2009 Canning Classic Paddle Race Results

The Canning Classic was held on Easter Monday in overcast conditions with gusty breezes for the first half of the race. We had a good turnout with fifty five paddlers participating, forty six doing the full course and nine doing the short 4 km course. 

The mass start was spectacular with 46 colourful craft sprinting to the first turn, Brendon Rice, Darryl Long and Liam Thompson battling for the early lead. By the turn at Fifth Avenue the breeze had picked up a lot making the conditions very unstable for the K1s. At the half way mark it was Brendon Rice who had taken a comfortable lead of 200m over the others however Brendon headed up river into the maze of tributaries and unfortunately took a wrong turn and was lost. To his credit he beached his boat, got out and ran across an island to look for the correct channel, found it and was then chasing in fourth spot. Brendon was still in fourth spot at the final turn at Kent Street Weir with only 3 km left. It came down to a sprint finish under the Riverton Bridge and it was Brendon Rice who held off the others to take line honours and this years Canning Classic. Class winners are shown below;

Thanks to all Canning River Club members who helped make the day so successful.