The 2024 Massive Murray Paddle is taking place this week, with Moama serving as an important checkpoint on competitors’ journeys.
The 415km five-day race took a pit stop at Moama Beach on Wednesday, the checkpoint for day three.
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.
Managing director of Sydney Harbour Kayaks, which organises the event, Shannon O’Brien said it had been an ideal start to the 2024 edition.
“Weather-wise, (it's been) perfect, everyone's in good spirits,” he said.
“River’s at a super level so it's been fast ever since Yarrawonga, which is great. Tomorrow through to Torrumbarry will be pleasant, and then we get to do our brand-new day five, which we've never done before, through Gunbower.
“People are really excited.
“Even though it's 95km they're ecstatic because it's so new, so pretty and such an important part of the region.
“Then finishing in Koondrook, the town’s ready for us and excited that they get a big event finishing there which is nice.”
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 setting 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 will see 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,” 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.”
The day three line honours went to a craft representing the Dungalayin Mileka team, which features members of Victoria Police partnering up with Indigenous youth.
Find more coverage from the Massive Murray Paddle in the Riverine Herald next week.