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Based in Mt Isa, North West Canoe Club is a small but mighty paddling community.
First formed in 1975 by a group of four members with a passion to turn their paddling journey from Knobbies to the pub into a race, the club has evolved over the years, and the Gregory River Canoe Marathon was born
The Gregory River Canoe Marathon has become an annual event, and will be celebrating its 50th year milestone in 2025.
The marathons inaugural race in 1976 hosted 18 competitors, then in 1991 the club saw its largest year with 250 paddlers, and now the event regularly welcomes over 150 competitors each year.
Involved with the club for 13 years, current Club Secretary Alison Whitehead shared that she believed it is the club’s sense of camaraderie and the opportunity to compete with a team that attracts so many individuals to Mt Isa for the marathon.
“I think it’s the camaraderie and the ability to do something different in a team, especially for our non-paddlers,” Whitehead said.
“The race is about 38 kilometres and you can do it in teams of up to 8, so people will grab a few mates and it’s an absolutely amazing place to camp for the weekend.
“When you live in remote areas, if there is something on then it is generally well supported.”
Evolving with time, the Gregory River Canoe Marathon has become more than just a race and is about the passionate community which has been developed around it.
“It’s changed over the years, nowadays we actually feed about 150 people a roast dinner in the river on the Friday before the event,” she said.
“Everybody camps along the river and enjoys the camaraderie.
“The Gregory River family come together, with any volunteers or competitors who come up early from all over Australia for the event, and all have a roast and dessert together – and I think that connection is really special.”
With the club’s 50th year anniversary set for 2025, Alison will continue her role of organising the marathon and is hoping that the weather conditions cooperate to produce a high quality river race.
“I really hope that the river is high enough for us to have a proper race.
“We will change things up if the river is high again, but having now been able to see the river at the flow rate we had this year, I believe we would be confident in running a race for experienced paddlers regardless.
“And then we would still have a novelty race for beginner paddlers, but I would really like to see a normal race for the 50th year, that would be really good.”
Aside from the annual Gregory River Canoe Marathon, the club has transitioned from predominantly a racing club to a social one that provides paddling opportunities to members and locals during the week.
“These days it’s much more of a social club, where we go out and do a 5km or 7km paddle and enjoy the sunset and then have a beer in the clubhouse,” she said.
“It’s a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.
“We have about 30 members, and a core group of seven that will paddle every Tuesday and Saturday.
“We have a group of members who come out regularly after what may be a stressful day at work, and we go out on the water.
“Just mindfully enjoying the serenity, the bird life, watching people on boats, we’re all very passionate outdoors people so just seeing people outside and utilising Lake Moondarra is rewarding.”