Big Deni Paddle

It will be held for the first time on March 12 and 13, and is a collaboration between Edward River Council and Paddle Group Australia.

A three-year agreement has been signed to help the event get established over 2027, 2028 and 2029.

The Big Deni Paddle will feature opportunities for competitive paddlers, recreational participants, families and first-time paddlers, creating a weekend that is accessible, welcoming and designed to celebrate the river and community.

Mayor Ashley Hall described it as “an exciting opportunity to showcase one of our region's greatest assets, the Edward River, to visitors from across New South Wales, Victoria and beyond”.

“Council is proud to partner with the pros at Paddle Group Australia to help establish a new signature event that supports local businesses, increases visitation and encourages more people to experience everything our region has to offer,” he said.

The Big Deni Paddle event director, Shannon O'Brien, described the Edward River as a sublime location for a paddle.

“There’s something special about exploring a place from the water, and the Edward River is a beautiful waterway to share.

We can't wait to bring people together for the Big Deni Paddle and introduce more paddlers to this fantastic part of the world.

“We see a real opportunity for this event to spark more paddling adventures across the region, bringing visitors into town, supporting local businesses and giving people a reason to return with a kayak on the roof.”

Promoted under the tagline ‘Float at Sunset. Race at Sunrise.’, The Big Deni Paddle has been designed to offer something for everyone, from seasoned paddlers chasing a competitive challenge through to families, social paddlers and visitors looking to experience the tranquility of the river at their own pace.

The event, set to grow year on year, is also intended to promote the wellbeing benefits of time spent outdoors, encouraging participants to disconnect from busy schedules and reconnect with nature, family, friends and community through shared river experiences.

A key feature of the event will be the recognition of the Edward River's identity as Kolety, including the flagship 15km morning race, the Kolety 15.

The naming celebrates the river's significance while creating a uniquely Deniliquin paddling experience.

Organisers are exploring opportunities to incorporate river safety awareness initiatives throughout the event, helping participants build confidence on the water while promoting safe and responsible enjoyment of local waterways.

They said as an anabranch of the Murray River, the Edward River offers a unique paddling experience and complements the broader network of paddling events held throughout the region.

Shannon O'Brien will be promoting a Save the Date announcement for The Big Deni Paddle through established paddling networks and at the upcoming Massive Murray Paddle, where many participants are already familiar with Deniliquin and its connection to river-based recreation.

The partnership with Edward River Council aims to create more paddling opportunities across the Murray region while attracting new visitors and encouraging repeat visitation to Deniliquin.

Council believes local businesses, community groups and stakeholders, including the Tourism Advisory Committee, will get behind the event and help establish it as a valued addition to Deniliquin's annual events calendar.

More information regarding ticketing, participation opportunities and sponsorship packages will be released in the coming months.