The Woronora Marathon Saturday 24 June 2023
Round 5 in the 2023 PaddleNSW Marathon Series
Race x of the 2023 Junior Marathon Series
Public Notice of our 2023 Woronora Marathon Race
Videos of the course will be available soon
The revised 2022 SSCC Woronora Kayak Marathon Race Briefing
Early Bird entries close Monday 19 June, all entries close Wednesday 21 June. Enter via Webscorer
The objective of the PaddleNSW Marathon Series is to provide a program of races for paddlers in ‘Time Divisions’ that match their paddling capabilities, and provide opportunities for, and recognise improvement in, paddler proficiency. The Series allows paddlers of all age groups, to paddle boats of any class, and is based primarily on paddlers’ abilities to paddle a range of distances within certain time periods or brackets.
Sutherland Shire Canoe Club has been running a marathon event on the Woronora River since 1979 when it was called the Twin Rivers Classic. The NSW Canoe Association later used this Twin Rivers Race as part of their marathon series. The race has continued to evolve to what we now know as the Woronora Marathon and is part of the annual Paddle NSW Marathon Series.
In 2022 we planned to for competitors to race a new 10k lap course on a circuit from just upstream of the Prince Edward Park footbridge to Thompson’s Bay Illawong. Depending on class, competitors will be racing over 5km to 20km, travelling on river-right (counter-clockwise) around the circuit.
However, due to significant flooding just prior to the Race, the 2022 course has been altered to a 5k lap with a new course. The course has been designed to minimise our impact on flood affected residents. Racers will paddle 5km laps starting near the boat ramp at Burnum Burnum Sanctuary. They will head down river to the Georges Head at Bonnet Bay, then back up river to the southern end of Prices Circuit Reserve then back down river to Burnum Burnum.
Competitors will receive a copy of the electronic Race Briefing that will be sent out to competitors on the Friday before the race. This will include a detailed race guide and course maps. READ THE RACE GUIDE CAREFULLY as it contains important information.
The Woronora Marathon is also race 2 of the PNSW 2022 Junior Marathon Series
The Junior series takes place within the 2022 Marathon Series. It allows juniors to experience the thrill of marathon racing with age-appropriate distances and some great awards to recognise their achievements.
Distances:
Juniors are welcome to paddle in whatever craft they’re comfortable in, and doubles entries are also strongly encouraged.
For more information about the 2022 Junior Marathon Series including the series rules, visit the Paddle NSW website
Competitors will be racing laps on a circuit from Burnum Burnum Sanctuary downstream to Georges Head Bonnet Bay, then upstream just past the southern end of Prices Circuit Reserve at Woronora.
Other than U10 paddlers. all racers will paddle 5km Laps:
Juniors will paddle courses as follows:
| U8 & U10 | 2km total (turn @ 1km) [2km total] |
| U12 | 5km total (1 x 5km lap – with Div 13) [5km total] |
| U14 & U16 | 10km total (2 x 5km laps – with Divs 9-12) [10km total] |
| U 18 | 15km total (3 x 5km laps – with Div 8) [15km total] |
Temporary buoys will be deployed during the race to mark the course and shallow water hazards. Some hazards are noted on this page.
| 08:15 – 09:25 | Competitor check-in will take place in front of the SSCC clubhouse in the Burnum Burnum Sanctuary |
| 09:30 | Race start: Division 7 & 20km SUP |
| 09:45 | Race start: Division 6 & 15km SUP |
| 10:00 | Race start: Division 1, then remaining divisions at approx. 2 minute intervals. |
| 12:30 | Approximate race finish |
The race will follow the Paddle NSW 2022 Marathon Series rules.
SSCC and SES volunteers will be assisting with safety boats.
A qualified first aid officer will be stationed at the start/finish line. Numerous race volunteers are qualified first aiders.
Each paddler must wear a Level 50 non-inflatable lifejacket for the full duration of the event.
The event is being held on the Woronora River starting and finishing at the Burnum Burnum Sanctuary, Woronora.
You need to enter the event parking via Menai Road, Woronora
Once you arrive, a friendly club volunteer (wearing a high-vis jacket) will direct you to a parking spot. You may be directed to drive through a public park to access a second parking area. Please drive slowly and carefully as this park is very popular with families with small children.
You can enter the river either from the boat ramp or the inlet in front of the SSCC club house.
The High Tide at Bonnet Bay on 16 July 2022 will be at 11:28am, 1.45m. So the course should be fast.
Check the BOM for more information.
Social Distancing will continue to be a focus, so please remember this when queueing for Check-in, the BBQ, etc.
Please practice good hand hygiene, etc.
In order to minimise the sharing of equipment, where possible, please bring your own cleaning equipment.
2022 16 June (Round 7)
2021 26 June – Race not run due to COVID restrictions
No Series Results / Standings due to insufficient races
2020 – Race not run due to COVID restrictions
No Series Results / Standings due to insufficient races
2019, 23 March, Series Race 2 – Results Photos
2019 Awards and Divisional Winners (pdf)
2018 17 March, Series Race 3 – Results Photos
2018 Awards and Divisional Winners (pdf)
2017 March, Series Race 2 – Photos
2016 June – Photos
