COMPETITORS in the Massive Murray Paddle were aided by high river levels and a moderate current heading to the finishing line on Friday.
Conditions were fine and calm when the paddlers left Murrabit on the last stage of the 404-kilometre, five-day canoe and kayak Murray River race from Yarrawonga downstream to Swan Hill five days later.
The 2016 event was the first time the event’s paddlers were be able to choose their own charities or social causes to raise funds for.
The event began in 1969 with a few friends organising a fund-raiser for the Australian Red Cross, who then managed the event as a major fund-raiser. After running the marathon for 40 years, the Australian Red Cross handed over the event to YMCA Victoria, who conducted the event from 2009 to 2015.
This latest marathon was organised by kayak and canoe firms, Sydney Harbour Kayaks and Mirage Sea Kayaks.
The tagline encompassing the event is ‘Connecting People, River and Country’, the organisers using the event to assist those in need and educate on the original culture and importance of the river.
