Marathon paddling will appeal to people of all ages, who like to keep fit. It is low impact and great for a total body workout. Marathon racing can be over different distances, from as little as 5km, up to more than 100 kilometres. That’s why they call it ‘Marathon’!
The current season series information is listed on the EVENTS page.
The Paddle NSW Marathon Series is a series of races held throughout NSW and hosted by affiliated Clubs on their own waterways. It is a great way to meet new friends, paddle with mates and to see NSW in peaceful water surrounds. Marathon series events are held all over the state, taking paddlers to new towns or unexplored corners of well known cities. The Paddle NSW Marathon Series caters for paddlers of all ages and skills, allowing paddlers to choose from race distances of 5, 10, 15 or 20kms – and within time ‘divisions’ to suit their current experience.
Following the success of the Junior Marathon Series, all juniors are once again invited to compete on some of the state’s best waterways. The series will take place within the 2021 Marathon Series, allowing juniors to experience the thrill of marathon racing with age-appropriate distances and some great awards to recognise their achievements. To make it even better, Entry is free for juniors and accompanying paddlers who choose early bird entry.
Distances:
U/8 and U/10: 2km. All U/8 paddlers are required to paddle with an accompanying adult, and it is recommended for U/10s.
U/12: 5km
U/14 and U/16: 10km
U/18: 15km
The 5km and 2km juniors will start with the 5km divisional paddlers, 10km juniors will start with the slowest 10km start and 15km juniors with the regular 15km paddlers. These start groups are generally small and very welcoming. Juniors who want to paddle in shorter distances, please contact the marathon committee at marathon@paddlensw.org.au.
Races in the series:
Race 1: Penrith – Saturday 13th June 2021
Race2: Woronora – Saturday 26th June 2021
Race 3: Narrabeen – Sunday 25th July 2021
Race 4: Grays Point – Saturday 14th August 2021 (includes prizegiving)
Juniors wanting to compete in the series must enter their age category rather than the divisional category. Ages are determined as of December 31st, 2021, so a paddler who turns 13 in 2021 would be required to paddle U/14 rather than U/12. Doubles crews should enter in the age group of the oldest paddler.
| Age Division | Year of Birth | Distance |
| U/8 | 2013 and later | 2km + accompanying adult |
| U/10 | 2011, 2012 | 2km ± accompanying adult |
| U/12 | 2009, 2010 | 5km |
| U/14 | 2007, 2008 | 10km |
| U/16 | 2005, 2006 | 10km |
| U/18 | 2003, 2004 | 15km |
Juniors are welcome to paddle in whatever craft they’re comfortable in, and doubles entries are also strongly encouraged. More advanced juniors who wish to paddle in faster divisions or longer distances as part of the marathon series may continue to do so. In addition to regular Marathon Series points, they will earn a fixed 48 points towards the junior series in their age class, along with being recognised for series participation. Points scored in each race of the series will count towards the end of season score and the ultimate female and male winners in each age category.
Entries: https://paddleaustralia.azolve.com/Workbench.mvc/Show/6?subCategory=Marathon&category=Competition
If you have any questions about the Paddle NSW Junior Marathon Series, please feel free to email the marathon committee at marathon@paddlensw.org.au. We look forward to seeing you on the water!
2018 Awards and Divisional Winners (pdf)
Individual Races
Race 2, Wagga Wagga (24/02/2018)
Race 5, Lane Cove (22/04/2018)
Marathon State Championships, Gray’s Point (12/05/2018)
Singles
Doubles
Race 6, Mylestom, Pacifica (09/06/2018)
Race 8, Narrabeen (15/07/2018)
The NSW Ultra Series first took place in 2019 and incorporated five races of increasing distance around the state. In 2021, this will expand to six races, offering paddlers unique challenges and the opportunity to race on some of Australia’s most beautiful rivers.
| Name | Distance | Level |
| James Pralija | 424.3 | 5 |
| Ruby Ardren | 414.9 | 4 |
| Peter Fitzgerald | 319.6 | 3 |
| Brodie Cambourne | 303.9 | 3 |
| Jeff Hosnell | 288 | 2 |
| Duncan Johnstone | 288 | 2 |
| Don Johnstone | 282 | 2 |
| Richard Barnes | 280.2 | 2 |
| Gareth Stokes | 258.5 | 2 |
| Greg Smith | 258 | 2 |
| Frank Kingma | 258 | 2 |
| Deb Buchan | 253.8 | 2 |
| Richard Fox | 252 | 2 |
| Trevor Nichols | 244.4 | 1 |
| Anne Moore | 233.4 | 1 |
| Wade Rowston | 219.3 | 1 |
| Barton Bennison | 219.1 | 1 |
| Annette Boath | 211 | 1 |
| Stephen Routley | 209.7 | 1 |
| Charly Wellard | 203.4 | 1 |
Female Double: Anne Moore/Charly Wellard
Female Single: Ruby Ardren
Male Double: Duncan Johnstone/Jeff Hosnell
Male Single: James Pralija
Mixed Double: Frank Kingma/Annette Boath
