Join the Burley Griffin 24hr Paddle Challenge

In a grand finale to the somewhat truncated 2020 Ultramarathon Series, Burley Griffin Canoe Club invites paddlers to the annual Burley Griffin 24-hour Paddle Challenge on November 28th – 29th. Whether you choose to take on the challenge solo or as part of a team, paddling a kayak, canoe, ski or SUP, join the crowd at Molonglo Reach, Campbell ACT for a day and a night of fun and camaraderie.

Entries via Webscorer
Early bird entries close 11:59pm, Sunday 22nd November
Final entries close 11:59pm, Wednesday 25th November

Sunset over Molongolo River (Photo: Wade Rowston, LCRK)

Course: 4.7 km loop course on the Molonglo River
Briefing: 9:30am Saturday 28 November 2020
Start Time: 10:00am Saturday 28 November 2020
Finish Time: 10:00am Sunday 29 November 2020

Full event information on the BGCC website

New in 2020, you can choose to paddle for the full 24-hours, or 16-hours with a break from 10pm to 6am. Paddlers who have entered the 24-hour event can choose to drop from this to the 16-hour event by advising the organisers before 8:00pm on Day 1 of the event.

Allowable craft: Kayak, Canoe, Ski and SUP.

Solo – one single or double canoe, kayak, ski or SUP with a single paddler or 2-person crew for the entire event

Team – a relay of paddlers rotating over the period of the event:
– ‘Competitive’ with up to 4 paddlers using single-craft or 8 using double-craft, in one or more canoes, kayaks, skis or SUPs
– ‘Recreational’ with up to 8 paddlers using single craft or 16 using double-craft in one or more canoes, kayaks, skis or SUPs

See Webscorer page for restrictions on Junior paddlers, who may enter the 16-hour event.

Note: Both Solo and Team entries will need a team name when registering. Paddlers on a team must use the identical team name when registering!

COVID-19 Safety: This event must be COVID safe. All participants and spectators must abide by social distancing and all other Government restrictions applicable at the time of the event. Burley Griffin Canoe Club will be restricting use of the clubhouse facilities. More information will be distributed closer to the event when the COVID situation is known.

Paddler Safety: A safety boat will be stationed at the start/finish area. However paddlers are responsible for their own safety and the safety of anyone in need of assistance on or in the water. When on the water, paddlers must at all times have a pea-less whistle readily available to relay a message along the river that the safety boat is needed. Any time spent assisting a paddler in difficulty will be allowed for.

Night-time safety – 7:30pm to 6:00 am: All paddlers starting a lap after 7:30pm must wear a lifejacket with a torch and whistle attached. All paddlers must have lights on stem and stern of their craft. Cyalumes will be provided for all craft. Paddlers starting a lap after 6:00am may choose not to wear a life jacket, but must consider safety factors such as fatigue when doing so.

Amenities: The BGCC club-shed has male and female toilets and showers. Molonglo Reach has public toilets and a free public barbecue. The club-shed kitchen has a fridge, microwave oven, kettle and pod-coffee machine. No catering provided, but cafés and supermarkets are not too far away. Use of the kitchen area is currently restricted to 4 people at any time; the board room to 8 people; male change room to 3 people; and female change room to 2 people. Social distancing applies.

Camping: Camping is not permitted at Molonglo Reach, however ‘shelter tents’ are – so nothing too elaborate please! There will be designated shelter tent areas, so please do not set up camp just anywhere. Cars must not be taken onto grassed areas – park in the carparks only!

Given restrictions on use of the clubhouse, it will be even more important that paddlers bring shelter tents and other equipment they require.

Burley Griffin Canoe Club looks forward to seeing you!

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