Swallow Rock State Marathon Race Photos

6am20 Aug 2022

State Marathon Photos from Bobby Johnson

Here are a few photos from last Saturday’s State Marathon Race courtesy of club photographer and lens legend Bobby Johnson.

Here is a link to the online gallery which show over a 130 of Bobby’s great photos of the event

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Av4WWLMEqmarhMZuSeA3o2PrS1PuMw?e=lHJAxj

Marathon Race Certificate Presentation

It was so good to see this event being held at Swallow Rock again after 3 years & particularly having so many junior paddlers attending. The day was very successful on many levels & thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the event including all the participating paddlers.

Presentation photos courtesy of Gareth Stokes.

All Marathon Race Presentation

Club History

1966

From the outset the Club embarked on a range of activities including flat water slaloms, regattas, touring and racing and water safety training. In 1967 club members first tackled white water events and in subsequent years gained placings in the State and Australian Championships. On flat water the Lilli Pilli to Audley race, first paddled in 1966, was adopted in 1967 as the Club’s annual race.

1967

In the 1967/1968 season the club affiliated with the NSW Canoe Association and was instrumental in having Touring Class kayak races at the State Sprint Championships, leading to club members gaining many places at the 1970 State Championships. In fact, 1970 was a significant year for the club as, apart from the State Sprint Championships, club members travelled to Perth for the Australian Whitewater Championships. But locally the highlight was the staging with the assistance of the club of a race from Audley to Gunnamatta Bay as part of the Bi-Centenary Celebrations.

1970

The 1970’s was a period of growth in both membership and activities for the club. From a membership of 35 paddlers in 1967 the club had advanced to 115 active members by 1971. The emphasis on touring class kayaks gradually gave way to K1’s, leading to a very high standard of racing and the development of a number of Lilli Pilli paddlers, including one of those original Junior Scouts, into Australian representatives at the Olympics and World Championships. And for all the “ordinary” members of the club it provided a great social and sporting outlet.