Swallow Rock Marathon

The Busters Team saddled up the trailer and headed down to the Hacking River for a 10am start at Swallow Rock. Conditions had been forecast to be very windy, and the Audley weir was closed due to flooding from torrential rain overnight. However, even though it was very windy, most of the course was partially protected, because of aspect, from the southerly.

On the water today for Southside Paddlers and competing for her first time in a marathon event was Hannah. Fantastic effort finishing in 1 hour and 9 mins in Division 9. Hayleigh now has to be called 3 from 3, as she continues her winnng form and lowering her pb by over 1.30 secs of 58.23.24 and Alex posting her 2nd fastest time in the series at 1.1.38 and staying on the podium.

Division 8 saw our three entrants finish 1, 2,3. Michael again claiming first place and he still remains in first place overall for all the paddlers in the Marathon series. Mitchell, on debut, was a close second and Holly was third, she is now allowed to go on the 40 hour famine. ! Good luck Holly. We did miss out having Andrew compete today, hope to see you return to the next marathon fighting fit.

In Div 7, Emma Thomson competed in her first marathon competiton for this season in the 15k race and finished 2nd.

Div 2, Arnold set off and paddled very strongly 95% of the race, just dropping off the lead pack in the home run into the wind for a 5th today. Nick Dawe, who paddled in our club gear, but unfortunately was registered with Manly for the event,  claimed first place in Div 2, and won the event overall, not bad for a sprinter!

Also on the water but under mechanical power were Rod Smith and Luke Hagan in one of the safety boats called T2. Thank you for representing our club as officials in this race.

And due to another consistent set of results and placings from our club members, Southside is sitting in 3rd place, only 2 points behind Central Coast, a mere 50 points behind Windsor. Again, a simply outstanding effort considering we are such a small club, in our first year of competition and the age of our club members competing are so young compared with all the other clubs. This group of competitors struggle to get a combined team age of 150years.

Thank you to the Marathon committee and Cronulla Sutherland Kayak club for hosting the event today.

Photos will be added during the week.