Around 200 paddlers braved Saturday’s brisk weather to contest round five of the 2016 PaddleNSW Marathon Series held on the Woronora River.
Hosted by the Sutherland Shire Canoe Club, there were 201 paddlers and 177 boats registered for the event, which offered, five, 10, 15 and 20km runs, all starting from the Bonnet Bay boat ramp and turning just downstream of The Needles, behind Engadine.
Division one, for the fastest competitors, was won by Sasa Vujanic (Cronulla Sutherland Kayak Club), covering the 20km in one hour, 30 minutes and 11 seconds. Dean Blanche (unaffiliated) was second and Wayne Dunbar (Manly) third.
SSCC president Steve Dawson was obviously heavily involved in organising the day, but managed to finish 10th in division two, in his first event since being promoted from division three.
The oldest paddler on the day was SSCC’s Bert Laurendet, 84, second in division 12 over the five-kilometre trial with a time of 34m12sec behind clubmate Coralie Burns (33m18sec), while the youngest paddler was Hayley Dunbar, aged seven, from Manly, who took just under an hour (54m05sec) to complete the same distance.
“The blustery conditions slowed everyone down, even the elites,” Dawson said.
“But it was a great day and an excellent turn-out. And despite the intensity of the racing, all the paddlers continue to be impressed by the beauty of the Woronora River area, so I’m confident the event should continue to grow in popularity in coming years.”
Other stars from the local area who did well in the elite division were Stewart O’Regan (St George Kayak Club) who was sixth and Michael McKeogh (CSKC) who was 10th.
The club has hosted marathon events since it was founded 44 years ago – it is older than PaddleNSW, the sport’s governing body in this state, and the Marathon Series.
Last year there were 203 boats on the water, which was a record turn out for Woronora and for the Greater Sydney area, so last weekend’s turn-out was almost as impressive, especially given the weather forecast.
Paddlers came from around Sydney as well as Wollongong, Newcastle and Canberra.
Other results:
Division three (20km): from CSKC, Montannah Murray (4th), Bob Hodge (7th) and Kevin Morton (8th).
Division four (20km): from SSCC, Ross and Robyn Bingle (8th) and Jeff Buchan (9th).
Division five (20km): from SSCC, John Denyer (2nd), Kate Dawson (8th) and Greg Archibald (10th).
Division six (20km): from SSCC, Brian Willett (4th).
Division eight (15km): from CSKC, Gary Hancock (1st), Ian Purves (3rd) and Lorraine Harper-Horah/Dallas Newman (9th). Kristy Benjamin from SSCC finished 10th.
Division nine (10km): from CSKC, Franz Lauenstein (4th) and Sue Hobbs (5th). Ian and Suzanne McGuinness from SSCC finished sixth.
Division 10 (10km): from CSKC, John Hobbs (1st). From SSCC, John Mollard (2nd), Bruce Sherlock (6th) and Kevin Nettle (7th).
Division 11 (10km): from CSKC, Ellis and Carol Kirkman (2nd) and Kevin Newton (5th). From SSCC, Michael Rees (6th).