The Melbourne Mad Paddle is on again next month.. Sunday 16th March.
The Mad Paddle is a charity Stand Up Paddle event across the bay. A "down winder" is required on the day. Estimated start time is around 5.30am at Port Arlington, with Werribee River and Mornington as contingent starts. With a potential distance of 33 kms. Each paddler will be required to raise a minimum of $250 to participate in the event.
The event will culminate with a family BBQ at the Sandringham Yacht Club at the finish which is an opportunity to raise more funds with a vast array of live and silent auction items. We are inviting the community to support us by attending the BBQ and welcoming us in. We aim to complete the paddle at around noon.
We are hoping to raise $30,000 for vital equipment needed for the emergency department at the Sandringham Hospital and to purchase a defibrillator for SupVic Pty Ltd.
Last time it was awesome. Here's some pics.
If you are looking for more information regarding the Mad Paddle on Sunday March 16, there's lots of info on the Event's page of Seabreeze.
If you want an idea of all the live and silent auctions at the BBQ afterwards, log on to the event page on FB and you can be kept up to date.
If you would like to register, please go to: www.gofundraise.com.au/
It's also good to know what sort of board you are used to paddling, so we can match you up with another participant.
Totally bummed out with two broken fingers!
So many fun events on at this time of the year. Oh well............
ENJOY!
The Mad Paddle organisers, Kathy and Felicity doing some promo work in the local paper for the March 16th Mad Paddle, all you suppers have got to get behind this event . Register now!!!
The weather is looking cautiously optimistic for Sunday. Westerly and 25 knots. At this stage it could be the bay crossing we have all been hoping for. We have 9 escort boats - including the 60 ft from last time. It's a great opportunity to cross the bay not only in style, but in a safe manner. It's been approved by Port of Melb Corp and ParksVic. We still have a few spots left. We are pairing stronger paddlers with weaker paddlers, and safety is paramount. Seriously consider joining in The Mad Paddle. We would love your company! And it's for a good cause.
Latest forecast seems to be improving by the hour!!
Sunday 16 March
Winds
West to northwesterly 15 to 20 knots decreasing 5 to 10 knots during the morning.
Seas
1 to 1.5 metres, decreasing to around half a metre during the morning.
Should be a very pleasant transit from the west to the east. [by water that is!]
For those Mad Paddlers that would like to be part of the Mad Paddle, but have decided to watch cautiously from the sidelines, an opportunity has arisen that will guarantee you a prime front row ringside seat! Given the varying weather forecasts for Sunday, we have now decided to employ the use of Zodiacs (large inflatable IRBs) to help with the transfer of paddlers on to boats. We are after a few able bodies to assist on the Zodiacs and a couple of the escort vessels. Please let The Mad Paddle team know if you can help.
Awesome day today.. I was team leader for a group of newbies [fluro green tops] that that did a great job paddling for 2 1/2 hrs right across the top of the bay in pretty difficult conditions..
Here's a vid from today..
Great work with the pictures DJ. If it's possible to get a copy of the one with Kathy & I, I'd appreciate it!
Thanks for the pics and video DJ..... And to all the organisers, on what was a massive logistical effort which ran flawlessly.
Conditions were great with enough wind and waves to keep everyone focused on the paddle and make it interesting. Many people were new to downwinding and they should give themselves a pat on the back for successfully completing what became a solo paddle, due to the conditions and course. As team leader for Team Blue, big thanks to the test of the team on an awesome effort. It was also a real novelty to have a massive 60 foot motor launch tailing us , as our support boat. The only disappointment was for Dave, the skipper, who kept trying to entice us onboard for a cold beer! Two of our group were on their maiden downwinders and were totally determined to complete the paddle non-stop - so the beer fridge stayed very lonely.