Saltwater Canoe Classic Completed On-Time and On Budget!

Footscray Saltwater Classic 2009

The Saltwater Canoe Classic was held today, Sunday 1st February. 30 deg temperatures and 50% humidity pressed the competitors as they paddled their way over the 2 lap, 12km circuit between Footscray Rd and Essendon Rowing Club. Overall, 108 boats and 147 paddlers took part in Footscray’s first race of the year, making it the largest Saltwater race since we’ve been keeping records. 

The big guns turned out in force as this was a selection event for the Victorian Marathon Canoe Team and they couldn’t believe their luck as the first start got underway right on 11AM as planned. Neither could the FACC safety boat seamen as they surveyed the Essendon attractions… Unfortuneately Annette’s luck ran out as she was posted to BBQ duties, clearly a man’s job in her opinion.

There were 35 classes in the race spread across 8 starts. The most popular this year was the K1 mens junior 18 with 12 entrants, followed by the K2 mens open with 9 boats. A highlight was start 6 with 37 boats spanning the Maribyrnong, as well as the tussle for the K2 mens open with 1st & 2nd finishing within a fraction of a boat length of each other:

1st : Andrew Stimpson (FACC) & David Cole (INCC) – 1:46:21 – also the fastest full distance time of the day.
2nd: Tim Norton (MMCC) & Michael Leverett (Yarrw) – 1:46:22
3rd: Ivor Morgan (FACC) & Mark Rantell (Warn) – 1:47:24

Race results available here. See below for a selection of photos.

Thanks once again to the efforts of FACC members for making this event happen: Alison, Angelo, Annette, Dom, Eleri, Gayle, George, John M, John P, Mick, Mike, Neil, Stew and Tezza.

Special mention also to the usual suspects: Altona SES and Westerport First Aid for their services.

We hope everyone enjoyed the event. FACC’s next official race is the Ted Pace Memorial on Sunday 20th September. For FACC members, look out for upcoming handicap races, training sessions and social events either in the calendar, or under Future Events on the home page.