Competitors prepare for The Impossible

The race, now in its fifth edition, will take place between Torquay and Barwon Heads.

This year it has been shifted from the Melbourne Cup weekend to November 30 to allow warmer temperatures and greater safety.

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 Managements Pete Currie said the competition’s growth was obvious, with the race now attracting people of all abilities.

“You can just tell by the number of crafts on top of cars.

“Many of them have been in Australian teams. But the bulk of paddlers are just weekend warriors and sometimes people who have only been paddling a few months.”

Currie said the event would have a flotilla of safety craft that will ensure racers were looked after.

Ivor Morgan won the heavily populated Male Open Kayak event in 2019. He completed the race in one hour, 18 minutes and 17 seconds – just over a minute quicker than former Canoe Marathon World Champions medalist Michael Leverett.

Mr Currie said wind conditions had a significant effect on the race and the chances of records being broken.

“Everyone would prefer a south-westerly or a west-south-westerly. We have on one occasion had to reverse it because we had a north-easterly.”

This is an option race organisers will again consider if conditions dictate.

There are many prizes to be won, including two six-month memberships to JETTS 24 hour gyms, meal vouchers from Growlers Restaurant Torquay, vouchers to the Barwon Heads Hotel, Surfski car roof carrier cradles, vouchers for Limeburners Bar, East Geelong, and trophies from Intricut.

Entry before November 26 is $78, and $48 for entrants under 20. After November 26, entry is $90 and $58 for under 20s.