Ten-hour Paddle May Be The Best Yet For Fund-raising
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday October 13, 1989
A record 570 entries are expected to compete in this weekend's annual Hawkesbury Canoe Classic, including several unusual boats.
The Classic, in its 13th year, is a 111km marathon paddle from Windsor to Brooklyn and this year a 20-man Dragon boat team will attempt the course.
More commonly associated with sprint distances, the Dragon boat makes a spectacular sight with 20 paddlers powering it through the water. However, whether the crew can finish the race, which often takes 10 hours or more, remains to be seen.
The fastest time ever set for the 111km Hawkesbury Classic was 7hrs 11min in 1985, when a champion K4 crew from Manly-Warringah Kayak Club powered down the river in near flood conditions.
Sydney University believe they may better that time this year.
The paddlers have modified an eight-man rowing scull into an eight-man kayak and the speed potential of the craft has not yet been determined.
Sydney University have included two of Australia's best marathon sportsmen, Rod and Dave Hislop.
Not to be outdone, the University of NSW has designed and built a nine-person kayak which is hinged because of its length.
* The Classic is a fund-raising event for the Multiple Sclerosis Society and race organisers hope to better the $60,000 contributed last year.
© 1989 Sydney Morning Herald