FIFTY local paddlers will tackle one of the most gruelling adventure events in the country, the 111-kilometre Hawkesbury Canoe Classic, on Saturday.
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The group comprises 29 The Armidale School (TAS) boys and girls, one Old Boy paddling and his sister who is in year 10, a Year 11 father-son combination and paddlers from PLC and New England Girls’ School.
Training began in winter on Malpas Dam north of Armidale for the event, which this year has 394 entries.
Year 11 TAS students Liam Donaldson and Sebastian Tackling are tackling their third Hawkesbury, with hopes to better their time of 11 hours, 53 minutes and 13 seconds.
“It’s always tough and going against the tides is the hardest, no matter where it is – but this year that should be just before midnight so hopefully we will be able to run with the water through most of the early morning to the finish line,” Donaldson said.
The event is a major fundraiser for the Arrow Bone Marrow Foundation.