PADDLERS and Pelicans were the order of the day at the annual Myall Classic Ultramarathon in Tea Gardens last Saturday.

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280 competitors took to the river in what has become one of the most popular events on the NSW Paddle calendar.

Now in its 15th year, competitors ranged in age from 12 years to 76 years young.

“They actually go about the same speed,” Chairman of PaddleNSW Tony Hysteck told News Of The Area.

“Paddlers start off slow, speed up in the middle then slow again in later years, it’s a sport for all ages.”

This year’s event also attracted some first timers.

“Almost half of our entrants this year are university students practising for the Hawkesbury Classic next month.
“For many of them this is their first race.”

“There’s three distances, the 47 kilometre run which goes all the way up to Tamboi, then the 27 kilometre and the smaller 12 kilometre event,” Tony said.

The weather was a bit windy, but on the whole pretty kind to the paddlers and spectators.

“This is the fourth year in a row,’’ Tony said, “I don’t know how long our luck is going to hold out.”

PaddleNSW is a not-for-profit organisation and all money raised goes back into local community charities and services.

All results from the Myall Classic can be found on their website www.paddlensw.org.au.

By Margie TIERNEY