Wollongong Paddlers

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/182rouqqzJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Please put in a submission requesting a shower and storage at the harbour for our group. We are the biggest user of Wollongong Harbour, anyone that’s a local knows we are there every single day of the week.
Cheers. 

Wollongong City Council’s Beach and Surf Sport Strategy closes tomorrow the 8th of February.

This is an opportunity for the community and our members to provide feedback on Wollongong councils’s beaches and surf sports facilities, what improvements you’d like to see, and what should be a priority for the future

Please take the time to complete this survey and provide important feedback. https://our.wollongong.nsw.gov.au/beach-services-and-surf-sports-strategy

Fenn Surf Ski Demo Days – this Saturday and Sunday, 25 and 26 October
Wollongong Harbour, 6am to 8am

Your opportunity to try out the new Fenn surf ski range – catering for everyone from beginner to elite level paddlers. All paddlers are welcome.

You’ll be able to try the following 2025 ski models:
• Fennix Blue Fin S – 5.9 m entry level single, ultra stable and ideal for those transitioning into ocean paddling.
• Fennix Yellowfin – New for 2025, bridging entry/intermediate paddlers with refined width & seat design.
• Fennix XT S – Beginner to intermediate performance ski, balancing stability with increased speed potential.
• Fennix Spearfish - The latest innovation from Fenn, designed to bridge the gap between the renowned Fennix Swordfish and the elite-level skis.
• Fennix Wahoo – Advanced paddler. Wider seat and longer foot well. Winner of the 2025 World Championships
• Fennix Cuda - Low volume, advanced designs tailored for lighter paddlers or those demanding maximum responsiveness.
• LS Surf Club Spec Ski - Maintains the previous model’s main attributes of speed, manoeuvrability, stability and surf ability.
• Double Flying Fish – An intermediate double ski. If you’re concerned about the Elite S being unstable or the XT S not being fast enough then the Fennix Double Flying Fish splits the difference.
See you there!

For more details on specifications, construction, price and availability across Australia, visit https://oceanpaddler.com/fenn-surf-skis

Michael McKeogh

Hey Paddlers,
The Cronulla Sutherland Kayak Club is having their 60th anniversary and presentation night on the 1st of November.
There have been a lot of Wollongong Paddlers enjoying the kayak club over the years and it would be great to see you at the 60th anniversary. Many of you have your name on the Perpetual trophies and it would be great to introduce you to the current club.
Send me a direct message to let me know you’re able to come along, thanks 


Get your entries in early. You can do 5, 10, 15 or 20 km races. This is a great event and a great location put on by great people. 

🚨 Marathon #7 is coming!
Join us Saturday, July 12 at the stunning Swallow Rock Reserve, Grays Point.
Whether you're chasing points or chasing a new personal best, this is one race you don’t want to miss.
📍 Hosted by Cronulla Sutherland Kayak Club
🔗 Register now: https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=368073

Hey Paddlers,
I’m doing a 15min radio interview on the ABC Illawarra this morning at 10:20 am. This is to help raise our profile and to let the Illawarra know how successful our group has been over the years and in the most recent Australian ocean racing championships. We won the opens, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s age groups which is remarkable for our squad.
I’ll be putting in a plug for building our ocean sports facility where the old asbestos shed was demolished as well. 

Wollongong paddlers did so well yesterday. It wasn’t just the Makai Cup but the Aussie Ocean Racing Championships.

Our guys and girls results :

Mackenzie Hynard won outright 💪😊🥂

We won the 40+ ski - Ben Constable
3rd in 45+ - Seb James with Brendan Crowe in 5th

We won the 50+ ski - Cade Barnes
3rd in 50+ was Glenn Sweeney
We won the 60+ ski - Michael McKeogh and 4th in a strong field was John Lee
We won the 70+ ski - Gary Hancock and Jim Parker officially 3rd but we believe 2nd.

We won the Spec Ski category - James Haig, Paul Hobby second

We got second in the Women’s open ski - Montannah Murray

And the rest of our crew had great results in a testing race.
Congratulations to Brad Hynard, Colin Gray, Rick McWhirter, Ross Walker, and Neil Wiblin, (I’m sorry if I missed anyone)

A solid effort everyone, congratulations 🥂🎉😊
With all the traning we do and encouragement we give each other we really punch above our weight.

Hi paddlers,
Chris Brown‘s funeral is this Saturday at 11 am in Wollongong. I have attached the details below. It would be great to see you  there. His family feel that for the last three years that he has been involved in Paddling, that this has been his real passion .

CHRIS BROWN - Funeral Announcement Passed away suddenly on Friday 10th January 2025. Beloved husband of Rachel. Adored father of Stella, Annabelle, and Max. Beloved son of Malcolm and Linda.

I’m sure we’ve all heard the sad news about Chris. Chris Browns family have asked for photos of Chris both paddling and with his paddling friends.
Would you search through your photos and send any you have to me please.
Thanks 🙏 Michael McKeogh

https://www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=359254&did=463757

Wollongong Paddlers did well at another marathon. John Lee is flying as you know and one division two, and I did my best to hang in there for a third place. 

2024 Marathon #6 - Penrith | Race results Race results: 2024 Marathon #6 - Penrith @ Penrith, Australia. Sunday, July 21, 2024 09:29 (GMT+10)

Next Saturday is Mother’s Day and the Bombora restaurant wants to know if we want a table.
Please give us a thumbs up if you think you’ll be at breakfast so that we can book a table or cancel and make room for other people
Thanks 🙏 

With the harbour being closed, we may split into two groups tomorrow. Some Paddling down south and others of us paddling from Bellambi.

Those up north will paddle from Bellambi at 7am and then go to Olives for breakfast at Bellambi Surf club.