After a three-year hiatus due to COVID in 2020 and again in 2021, and then the devastating floods of 2022, it was a pleasure to be able to attend the start of the 2023 Hawkesbury Canoe Classic. And what a fabulous event it was!

Hundreds of paddlers, along with their supporting land crew, gathered at the start of the race at Windsor on a beautifully warm afternoon on the last Saturday in October to complete final preparations for the grueling 111 km overnight paddle along the Hawkesbury to Mooney Mooney. The fine weather continued overnight, and paddlers, land crew, and the 300 or so volunteers that make the Classic Paddle the amazing event that it is, were treated to a spectacular full moon to light their way.

Of course, The Hawkesbury Classic Paddle is more than just a paddle. It’s also a fundraising event, and 2023 marks the 30th year that Arrow has been named the major beneficiary of the funds raised. We are extremely grateful to the team of The Hawkesbury Canoe Classic for their recent donation of $76,000 to support our PhD Scholarship program. This brings the total funds raised by the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic for Arrow to over $4 million!

If you’re a keen paddler, start training now for the 2024 event. There is the classic Classic, the 111 km overnight paddle from Windsor to Mooney Mooney, the 65 km Wisemans Ferry Dash, and relay options in both distances. The event is open to any paddle powered craft with an unsupported paddle, so you can paddle solo, in a double, or a four, a dragon boat, or even a stand up paddle board if you really want to!

Be sure to sign up to the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic newsletter to be kept in the loop for when registrations open 2024, but for now, save the date:

The Hawkesbury Canoe Classic:
Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th October 2024.

Corporate teams and corporate sponsorship are always wanted. Please get in touch if you’d like more information about the 2024 event.