The 55th Massive Murray Paddle finished on Friday in Koondrook having started four days earlier in Yarrawonga on Monday, November 18.

Top athletes from all over Australia, New Zealand and the USA competed, along with at risk Indigenous youth paddling in teams following the Dungalayin Mileka Team model. The model saw youth paddle in double kayaks with a member of Victoria Police, and has now been followed with two more teams entering, with a total of 85 Indigenous kids now taking part across three strong teams.

Mike Kellogg, competing in Canoe Brothers Racing, had travelled from the US state of Michigan to compete alongside James Miller from Korumburra Victoria.

“I’ve been here for six weeks, and I did a race my first week here with another friend. Other than that, I’ve been just seeing the sights and all the wild animals, and did some camping. I kept busy the whole time,” said Mike.

“We were talking in the canoe, what’s the highlight? And I really don’t have one highlight. I have so many of them. I can’t say, oh, this was the one thing. There’s so many things on this trip.”

Mike met James when some Australians travelled to the USA to compete, with Mike deciding to return the favour travelling down under.

“The rivers here are bigger – bigger and deeper. Ours are a lot more technical, twisty. But other than that, it’s water flowing downstream.

“You have to do more paddling here, it’s a bit slower than ours.”

Mike and James had achieved the fastest time overall, and James shared what it takes to compete at this level.

“A lot of training, I do a lot of races throughout the year, and paddle once or twice a week.

“It’s all relative though, the harder you train, the harder you go. If you train less, you don’t go as hard, but it still hurts just as much.”

Training also includes getting in sync with your partner in the boat.

“We had a boat run past that nearly tipped us out. Because we have been paddling a bit together, we didn’t tip out,” said James.

“I don’t know how!” added Mike.

“It does help when you get to know your partner,” said James.

I did ask the boys on passing etiquette and the message was simple – slow down and attempt to reduce your wake, something the boat earlier hadn’t done.

Transport for NSW was a major sponsor for the event, which continues to promote the government’s important on-water safety messages.

In the seven years that the event has been under current management it has raised $1.1 million for a variety of worthy causes.

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 28 November 2024.