Two Sutherland Shire residents are setting themselves up for a long hard weekend at the end of this month, when they tackle an overnight canoe and kayak race that is more than 100km long.
Robyn Bingle, 57, a medical receptionist from Bangor, and Deb Buchan, 61, Woronora Heights, who is retired, have teamed up to join fellow members of the Sutherland Shire Canoe Club in contesting the 111km Hawkesbury Canoe Classic.
Being held over the weekend of October 27-28, it starts in Windsor and finishes in Brooklyn.
While Robyn is a long-time paddler, having started at the age of eight, Deb is a relative ‘newcomer’ to the sport, having only picked up a paddle three years ago.
This is the first time they have paired up as a team, having started paddling together just two months ago in preparation for the big race.
This is Robyn’s third time in the Hawkesbury marathon, after acting as land crew for other club members. She says she wanted to challenge her capabilities – and loved it – but admits it takes a lot of work to stay fit enough for such a long event.
‘‘I paddle a lot of kilometres each week, plus I either walk or cycle for an hour each day, and do Pilates and yoga each day,” Robyn said.
“Having done it before, I’m quite confident about it and am really looking forward to it.
‘‘I don’t have any goals apart from trying my hardest and getting the best time possible – and encourage my new partner, and let her know everything is going to be okay.’’
While that new partner is a rookie to this race, she is no stranger to competing – and winning. Deb won her individual event at the NSW State Titles this year, and also took gold with husband Jeff in their doubles event – their first ever race together in a double kayak.
‘‘Like Robyn, it was land crewing for some of our friends in the club when they did the Hawkesbury that inspired me to give it a go,” Deb said.
‘‘I have been doing some long distances paddling with Robyn – 30km and 40km – as well as my individual paddling training and lots of walking.
“I’m feeling good, but there’s no doubt the distance, and actually paddling at night, in the dark, will be a challenge.
‘‘I keep telling Robyn my aim is to finish, but to do a good time is always the goal!’’
Aside from Robyn and Deb, the Sutherland Shire Canoe Club has another eight members contesting the big race, with several others providing land- based support along the route.
The women are following in the wake of one of the club’s most distinguished and well-loved members.
The late Joan Morison competed in the Hawkesbury race 26 times, the last at the age of 81 in a double with Richard Barnes from Sydney University Canoe Club.
More than 600 paddlers from across Australia have signed up to compete in the event, which was first run in 1977 and is the fourth longest annual canoe race in the country.
Aside from being a major challenge for the competitors, it has raised millions of dollars for medical research.
It will be a long weekend for all concerned. Many arrive around 10am on the Saturday morning to get themselves organised before all the safety checks and administration is taken care of.
That includes fixing glow sticks to the boats so each paddler can see the others on the water.
The first start is 4pm for dragon boats and six-man outriggers, to get them out ahead of the smaller craft. Then it’s a staggered start (every 15 minutes) for the entrants in every other category.
The fastest paddlers will be crossing the line at Brooklyn less than nine hours later, from around 3.30am.
The last finishers are likely to be the competitors on stand-up paddleboards who are expected to see the sun rise before they reach the finish line.