Inland Outriggers: RedX the Movie.

Inland Outriggers: RedX the Movie.

RedX the Movie.

With the Murray River Canoe Marathon just around the corner it is a great time to revisit a masterpiece of film making by Cecil B Ramboski and his epic adventure RedX the Movie.

Murray Marathon Media Alert.

Murray Marathon to continue beyond 2008

Red Cross has announced that the YMCA will take over the iconic Aussie canoe adventure, the Murray River Marathon.

Red Cross announced in July that it would be ending its association with the Murray River Marathon following this year’s 40^th anniversary event scheduled to begin on Boxing Day. Today an announcement has been made that YMCA Victoria will officially take over the coordination of the event post 1 January 2009.

Red Cross Executive Director Victorian Division, Andrew Hilton, said Red Cross was pleased that the YMCA will take on the event.

“I am sure that the Murray River Marathon tradition will continue under the coordination of the YMCA,” Mr Hilton said.

“The marathon has had a long and successful history as an event that brings school groups, families and friends together not just from across the state, but from across the country and often across the world. It’s also an important event for local communities and businesses situated along the river.

“The Murray Marathon Committee has worked very hard for 40 years to make the event world famous.

“The decision to cease our association with the marathon was a very difficult one for the organisation to make, so to know that the event will continue on into the future is a great result for all involved.

“We look forward to working with the YMCA during the transition period to ensure the Murray River Marathon continues to provide a memorable challenge for participants and supporters,” Mr Hilton said.

YMCA Victoria CEO, Peter Burns said today that the YMCA, an organisation committed to building strong people, strong families and strong communities and which shares the same founder as Red Cross – Swiss man Henry Dunant – was honoured to take over the event’s reins.

“The Murray River Marathon contributes significantly to rural and regional communities and we certainly believe that we can play a role in supporting and expanding this iconic event that fosters participation in an active and engaged lifestyle,” he said.

In the meantime, Red Cross continues to gear up for its biggest event in the history of the marathon with paddler registrations already well up on numbers recorded at the same time in previous years.

“We have made every attempt to make this year’s event a memorable and special occasion for all. We said we wanted to make the 40^th a celebration and that will definitely be the case now that we are also celebrating a new era for a great Aussie tradition,” Mr Hilton said.

Media information: For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Shona Eland, YMCA Community Relations Manager on 03 9403 5055 or 0400 179 369, or Jacqui Pringle, Red Cross Senior Marketing and Communications Officer on 03 8327 7757 or 0448 571 484.

International Outlaw Open Water Race.

On behalf of the Geelong Outrigging Canoe Club we are extremely excited to incorporate Outlaw into the GOCC 2009 Regatta.

The Geelong Regatta, Vic Zones largest, is traditionally held over two days of the Australia Day long weekend as part of Skandia Geelong Week: Australia's biggest sailing event and recently named in the top 10 of Victoria's must do's. http://www.geelongweek.com.au

The inclusion of the Outlaw Open Water event on the Saturday, utilising the magnificent Victorian Surf Coast, we hope will establish the Geelong Regatta as a must do amongst all Outrigger paddlers nationally.

This year the opportunity exists to paddle with one of the world’s best Outrigger paddlers and many of Australia’s finest Ski paddlers on the Saturday and then compete on the Sunday in the OC6 Regatta (multiple events) on Corio Bay amongst the activities of Skandia Geelong Week.

Program of Events

Saturday 24th Jan: Victorian Surf Coast
Outlaw Open Water event
OC1 Clinic
Presentation & function

Sunday 25th Jan: Corio Bay Geelong
OC6 Regatta
Incl. Marathon & Short course
Presentation & function


More information to follow, PM me for early interest in the OC6 regatta.

Look forward to seeing as many interstaters as possible.

Best Regards

Chris McWaters
Secretary GOCC

Well I am locked in for the Kaua'i World Challenge, sold the fishing boat, gutting the home loan, taking the Clarkie clan on a great adventure. Anyone else interested in going? Trying to talk Rambo into it. The solo race will be the weekend after but not in my price range for a family trip. The site is not yet updated from last year so ignore the date on the photo attached. Butch assures me the date is locked in so I have paid the money. REMEMBER IT IS APRIL 11TH.

Inland Outriggers: Kaua'i World Challenge Safety Video.

Inland Outriggers: Kaua'i World Challenge Safety Video.

Kaua'i World Challenge Safety Video.

Crossing for Cancer.

In March next year a team of outriggers will paddle an OC6 canoe across Bass Strait to raise money to aid in cancer research and to honour two men. This will be the first outrigger canoe to make the crossing.Peter Corbishley has been building racing outrigger canoes in Australia for the past 20 years, he has made over 300 OC6 canoes and approx. 95% of the OC6 canoes being raced in Australia were built by Peter. He has made an enormous contribution to the sport here in Australia. After making canoes for many years in his factory in the Whitsundays Peter moved his operation down to Tweed Heads and it was here he finally picked up a paddle and began training and competing in the sport he has contributed so much to.Earlier last year Peter was diagnosed with Non Hodgkinsons T-Cell Lymphoma a rare and terminal form of skin cancer. As a sign of respect and to honour Peter's contribution to the sport the plan is to paddle with Peter in one of the canoes he has made across Bass Strait. Peter will be part of the crew to raise awareness for cancer and to raise money in aid of Cancer research and to also prove that there is life after diagnosis.The trip is also being made in honour of Chris Robinson, a paddler and world renowned Greenpeace skipper and activist who sadly lost his battle with cancer this year. Chris devoted his life to protect the oceans from whaling activities, nuclear testing and exploitation. He learnt his skills in Bass Strait and participated in campaigns to give the Bass Strait Islands protected status. Chris was to be the skipper of the support vessel for the crossing. We will be joined for the crossing by his niece Prue Robinson also a champion paddler. For more information about Chris visit http://www.greenpeace.org/chrisWe are going to try and raise as much money as we can for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF) and this is where we need every bodies help. If you would like to make a donation fantastic. Also please let as many people as you can know about the crossing who you think would like to sponsor us. Think of people who work for big corporations or have friends or family that do. Big companies sometimes have special funds set up for these kinds of things. If you have any ideas about getting sponsors please share them with me. Think of your own clubs and their existing sponsors, think outside Australia, anybody associated with the sport in any way. I have made up a special PDF file outlining the trip and how individuals and companies can sponsor us and can send it to anybody who would like to use it to approach companies.I have also created a web/blog site that has all the information on the trip including sponsorship options. We'll use this site to update our fund raising progress leading into the trip and then keep everyone posted as we make our way across Bass Strait. The address is:http://crossingforcancer.blogspot.com/Rambo will be joining us to film the crossing and we'll hopefully make a small documentry about the trip.If you would like more information about the tip or can think of a way to help please let me know.If you would like to make a donation here is how you can do it.Send a cheque made out to ‘Crossing for Cancer’ and post it to:Colin Bartley17 Santavea Mews,Halls HeadWestern Australia6210or by direct deposit to:WestpacBSB: 734 070ACC: 680390CheersBarts

20 Beaches Classic Video.

Find more videos like this on Outrigger Paddlers

404km Murray River Canoe Marathon.

Many people will be aware that the Red Cross will host the 404km Murray River Marathon for the 40th and final year in 2008. A press release on 28th November, 2008 announces to the world the news that the race will continue. By amicable agreement YMCA will take over the hosting of the event from Red Cross and aim to rebuild the race to its former glory.

So don't panic if you could not make it for the final Red Cross race. Come along in 2009 and support the new hosts YMCA and paddle with me on this great adventure.

404km over five days from Yarrawonga to Swan Hill. As yet no dates have been confirmed for 2009 but it is hoped the race will still be run between Christmas and New Year!

Inland Outrigger Handicap Races.

If you find yourself on holidays in the beautiful city of Echuca on the banks of the mighty Murray River come and join in the fun of our handicap race. It is run by the Echuca/Moama canoe club and anyone can compete. Held over an out and back course, total of 6.8km, paddling upstream to a turning buoy then returning to the historic Port of Echuca Wharf and Paddle Wheel Park where the canoe club is situated.

Held during the warmer months during daylight savings time at 6pm on Wednesday nights.