Achievements

100km Murray Marathon


Friday of the long weekend saw the Sea Dragons head off to the Riverland for the 2006 100km Murray Challenge. Four members had left earlier in the week to slowly cruise in the houseboats to our starting point in Loxton (no need to twist arms for volunteers!!!)
First port of call was Morgan where we all met and enjoyed a great pub meal before loading ourselves and assorted bits of luggage onto the bus for the trip to Loxton. Those with cars followed the driver to the slipway so vehicles were there for our return. Learnt later that all had parked on the wrong private property (owner came home to see all the cars and thought his wife had organised a surprise party!!!!) Journeyed to Loxton where we boarded our 2 houseboats. Our numbers consisted of 18 paddlers, 1 sweep and 3 roadies and despite the odd 'spring chicken', the average age of our crew was 53.2 yrs ..go crew!!!!!
Settled in and over drinks, final plans were laid for the next 3 days.

Saturday saw us all up and about rearing to go. Sustenance in the form of eggs and bacon on the BBQ was splendidly cooked by chef Jeremy and his cohorts Nick and Dave. First timers to the paddle were quietly apprehensive only able to imagine what the day would bring.

Due to start the days paddle at 0900 saw us warming up in rather chilly weather checking out the skies. Skipping with an imaginary rope brought out some incredible athleticism that we hadn't seen from some members before!!!
The skies cleared and weather improved as the crew put in a mighty effort of great teamwork to complete the 37km in very good time.

The cheer squad and houseboats were a very welcome sight though, with food and hot showers a close second.

Afternoon was spent meandering down the river, listening to music, socialising and enjoying a drink or two or three.........Dusk saw us berth and set up for the night. Bonfire, BBQ and relaxed evening of tall stories and laughs around the fire followed.

Everybody up next morning - enthusiasm a bit dulled in some perhaps!! Only 26 km, but for some it seemed a harder day of paddling. A head wind some of the way made the distance seem longer and one of the strokes had to convince herself that no.. everybody else had not stopped paddling!!!!!

Afternoon saw us lining up for a massage on rotation....again.....again.....and again. Thanks to the best masseur, Liz. Forget putting on the Paris perfume, tiger balm and deep heat was the scent of the moment. Enjoying the Murray still a pleasure as we slowly continued downstream. Discovered Bec and Julianne's success in catching fish which no-one else had achieved!!!!!!

There was a bonfire again that night with a pyjama party theme. To anyone who passed by we may have looked rather a strange lot partying around the fire. Face masks, curlers, boys in pink, flannelettes and uggies....warmth a priority too.....forget slinky and sexy!!!!!
Learnt THE RULE - if you don't collect wood for the fire..you don't get the satisfaction of throwing another log on. that was tough!!!!!

Third day saw us eager to complete the challenge. Heading to the start line in the houseboats we looked rather a cohesive team as we executed a somewhat stylish aerobics warm up at the front of the boat to 'Let me entertain you'.. some Robbie motivation???
We lined up with the Blackdragons this time, who were also participating. Previously we had started at different times, each racing the clock. Well 31km of racing brought out tactics, motivation and great team work. The encouragement of everyone for others in the boat was supportive and inspiring. Those massages must have helped too!!!

Despite happy passersby in various craft who seemed to think we could stop and wave while they took photos..not to mention having to then manouevre through their wash, we powered on with lifts that brought us finishing the distance with speed and strength. Finishing ahead of our opposition by a couple of minutes earnt us the gold medal as our overall times put us in 1st place. Not quite a record time but 2nd fastest time in the club's history of racing in the event.

It was certainly a great weekend of friendship, teamwork and achievement. The camaraderie and social interaction made it a fun time even though we also had a purpose. Thanks go to the few people who organised everything. It was all oustanding.
Well done to all - Chris, John, Pete, Julie S, Liz, Julie K, Charlotte, Nick, Jeremy, Jane, Kris, Anne, Colin, Jan, Angela, Ken, Gabby, Dave, Jack (our oldest paddler at just over 70) and our excellent roadies Joe, Bec and Julianne.

P.S. Let us not see a 2km blue distance marker for a good while yet!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anne Cuthbertson, ADR Sea Dragons (who is no longer a 'Murray' virgin)