SWAN HILL and other small river communities are set to be the winners when the Massive Murray Paddle event undergoes an overhaul before next year’s event.
YMCA will hand over the reins of the event to a new independent entity, Mirage Kayaks.
The Sydney based Kayak company will implement some changes to ensure the spirit of the event remains in-tact for the hundreds of Victorians who compete each year.
Shannon O’Brien, co-owner of the family owned business’ Mirage Kayaks and Sydney Harbour Kayaks, said the river’s indigenous history will also be included in next year’s event.
“We were in Swan Hill for this year’s race completion and met with Aboriginal elders and discussed the importance of the river in regards to their heritage,” he said.
“We have their blessing to proceed with incorporating some of the dreamtime stories relating specifically to the river.”
The biggest change will be where the funds raised by paddlers will go.
Currently, YMCA have used the funds to assist the broader YMCA umbrella, but the new structure will see teams that register for the event nominate their own choice of recipient, with funds raised remaining local and assisting smaller communities.
“We believe that helping smaller communities in small ways is just as effective and valuable as sending all the funds to one big benefactor,” Mr O’Brien told The Guardian.
“The event has always been about the spirit of paddling for a cause, we believe that each competitor should paddle for the cause that motivates them.
“We would also like to see the focus be on the kayaking. My company is representative of the kayaking industry and so we will be looking at promoting this as a premier event on the kayaking circuit as well as keeping true to the original race 49 years ago which was about giving to the Red Cross.”
This year’s event came to a close in Swan Hill on Sunday as 250 competitors crossed the finishing line.
The event, which commenced a day late in Tocumwal due to severe weather warnings for the scheduled start in Echuca, saw paddlers face fierce head winds in excess of 40 kilometres on day two.
Winners were decided for different classes, with the fastest overall accolades going to Team Scotty and Foxy.
Fastest single craft honours went to Martin Buissink who also took out The Margaret Baker Handicap and third place for fastest overall.
Scotty and Foxy swooped the double craft prize also, while Team Lily took first place in the constituted craft class.
The event was a huge success according to YMCA communications specialist, Laura Munns, but she noted the success was measured by effort and contribution rather than funds raised or race speeds.
“There was a huge network of over 200 volunteers in total who gave their own time to help in multiple roles,” she said.
“From race volunteers, management, land patrols and much more, the effort of the volunteers was the highlight for me.”
