Deniliquin team members joined the large group of people taking part in Moama's smoking ceremony.
Another Massive Murray Paddle has come to an end, with a local group of paddlers among those to take part in the five-day, 415km race.
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After arriving in Moama on day three, participants were treated to a spectacular welcome.
Teams and individuals set out in waves from Picnic Point early on Wednesday morning and started filtering into the finish line from about 2pm, the crowd of competitors and spectators building as more vessels came ashore.
About 2.30pm Uncle Rick Ronnan performed a Welcome to Country for the gathered competitors.
Uncle Rick himself competed in the previous incarnation of the Massive Murray Paddle, the Murray Marathon.
Shannon O’Brien, who is managing director of event organisers Sydney Harbour Kayaks, said it had been an ideal start to the 2024 edition.
“Weather-wise, (it's been) perfect, everyone's in good spirits,” he said.
“The river’s at a super level, so it's been fast ever since Yarrawonga, which is great.”
The event finished in Koondrook on Friday.
The paddle began on Monday in Yarrawonga, with paddlers travelling through to Tocumwal.
Due to flooding between Tocumwal and Picnic Point, day two saw a repeat of day one’s route.
Crafts then set off from Picnic Point for Wednesday’s day three.
Wednesday was also ‘Be Bright, Be Seen’ day, which saw paddlers don colourful outfits to promote safety through visibility on the water.
Thursday saw crafts continue the race from Moama Beach, on their way to Torrumbarry before the final and longest day saw competitors heading from Gunbower to Koondrook on Friday.
The new finish line was instituted several years ago, but this is the first time the race will actually make use of it.
“We made the decision early on in COVID (to cancel) and then that next year got bumped after we made the decision to change,” Mr O’Brien said.
“Then one flood went to two floods, and so we’ve been talking about it for so many years, and now it's (happening).
“The (land) access is in great shape, which is important, and the river is beautiful.”
Deniliquin’s team consisted of Deniliquin High School and Echuca-Moama students, supported by teachers, the Deniliquin Local Aboriginal Land Council and Murray River Police District.
They had been fundraising for the Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group along the way.
We’ll have a full report from the Deniliquin team in Friday’s edition.
Uncle Rick Ronnan performed a Welcome to Country at the Massive Murray Paddle.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
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