Maroochy River Paddle 2023
Any race that runs entirely with the current is a great race, but what makes the Maroochy River Paddle extra special is the range of craft that enters; this year 170 paddlers turned up on the morning racing in 104 boats. Although it features as a k1 race (being flat water) there were k2 kayaks, ocean skis (single and double,) spec skis, out riggers from singles up to oc6’s, sups, a dragon boat, and even a recreational ski all racing down the river in their individual classes and against each other for the overall bragging rights.
Last year I had a pretty average race, and with my current form and fitness leading up to this years race I wasn’t expecting much different.
I surprised myself at the start but getting in the front bunch which I stuck with for about 4.3kms. I then made a silly mistake where despite telling myself I wouldn’t take the lead I found myself doing just that when it felt like the group pace was dropping. There was a wave of ski paddlers that started 5 minutes before us and knowing that there were some really fast paddlers in that wave I didn’t want to simply stay in front of my wave but try to cut the time down on the paddlers in front.
My lead wasn’t very long but shortly after taking it one of the other paddlers made a push out wide on the right, I managed to join him and the rest of the group on the wash but I was pretty blown and had to stop to catch my breath. I recovered quicker than I expected and kept the front group in my sights for most of the remaining 17km course finishing 4th in my wave and out of the singles with just one k2 getting to the line ahead of all of us.
Overall I was happy with the result but disappointed that I didn’t stick with the front bunch the whole way, lesson learned for next time.
As usual, I paddled in my sharkskin shirt and pants with my Gara paddle and filmed using my Insta360 camera.