andreti, Duncan Johnstone – Doubles - SLR 2
  • Andrew Pratley and Wade Rowston – Singles (Epic V12 and Sonic)

Here is brief overview of each boat/team. All credit and kudos goes to the full distance paddlers. The relay paddling is not easy either with each leg being paddled as fast as possible.

Naomi and Tony – they had a less than idea preparation with a lack of time together in the clubs Knysna K2 and changed paddling positions in the boat just prior to the RPM. There were also some boat repairs and adjustments required. Tony had a knee issue and was not the usual tower of strength that we are used to. By their usual ultra marathon standard, they struggle through day one, the longest day, and had lots of stops. Slight improvement on day 2 but by day 3 went very well even though Naomi had picked up a cold. Having said all that they were still the fastest M200 boat. Friendly competition between with the two LCRK relay teams ensured they pushed along as best they could. Congratulations!


Above: Day 1 - Naomi and Tony all smiles at Day 1 start (Photo Wade)

Mark and Muz – they also had a late change of boat and a change of paddling positions when they moved from their Mirage 720 to an SLR2 a couple of weeks before the RPM. Day one was a long slog for them as they were still getting used to the SLR2 and there was no river flow helping the paddlers. Days 2 and 3 saw big improvements and solid ultra paddling saw them finish strongly. Jess and Nathan, their friends from Adelaide, were superb as their landcrew.


Above: Day 1 - Mark and Muz keen to get stated in their newly acquired SLR2 (Photo Wade)

Tom Simmat – reverted to his Horizon Tourer for comfort and stability after tipping in due to high winds at his last RPM a couple of years ago. Day 1 was a long hard slog when cut off times at the last checkpoint threatened, but he managed to finish in time. He also improved on days 2 and 3 and finished strongly. He was supported magnificently by ever present Christine.


Above: Day 2 start - camera shy Tom the furthest boat (Photo Wade)

Richard and Lindon – paddling Kermit, the worlds heaviest double Mirage, ever joyous Richard and Lindon, with no preparation, cruised along and enjoyed the beautiful scenery and stopped for a lunch breaks. I am not sure if they were aware of cut off times at checkpoints. On Day 1 they may have been out of time at the last checkpoint but continued to the finish line in any case, finishing at dusk. On Day 2 and 3 they pushed along and made the cutoff off times. They were extremely popular in the locks where other paddlers like to raft up to stable boats. I did exactly that. Thank you Richard and Lyndon.


Above: Day 2 - Kermit with Richard and Lindon on board cruises out of the lock (Photo Andrew P)

Richard Yates, Craig Ellis, Tony D’Andreti, Duncan Johnstone – with great preparation and organisation this is always the A-team of the event. From the very first leg on Day 1 they showed their intent to be at the head of the field, which they achieved every day. To their credit they switch paddling partners each day. On Day 1 and 2 all I can report is that they disappeared into the distance after exiting they lock. However, on Day 3, they were pushed to the limit for line honours after Andrew P paddled the double leg out of the lock superbly and managed to get a 6 min break on them at the last change over to me. However they caught me with about a 1km to go. Well done team! They were easily the fastest double relay team and added to their orange hat collection. (The trophies for winning your division is an orange RPM hat).


Above: Day 1 - Team Cheezels (The A-team) waiting for their start + Naomi (Photo Wade)

Above: Day 2 - Richard and Duncan off to a good start on Day 2 (Photo Wade)

Andrew Pratley and Wade Rowston – Andrews’ preparation was solid but mine was far from ideal having picked up a bad cold a couple of weeks out, plus a trip to Bali for a wedding the week before. As it turned out my first leg out of the lock on Day 1 went well as I was able to cruise behind an SLR2 without expending too much energy. From then on, I knew I would be OK to get through the race even though I was only about 70% healthy. Andrew, motivated by friendly club rivalry with the other doubles, and fuelled by the worlds largest waffle from Loxton bakery, paddled a brilliant leg on Day 1 to keep us ahead of Naomi and Tony. He then repeated that on Days 2 and 3 with some super strong paddling legs. It was great fun and we managed to be the fastest single relay team for the event.


Above: Day 1 Andrew ready to launch for start. Who said it was cold? (Photo Tony D - Keg)

Above: Day 3 Wade at beautiful sunrise start(Photo Andrew P)

Here are comments from the paddlers and landcrew (Christine) :-

Naomi – ‘Photos only capture the cold effort of this race; what they never quite snap are ghost-like movements of mist gradually lifting of a morning, paddling in the shadow of breathtaking cliffs, nor the taste of warm soup after working so hard - for the humbling awe of being in the grasp of this stunning river and then coming out the other end, one has to make the pilgrimage and feel it for themselves!’

Tony H – ‘Great scenery, weather, and company. By day 3, we were in great shape, and enjoying everything the river could throw at us (which wasn’t much this year). If only we’d been able to start the race as we finished it.’

Mark – ‘Andrew and I paddled in our new SLR2 with only a couple of training paddles. We were excited to go substantially faster but the lack of river flow this year meant we had similar times to last year. The first day was tough for us but it got better with each day which we never quite understand. Great to spend some time away with the LCRK crew.’

Muz – ‘As Mark mentioned, our expectations for a faster time than last year were high leading into the race as we were competing for the first time in our recently purchased SLR2. Although the trip across is long, it is easily managed in two sections, with a night in Hay and then a shorter drive the next day into the Riverland area. It would have been much nicer to have a little bit of flow in the river, nevertheless, it is a great event to be part of. The other competitors are friendly and the time together in the locks each day is quite unique.

The race caters for all levels of competitiveness whether you decide to do the full distance or team up in a relay. The Murray is a beautiful river to paddle, and it is a great way to see parts of Australia that you don’t see everyday.’

Keg – ‘A great weekend with great mates with a great club’

Duncan – ‘Spend a long weekend with your good mates paddling through pristine parts of the lower Murray River full of spectacular views, bird life, rosy red sunrises and lingering sunsets. Cool weather paddling at its best and offering a good range of distance challenges for the single or relay paddler’

Richard B – ‘Linden was fearing the cold, as she goes numb on a 15C day, so we now wonder if the cold is a Riverland myth. Definitely the long straights and cliffs are part of the magic, as are the pelicans and black swans.

The logistics of everyone sharing a lock ride together kept us feeling part of an organised race, and a great chance to converse with the LCRK crew. Otherwise we were tail end charley all the way after all three slower crews retired from the race. Early pre-sunrise starts, and post-sunset finishes are a bonus of being slow’

Lindon - 'First of all, the best part about the RPM was the gathering of LCRKers, and the way you stuck around at Morgan for us to come across the line, not to mention helped heft Kermie in and around. Thank you to you and all for that. Just wish we could have had a few more slow paddlers up the back with us rather than shunting them into the shorter courses. Don’t want to make people give up canoeing because they think they aren’t fast enough.

The race was well organised with minimal fuss. The weather was brilliant, the scenery superb.'

Tom – ‘The current wife and I returned to the RPM after a bit of a gap and a spill and withdraw the last time so some unfinished business but in a more stable but slower boat, Horizon Tourer. This was our 8th finish. With no flow in the river this year I found it tough going, especially on the first day. Good mild weather and not too much head wind. Big drive from Morgan to the Sunshine Coast after, for my son’s 40th so a big marathon all round.’

Christine – ‘It was a great Riverland as always. I can recommend camping at each checkpoint. It gives me the opportunity to meet up with locals. I go to every checkpoint to see Tom go past. It may seem onerous but although I am not needed often, the few times Tom has needed me it has been dire, a hole in his boat when he hit a tree and hypothermia when he fell in the water battling against strong winds. It would not have been such a successful event without the range of paddlers from Lane Cove.

Andrew P – ‘Kayaking is more about logistics than time on the water; the packing, washing, and drying seem almost endless. Riverland is not immune to this (given you need to get to South Australia), but there's something unique and special about waking up three days in a row, standing in the dark on the riverbank, and seeing familiar faces. As a bonus, if you're in a relay team, you've got a 50/50 chance of going to Loxton pie shop.’

Wade – ‘The enduring image I have in my mind is of Naomi and Tony about 500m ahead of me dwarfed by the magnificent high cliffs on the big left turn before the final straight into Waikerie on Day 2 on a beautiful sunny afternoon. The river is simply stunning in parts and is a must do for all marathon paddlers … and really it is not that cold’


Above: Day 3 - 2024 LCRK Team at the finish