Preparations continue for Impossible paddle

IMPOSSIBLE feats of paddling are on the cards again next month, and organisers are hoping for another strong turnout.

This year will be the seventh edition of The Impossible, with great downwind conditions over the past five years and South West Race Management crossing their fingers that the tradition will continue.

To be held on a new weekend in 2021, the December 4 date has been selected to ensure the very best conditions for the race and a high tide when entering the river at Barwon Heads.

The course is otherwise the same – starting in front of the Torquay Yacht Club at Fishermans Beach, paddlers will progress along the coastline to Point Impossible, passing to the left of a buoy located 500m offshore and well clear of the reef, and then head to Barwon Heads Bluff around a buoy placed offshore at a sufficient distance to avoid breaking waves.

Paddlers will then aim for the red channel marker at the river entrance, and must keep this (along with the second red marker) on their left to avoid sand banks as they head to the finish line in Barwon Heads (near the At The Heads restaurant).

In the event of adverse winds, the course may be reversed.

Competitors can enter in kayaking, stand up paddleboarding (SUP), outrigger canoes and prone boards, with different classes for gender and age groups.

South West Race Management’s Pete Currie said the November 2020 edition of The Impossible was a successful race, and he had similar aspirations for this year.

“There’s a lot more administration these days, with all the COVID stuff, but everything’s going fine; hopefully we get the same or better entries than last year. We’re always aiming for nearly 100 paddlers, so it’d be good if we get those.”

Early bird entries are still being accepted.

“A lot of people hang on and wait until they see what the weather conditions are like,” Mr Currie said.

“Everyone will be praying for south-westerlies; we all like downwinds.”

Paddlers participating in The Impossible have been granted approval by Maritime Safety Victoria to exceed five knots when within 50 metres of other craft between Torquay and Barwon Heads Bluff, and Mr Currie said the fastest paddlers could reach 20 kmh (more than 10 knots) if conditions were right.

Prizes include two six-month memberships to Anytime Fitness 24 hour gyms, vouchers to the Barwon Heads Hotel, complimentary entry to Gippsland Lakes Paddle Challenge, Surfski car roof carrier cradles, and vouchers for Limeburners Bar in East Geelong.

For more information or to enter, head to the South West Race Management website.