Last month I went to watch the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic with a couple of great friends. It was a lovely Spring afternoon / evening and a great excuse to hang out next to the river and share some bubbles and a few nibblies.
The Hawkesbury classic is a grueling 111km paddle from Windsor to Brooklyn that leaves on Saturday afternoon and finishes sometime on Sunday morning depending on how fast you can paddle.
The fastest time this year was Peter Fitzgerald in 9hrs and 42 minutes. Thats an average speed of 11.44 km/h. Mind boggling!
There are around 600 craft who leave Windsor in 15 minute intervals from 4pm. The only restriction on the craft is that it has to be unsinkable and forward paddled. There is everything from stand up paddle boats to dragon boards, super sleek craft to novelty entries.
I have great respect for each and every one of them who set off from Windsor and then paddle through the night whether they make it to the end or not what an achievement. It’s also a charity event raising much needed funds each year for medical research.
More photos on Facebook Page: Liz Hemmings Photography