Impossible Race to mark 10 years

MORE than 100 athletes will be at the starter’s line later this month in the Impossible Ocean Paddle.

The tenth edition of the aquatic mission will be conducted on November 22, with paddlers of all types of craft to journey 18km from Torquay to Barwon Heads.

Competitors will be praying for south-westerly winds to help to push them downwind, but in the event of a north-easterly wind, the course can be reversed.

Pete Currie from event organiser South West Race Management said excitement was high heading into a significant milestone in 2025.

“Our entry list is looking really healthy for this year, which is just fantastic, and we’ve got some great little sponsors on board to help us out.

“The challenge is what brings people back. There’s lots of ocean paddles, but many are in protected waters in the bay, whereas this is an open water race.

“The majority of our competitors will be on the ocean skis, but we will have prone paddlers, stand up paddleboarders, outriggers and more.”

Mr Currie said groups will be sent off to race the course according to their expected finish time, helping to save time and resources.

“All the slower paddlers will go first, and the fastest will be in the last wave.

“The plan is for everyone to come in during the same 20 minutes or so.”

The event will be race three of the dedicated 2025/2026 Victorian Ocean Paddling Series.

For more information, head to swracemanagement.com/the-impossible.html