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Early April saw Garvey Park, Ascot transform into a buzzing hub of excitement. Flags waved in the breeze, food stalls popped up, and buoys dotted the river – a clear sign that something big was about to go down.
Trailers packed with kayaks rolled in from every corner of the country as paddlers reunited with old friends to get the war stories under way, including plenty of interstate trash talk as well. The stage was set for an unforgettable Nationals!
Thursday – It begins
The opening ceremony on Thursday morning kicked off with heartfelt welcomes from Whadjuk elder Kevin Fitzgerald and Belmont mayor Robert Rossi.
The pounding footsteps of visiting paddlers echoed through the crowd as they got a feel for the course and tackled the portage ramps.
The first races followed, a SUP Marathon and the Non-Champ Two-Lap, bringing medal-winning smiles to paddlers of all ages as the sun set over the river.
Friday – Intensity Day
Friday brought the high-intensity short course races, with fast-paced three-lap action that had spectators on the edge of their seats. The mixed doubles rounded out the day with a festive and fun vibe, showcasing the camaraderie of the paddling community.
Saturday – The Big Dance
Top paddlers vied for spots on the Australian team for the World Championships in Hungary this September.
Australian Women’s Marathon Paddler of the year Beck Mann maintained her magnificent record and the Men’s equivalent Josh Kippin had a good pack with him who he dropped after his second last portage to complete his 27km a good distance ahead. Good luck to both of them in Hungary, they will do us proud as they have done for a few years now.
Visiting New South Wales paddlers Daniela Angela Torre and Brett Greenwood featured on the podium and maintained their respective records as world class Masters Marathon paddlers.
The younger age groupings saw Nicci Vesely and Lily Farrell prevail for the women and Orlando Fonseca for the men. An excellent result from these promising young athletes.
Great work also from masters Lucinda Remilton of South Australia and WA’s own Dave Berglund and John Wilkie.
WA’s Gergely Balazs Nagy stands a good chance of representing Australia in his native Hungary in September in his canoe.
Gen Stanley, new to C Paddling got a medal, very well done!
Under 16 Para athlete Griffin Angelatos impressed, achieving silver in the doubles and gold in the Para. An incredible achievement, having only been in the sport six months. Welcome and well done Griffin!
Saturday was a marathon in every sense – a long, action-packed day capped off with a lively non-portage jamboree featuring 105 paddlers, then straight into medals which continued after the sun went down and the mozzies came up!!
Sunday – The Journey Ends
Sunday wrapped up the Nationals with doubles races, SUP Technical, and an inspiring and heartwarming display of senior doubles featuring Ray Smith and Joe Wilson in the 80+ category.
The day also saw last year’s organisers Cathy Venning with Lucinda Remilton and Marc Brehin with Dale Thomson adding medals to their collection. Some well deserved fun after a great event at Victor Harbour in 2024.
Brett Greenwood teamed up with WA’s Kelby Murray to secure Master’s gold, while Isabella Cen and Ellie Neervoort paddled their way to youth championship victory.
The open women’s double saw Beck Mann taking Genevieve Stanley for a winning paddle – could this be a partnership in Hungary? Bronwyn Martin and Lily Farrell worked hard to earn a selection and second place.
The SUP Technical races delighted spectators with thrilling obstacle course action, and cheers rang out for Tashka Goswell and Darren Pratt’s wins and a warm welcome extended to Singapore’s Daojia Ng, our only international competitor.
Closing ceremony
The Nationals closed with medals, thank-yous, and heartfelt appreciation for the incredible volunteers and organizers who worked tirelessly to make this event a success.
As the sun set over Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River), paddlers reflected on old friendships rekindled and new ones made. Nationals 2025 truly embodied the spirit of paddling.
A Heartfelt Thank You
On behalf of everyone at PaddleWA and the wider paddling community, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Doug Hodson, Event Coordinator for the 2025 Canoe Marathon National Championships.
Doug went above and beyond to deliver an incredibly successful event that showcased the very best of our sport. His dedication, attention to detail, and tireless efforts made this championship not only a logistical success but a celebration of community, competition, and Western Australian pride.
Thanks to Doug, this event is something WA can truly be proud of.
With the event being held in Canberra ACT next year, we hand the baton over to Margi Bohm from Paddle NSW.
Here’s to doing it all over again in Canberra ACT next year.
Mark your calendars for April 9th, 2026!
