But all is not lost; the annual Ben Ward Memorial 40 Miler Canoe Race, a 63km paddle from Yarrawonga to Cobram, has offered students the opportunity to challenge their endurance on the Mighty Murray River. This event, which was held in early December, also saw the introduction of the Murray Triple Crown with the inclusion of two separate relay races on Sunday.
The Yarrawonga Mulwala Canoe Club junior girls joined nearly 100 students, parents and teachers who were involved in the event.
Nikita Carroll and Zoe Schweda successfully completed the full 63km paddle down the river from Yarrawonga to Cobram in around six hours, and Kristi Hardman completed 46km of the 63km.
All three girls returned on Sunday for the relay races, the challenge was to participate in all three races. There were three juniors successful in doing this with Nikita and Zoe being two of them.
On Sunday, the girls were the standout juniors, winning both events.
“I found that the mental aspect of the Ben Ward was at some point more challenging than the physical,” Zoe said.
“Next year, I plan on bringing music because six hours on the water became quite tedious.”
It was not only students who took advantage of the timing of this event, teachers were also involved with YMACC club members, and Wangaratta Teacher Anne Harris was the only open woman to complete all three events.
YMACC Coach Tim Roadley said it was an amazing achievement for all the girls.
“In tough and hot conditions, they paddled by far the furthest they have ever done before, and up against girls that have competed at national championships and represented Australia at World championships. They should be so proud of what they have accomplished,” Tim said.
If anyone would like to learn how to paddle, whether it is for a challenge like this or just to have fun on the water, the canoe club will be holding come-and-try sessions on the Yarrawonga Yacht Club lagoon starting on Wednesday, January 17.
