Hawkesbury Canoe Classic 24-25 October 2026

The Hawkesbury Classic Paddle is a unique opportunity to pit yourself against the physical and mental hurdles thrown up by a 100km, overnight, paddle from Windsor to Mooney Mooney on Sydney's majestic Hawkesbury River.

Lane Cove River Kayakers is a longstanding supporter of the HCC with substantial experience amongst our paddlers. The Club always provides support at the event, and in the lead-up. The content below provides info for new & seasoned paddlers.

• 2026 ENTRIES (**OPEN** via webscorer)
• Hawkesbury Canoe Classic home page
• 2025 HCC photos on LCRK Flickr (all paddlers)
• 2025 HCC photos on LCRK Flickr (LCRK paddlers)
• 2025 Race tracker - active during race
• 2006-2018 Results Chart, 2019 Pace Guide
• HCC Facebook Chat Group
• HCC Flyover Video (6 minute version)
• LCRK's 2025 HCC REPORT
• LCRK's 2025 HCC Page
• LCRK's 2024 HCC Page

2026 LCRK Club Support

Start Times

• 16:00 (4pm) Brooklyn or Bust (Both Singles and Doubles), Sackville Sprint (30Km), All SUPs
• 16:15 (4:15pm) Wisemans Dash (60 Km), C14, DB20 and OC6's
• 16:30 (4:30pm) 100 Km Competitive Singles & Doubles

At Windsor - From 10am to 5pm

• LCRK Marquee for shade and meeting point
• Club shirts and caps for sale
• Issue paddler, start list and contact list
• Experts to offer advice, smiles and positive vibes
• Group photo 2:30PM (Be at the LCRK marquee at 2:25pm)
• Mandatory race briefing is at tba pm
• Marquee will be moved to Wisemans at 5:30pm

At Sackville - from 6:30pm until last LCRK paddler through

• Sackville stop point for LCRK 2026 is as indicated in the image and map below. Just around the corner from the boat ramp

Above: How to get there for paddlers

• Illuminated LCRK sign to identify our shared meeting point
• Shared land crew support in landing and re-launching each paddler
• Informal tracking of LCRK craft passing through
• Reminder to paddlers to "check out" at 2nd Sackville checkpoint

Above: How to get there for landcrew...

At Wisemans - from 8:30pm until last paddler through

• LCRK meeting point 40 metres downriver from main launching ramp (see photo above - look for the red electronic timing board used for our Time Trials)
• LCRK marquee with hot drinks and light refreshments.
• Informal tracking of LCRK craft passing through
• Club support for land crews in landing and re-launching their paddlers
• Reminder to paddlers to check out at 2nd Wiseman's checkpoint and turn RIGHT after leaving AND watch for the Ferry!

Above: Wisemans Ferry Support. Photo Jana O

Low Tide Pit-Stop

If you need a last stop on your down-river run and succumb to the "sirens", you will, as usual, be offered smiles, "mud angel" landing and re-launching services, sometimes "paddle through" service; fire for warmth; smiles; hot food and drink; and more smiles - this is not a club facility but a wonderful service volunteered annually to all participants.

2026 HCC 'Calculator'

LCRK is pleased to provide the Microsoft Excel based 'calculator' which will be preloaded with HCC 2026 Tides all the way up to Windsor and incorporating associated tidal and riverine flows (all other things being equal which they never are!!). To use, download the tool, open up Excel, and read the instructions:

1. Update your Windsor start time, your base speed, your stop times.
2. The calculator will then derive your ETA at respective checkpoints, including adjustments for current.
3. The course map (separate worksheet) will be automatically updated and can be printed out/laminated on a single A4 page for you &/or your landcrew.
4. How do you work out your base speed? See Tom Holloway's excellent article for more detail - he recommends assuming you paddle at 90% of your Time Trial speed. Stops are additional as are delays waiting for one or more car ferries. See this PDF.
5. Note that whilst there's a bit of science behind this tool - there are many other important variables in play including wind, river knowledge, ferries, swims etc - which can make the tool a bit of sideshow. Use the tool in conjunction with ALL your planning.

Download the 2026 calculator

Above: Calculator produces prepopulated map showing ETA's

Preparation Reading

General Advice

• Tips for First Timers by Paul van Koesveld
• Race Strategy by Rob Vallis
• Race Strategy by Graeme Jeffries
• Race Tactics 2013 by Tom Simmatt
• LCRK Seminar Takeaways 2013
• Race Rules by Roger Deane
• Pace Guide: How Fast Can You paddle the Classic by Tom Holloway
• 2006-2017 Results Chart, 2018 Pace Guide

Nutrition

• Classic Food by Ian Hofstetter
• Nutrition by Vitality Health Services
• Energy management for the Hawkesbury Classic by Phil Geddes

Clothing

• Race Clothing by Michael Mueller
• What to Wear by Tom Simmat

Stretching/Injury Prevention

• Basic Stretch Routine by Vitality Health Services
• Injury Prevention by Vitality Health Services
• Stretching Exercises by Matt Blundell

Landcrew Advice

• HCC Landcrew Talk by Alanna Ewin
• Tips For Landcrews by Justin Paine

Maps & Planning

• HCC in one section
• HCC in three sections
• HCC in 5km sections

Garmin GPX Track

• HCC LCRK 2026 Unzip, copy into your Garmin, and set to visible using garmin menu.

HCC - Current Class Record Holders

LCRK members past and present currently hold 40 class records.

HCC - The Whiddon Trophy (Fastest Time)

• 2009 Matt Blundell
• 2010 Matt Blundell
• 2023 Peter Manley and Brendan Trewartha 8:35:15
• 2025 James Pralija and Dmytro Medvedyev 8:18:58

HCC - Participation

(go to LCRK's 2025 Hawkesbury Classic Pages)