Veteran’s victory

By Shawn Murphy
A 62-YEAR-OLD paddling heavyweight from Sydney has claimed victory in Australia’s longest and most gruelling paddling event, despite fierce competition from Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley competitors.
The five-day, 400-kilometre Murray River Marathon from Yarrawonga to Swan Hill was cut short by one day due to an extreme fire warning, but Tom Simmat managed to take the cake as the outright leader on handicap.
Selby’s own Michael ‘Mad Mick’ Dinkreve finished in the top 10 each day in his 23rd race to come in at 26th overall with his paddling partner Gary Wardrope.
Emerald men David Le Lievre and Craig Bullock also took part in the event, which kicked off at 7am on 27 December and wound up on New Year’s Eve.
Mr Dinkreve enjoyed the race, taking the opportunity to make fun with Mr Simmat.
The Sydneysider agreed to tell Gary a joke each time he passed him on the river.
His last joke, was “something about Irish jokes having no punchline”, Mr Dinkreve said.
Flooding through the river allowed for a smoother race.
“This year was great, we had a great current three out of the four days,” Mr Dinkreve said. Funds raised from the event go to the YMCA. YMCA spokeswoman Jaimee Damon said the social side of the event was in full form.
“Competitors had an amazing time catching up with old friends and making new ones,” she said.
Ms Damon said the gruelling paddle was always a challenge for the competitors.
“This year was no different, particularly with the challenges faced due to the flooding of the Murray and the extreme fire danger in the Mallee Valley,” she said.
Contestants came from all across Australia and the world to take part, including a couple from Germany.