The Myall Classic Paddling Ultramarathon has never been an easy race, but with competitors facing gusty northerlies from the outset, this year's event proved particularly challenging.
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Close to 200 competitors from NSW, Queensland, Victoria and abroad, as well as a few from Gloucester, showed up for the annual event at Tea Gardens on Saturday, September 21, but some enjoyed more success than others.
"A number of competitors got tipped out of their boats," Paddling NSW president Bob Turner said.
"The wind was unrelenting."
In addition to the strong wind and the ensuing surface chop, competitors also had to deal with freshwater flowing into the Myall Lake as a result of the rain received on Barrington Tops during the week, which negated the benefits the tide would usually provide.
Despite this, a number competitors still managed to post strong times, with Manly Warringah's James Pralija recording his second win in as many years in the 47km open men's category, completing the course in just over four hours and 10 minutes.
He edged out Canberra's Andrew Burkett by 35 seconds, with fellow Manly paddler James Harrington coming in third.
South Coast paddler Brodie Cambourne was the fastest woman over 47km, recording a time of five hours and 30 minutes.
Taking on the competition for Duvall College from the University of New England were a couple of Gloucester paddlers, Jake Bird and Lachlan Howard. They finished in three hours, 48 minutes and 48 seconds landing them in second place for the men's doubles student challenge
Another Gloucester paddler to take on the challenge was Bernie Edstein, finishing up in a fraction over three hours and 27 minutes landing him in 12th position in the 27km men's open 50 years and over singles challenge.
Forster siblings Camden and Dylan Ceccato were the youngest male competitors at the event and did themselves proud in the 12km race.
Thirteen-year-old Camden finished 12th overall in the male singles and second overall in the juniors, recording a time of one hour and 42 minutes, while 12-year-old Dylan finished 16th overall in the male singles and 4th in the juniors.
They will now turn their attention to the National Age Championships in Tasmania in January 2020.
