Windsor paddler Renae Watkins produced a phenomenal display to take line honours in the 41st annual Hawkesbury Canoe Classic on the weekend.
Watkins was the first paddler to cross the finish line at the completion of the 111km journey from Windsor to Brooklyn, clocking an amazing time of 10 hours, three minutes and 45 seconds.
She smashed the previous open ladies record by an amazing 76 minutes and 45 seconds, covering the journey in an average of 11kmh, including stops.
After an illustrious career in representative basketball which she gave up to start a family, Watkins took up kayaking a few months prior to last year’s Classic, which she managed to complete in 131/2 hours, a far cry from the amazing 10:03.45s record she did this year.
Watkins had to juggle training with her school teaching and caring for two small children and a husband, travelling from Appin to Windsor three times a week for on water training besides fitting in two weight sessions two cross training sessions a week on her bike.
A total of 480 paddlers started the journey from Macquarie Park, leaving at 15 minute intervals from 4.15pm on Saturday afternoon, enjoying perfect conditions with a mild night a full moon and favourable tides, with many records predicted to tumble.
And Windsor paddlers didn’t disappoint, setting records in four classes besides Watkins’ amazing effort.
Liz Winn, who set a record last year and was also first in the Yukon Challenge, covering over 700km in three days in June this year, Paul Bourne, Bruce Goodall and Christine Lalor in the unrestricted mixed double, club president David Lunn and Greg Thompson in a K2.
The first paddlers to start were the Brooklyn or Bust division, which is made up of paddlers wishing to participate in the event without being in a race class.
Windsor was represented by 18 paddlers, including five first-timers – Sarah O’Connell-Brechen, Gareth Baker, Phil Whalley, Geoff Whitford and Clayton Norman – and all completed the gruelling event.
The other Windsor paddlers to complete the course were Rod Totten and son Chris in a double, Brian O’Sullivan and son Brendon, who have both contested 20 Classics.
Les Howard, a veteran of five Classics, had the misfortune to snap his footbar early in the race when in a prominent position, and although struggling, managed to get to Dargle before being forced to withdraw.
The other paddler who was forced out of the race with severe leg cramps was Lyle Mead.
He was well ahead of record pace when he went through Dargle in 3:29 but had to withdraw just past Lower Portland.
The Classic raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities,the principle one being the Arrow Bone Marrow Foundation.
Although Windsor is a relatively small club it has been very successful for a number of years.
This year they are having a number of “come and try” days and are endeavouring to attract some of the Hawkesbury’s local young people to the sport.
The Club is purchasing more boats and has approached Hawkesbury City Council regarding extra storage facilities.
Windsor holds races every Tuesday night during daylight saving,catering for all standards of paddler, with races starting at 6.30pm at Macquarie Park.
The next “ come and try ‘ day is Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday, November 6, at 4pm.
Interested people can contact secretary Warren Lopez on 4579 9202 or either of the coaches, Lyle Mead on 0403 932 348 or Mark Cuulter 0407 732 883.
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