Twenty Groynes Community Paddle on Botany
Saturday the 6th of January, 2024
Georges River Sailing Club, Botany Bay
Event parking is via the Depena Reserve end of McMillan Avenue, Sandringham
Starting and ending at the beach in front the Georges River Sailing Club competitors paddle a 4 kilometre lap course on Botany Bay, completing as many (or as few) laps as possible within the 4 hour period.
Sutherland Shire Canoe Club and Dolls Point Paddlers have been running this community paddle since 2019.
The “20 Groynes” is a fun Community Paddling event, run over 4 hours, offering a paddling challenge on the ever changing waters of Botany Bay, where competitors will paddle a 4 kilometre lap course, completing as many (or as few) laps as possible within the 4 hour period. The event starts and ends at the Georges River 16ft Sailing Club, Sandringham.
Paddlers should expect to pass at least twenty (20) of the infamous Botany Bay ‘Groynes’ each hour.
This is intended as a ‘fun’ event, and paddlers of all craft and ages are encouraged to enter.
You can paddle the full distance/time on your own, or you can get a few mates together, have a bit of fun, and paddle the event as a Relay.
Relay Teams can be any combination of boats/gender/ages (Singles, Doubles, Combination).
As an example, in the “Relay” category, it is absolutely acceptable to enter a Team made up of combination of OC6’s, OC2’s and Ski’s, and even SUP’s, paddled by a mix of ages and genders.
You must nominate a Team Name in your entry, whether you are a Team of 1, or a Team of 20.
It is important that in Teams of more than 1, that ALL paddlers enter EXACTLY the same Team Name.
Your Entry Fee also includes a drink in the bar at the Georges River 16′ Sailing Club afterwards, where, COVID guidelines permitting, presentations will be made while we all enjoy a few laughs and swap some tall tales.
| Registration Closes | Midnight Thursday 5th January |
| Race Briefing | Sent out Friday 6th January |
| Race Day | Saturday 7th January |
| Arrival | 6am – car parking opens 7am – check in opens 7:40am – check in closes |
| Race & Safety Briefing | 7:40am – Reserved* *At time of publication, an on-site pre-race in-person briefing is not planned. In the event of adverse weather conditions, the Race Director may elect to do a safety briefing. |
| Start | 8am |
| Finish | 12pm midday |
| Presentation | 1pm – COVID Guidelines permitting a post-race presentation will be held at the Georges River Sailing Club |
There are compulsory minimum equipment requirements for participation, which must be observed by all entrants.
Participants must park in the dedicated parking area at the Depena Reserve end of McMillan Avenue, Sandringham.
Parking attendants will provide each driver with a parking ticket to be displayed on the dashboard. They will ensure that participants drive safely and park in the designated area. The gate will be locked at the end of the event.
Do NOT park in the Georges River Sailing Club parking area (Sanoni Ave). This parking area has time limited parking and is reserved for use of the general public.
There are 3 race categories with trophy’s presented:
The conditions of Botany Bay are variable with wind and tides effects. Weather and Tide information will be available closer to the event.
Paddling on Botany Bay presents challenges to both uninitiated and experienced paddler. The more thought that paddlers give to their preparation, the more enjoyable and successful the race!
Clothing
Prepare for your event by considering several clothing options, bearing in mind that protection from the sun should be a major consideration. Determine what works best in different weather conditions so you know what to wear on the day. Wear a hat or cap, and sunblock and rub vaseline or gurney goo on body parts that are subject to rubbing on clothing or your boat.
Food
Many competitors choose to stop at the beach near the start/finish line and have food and drink breaks. So you can keep your snacks cold in an esky on the beach. All paddlers should, however, carry sufficient water for the distance they indent to paddle between breaks.
For those who intend to paddle the full four hours more thought need to be given to your paddling food and the quality of water you carry with you. Test your paddling food before the event, and under paddling conditions. And ensure it sits well in the stomach. In long distance paddling, paddlers can consume 50g carbs and 15g protein and up to 600ml water an hour in warm conditions. There is a great deal of information in the internet about nutrition. Conduct your own tests and find out what works best for you.
Your Boat
Choose a boat that gives you the best mix of comfort and speed, with just enough stability for your ability. Conditions could change over the course of the race, so a more stable boat could be beneficial.
Training
You will enjoy the 20 Groynes more if you have done some training. “The more you put in, the more you get out.” But as this is intended as a fun event, extensive training is not essential.
If you are new to paddling, try and get some coaching from a PNSW accredited coach to help you master the best paddling technique.
All events need volunteers and the 20 Groynes is no exception.
If you’re not planning to paddle, why not email committee@shirekayaking.info to join the volunteer team?
Unfortunately we’ve made the decision not to host the 2023 Twenty Groynes Community Paddle. The Georges River 16ft Sailing Club is hosting the Oceania & Australian Open and Youth Laser Sailing Championships during the period we would normally hold the Groynes. The Race Committee considered alternate courses and dates but sadly came to the conclusion that it would not be practical to hold the event this year.
The 2022 Dolls Point Point 20 Groynes was run and won in some super fun conditions on the Bay.
The King of the Groynes mantle has been passed to Michael McKeogh
The new Queen of the Groynes is the one & only Naomi Johnson
The Unused Groynes (Gareth Stokes, John Denyer, Mark Moro and Jason Hodder) won the coveted Multi Groynes trophy
View the results on webscorer
The 2021 20 Groynes- Saturday 9 January
COVID restrictions meant we could run the race in 2021.
The 2020 20 Groynes – Saturday 11 January
Strong winds and poor air quality from the NSW bushfires made it unsafe to run the race.
The inaugural 2019 20 Groynes – Saturday 12 January
Queen of the Groynes – Robyn Bingle
King of the Groynes – Doug Peres
Multi Groynes – Rob Mercer, Tim Pearse, Caroline Marschner, Mark Hemphil (The Salty Groynes)
View the full results on webscorer
