A competitive field of 107 paddlers descended on Macquarie Park, Windsor on Saturday morning for Race 4 of the Paddle Australia Marathon Series, delivering an impressive display of endurance and skill on the Hawkesbury River.
Competitors across 13 divisions took to the water in staggered starts from 9.30am, tackling distances ranging from 5km through to the gruelling 20km course. Divisions 1 to 7 faced the longest challenge, while other categories, including stand-up paddleboard competitors, raced over shorter but still demanding distances.
The standout performance of the day came from James Harrington, who powered through the 20km Division 1 course in just under one hour and 34 minutes. His effort included three portages — sections where competitors must exit the water and carry their craft approximately 80 metres before re-entering the river — adding an extra layer of difficulty to the race.
The fastest female paddler was Naomi Johnson, also from Lane Cove, who crossed the line in a strong time of 1 hour and 43 minutes.
Local clubs were well represented among the winners, with Penrith and Windsor paddlers celebrating multiple podium finishes. Penrith’s Jason Ware claimed victory in Division 2, while Jim Bowman and Sam Parsonage secured wins in Divisions 11 and 12 respectively.
Windsor also had reason to celebrate, with Leslie Howard taking out top honours in Division 8.5.
Other strong performances from local paddlers included second-place finishes for Matthew Lowe in Division 3 and Greg Thompson in Division 6, while Martin Muhlmann secured third in Division 4.
Division winners on the day were:
- Division 1: James Harrington (Lane Cove)
- Division 2: Jason Ware (Penrith)
- Division 3: Don Johnston (Lane Cove)
- Division 4: Mark Moro (Sutherland Shire)
- Division 5: Graham Seery (Sutherland Shire)
- Division 6: Phil Newman (Lane Cove)
- Division 7: Ian McGuinness (Sutherland Shire)
- Division 8: Anthony Dartnell (Manly Warringah)
- Division 8.5: Leslie Howard (Windsor)
- Division 10: Johnny Lucas (Brisbane Waters)
- Division 11: Jim Bowman (Penrith)
- Division 12: Sam Parsonage (Penrith)
- Division 13: Jessie Williams (Manly Warringah)
- Stand-up Paddleboards: Florian Rouyer (SSC)
The event once again highlighted the Hawkesbury’s reputation as a premier destination for paddle sports, attracting competitors from across New South Wales and beyond.
A full list of results is available online.
The Paddle Australia Marathon Series is a national-level paddling competition that features long-distance races in kayaks and canoes. It serves as the premier marathon paddling circuit under the governance of Paddle Australia, highlighting endurance, strategy, and technical skill across varying Australian waterways. The 2026 season continues to attract elite and recreational paddlers from around the country.
The series typically comprises multiple marathon events held across different Australian states and territories. Each event contributes to overall rankings that determine national standings for athletes and clubs. Races vary in distance and include both singles and doubles categories, often covering up to 30 kilometers depending on division and age class.
The Paddle Australia Marathon Series serves as the main pathway to selection for international representation, including the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships. It also promotes grassroots participation and regional development, linking local paddling clubs through standardized competition and points systems.
For 2026, the series maintains its traditional mix of championship and regional races, with venues chosen to showcase diverse river and lake conditions across Australia. The season calendar is expected to culminate with the Paddle Australia Canoe Marathon Championships, which determine national titles and international team selections.
The event series emphasizes inclusivity, featuring age-group, masters, para, and junior divisions. It is supported by volunteers, local clubs, and event partners, strengthening community ties within the Australian paddling ecosystem.
