Barron River Challenge declared a success!

BRC 2011 Race organiser, Terry McClelland is confident that the BRC will become a permanent fixture on the Norths Adventure Sport event calendar following 2 successful events on May 8 and 9.

The Inaugural BRC50 saw 22 paddlers leave the Low Barron bridge in Mareeba in 1.93 m of water. All were seasoned paddlers and of the 15 craft that started, 13 completed the challenge. The lightest craft – the fibreglass K1 Viper and perhaps the oldest, a plastic Bushranger were both forced to withdrawal before Bilwon checkpoint.

John Van Ryt kept the officials busy as he carved down the river in his K1, eventually clocking up 4 hours 20 minutes and 28 seconds for the 50 km challenge. Struan Lamont in his plastic DRR did everything in his power to bridge the gap but the 6 time winner of the Gregory River race eventually pulled up 17 minutes ahead. Third over the line was Shane White who spent the first 31 km wrestling control of his Perception wave hopper- just in time for the beyond Koah rapids. Fourth( Fifth outright) over the line was Rod Tindale who tackled the oak forest grade 3 in his ancient fibreglass DRR having already patched up a gapping 15cm hole. Next over the line came the first of the double canadians manned by Brad Weaver and David Lep. They won the Double- Double paddle class in a brand new fibreglass Butlers Peterborough made by local -Andrew Squillari.

Dave Wood and Brett Wilson were just under 5 minutes behind, winning the Double- single paddle class in a Mad River plastic. Adam Fletcher and Chris White in a new though somewhat battered Rosco Chief crossed just ahead of the Yukon 1600 km legend – Rod Spinks who was just warming up with his 5:42.30 effort. Adventurer/ Pyramid Queen – Louise Carver crossed in just over 6 hours after leaving Mareeba to write her name once again in the NQ record book as the only woman to finish solo in the inaugural challenge.

The first Mixed canadian team of Lisa Still and Andy Baker were next to finish earning them both the last set of Double glass Paddles for their category win.
Local Hans Zehnter survived a belting at Oak forest and went on to take out the >55yrs category. At 67yrs old he will inspire many to take up the Challenge.

Local Paddlers Jeremy Owens and Debra Hamilton in their Roylex Canadian provided great promotional footage as they choose a perfect line down the centre of Oak forest rapid and went on to clock 6 hours and 12minutes and 16 seconds. The biggest day out was provided by Peter Smith and Elly Jane Mathieson whose only mishap occurred when attempting the Owens/ hamilton line down oak. They nailed the first half but swum the remainder- once again providing some great promo pics.
The BRC 12 was held on Saturday 7th May. A small field of 8 paddlers in 4 canadians showed some well rounded down river skills. 14 year olds- Baedyn McClelland and Julian Kath earned their names on the perpetual trophy with a time of 1hour 3 minutes and 17 seconds for the 12 km journey from Mareeba to Biboohra.

Tinaroo Canoe Club would like to thank all Checkpoint officials ,Competitors, Landcrew and supporters for this- our first signature event.
2011 Results can be viewed here under ‘canoeing/kayaking’