This was a fantastic event for the development of Victorian Paddling !
150 juniors at 2023 Victorian Schools Canoe Champs
150 juniors attended the 2023 Victorian Schools Marathon and Sprint Championships at Bendigo Canoe Club on Lake Weeroona on Sunday, 5th March.
Paddlers from 27 primary and secondary schools and eight club junior squads raced in short course marathon singles and doubles events, 200 m singles and doubles sprints and 200 m K4 sprints throughout the day.
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Racing was exciting for both the juniors and spectators alike, with so many boats on a small lake navigating around 2 small islands and pontoon portages for the U18 paddlers.
There was a good mix of the new and developing athletes aiming for State and National selection.
This was the first time the long running (~40 years) event had been held at Bendigo, where the beautiful parkland setting, sensational weather and strong support from parents and siblings created a friendly and exciting atmosphere for juniors to meet from across the state.
Our thanks go to Bendigo Council and Bendigo Canoe Club for providing access to the venue and Bendigo members for delivering on-water safety using sea kayaks, to Goldfields Paddlers for catering for competitors and spectators, to the coaches and teachers for preparing their juniors to race, some of whom had only commenced paddling in recent weeks, to the parents and guardians for supporting their children to attend, and to the volunteers from the Marathon and Sprint committees and parent groups for filling the roles to ensure the smooth running of the event.
We look forward to seeing many of these juniors racing again this weekend at the Victorian State Marathon Championships , the National Sprints and at Easter in Geelong for the Oceania Championships.
After Easter the junior paddlers and schools will focus on the Junior marathon events and the camp in September.
| Trophies: The Marathon trophies were awarded as follows: | |||
| Trophy | First | Second | Third |
| Overall (Doak Trophy) | Bendigo Combined | MLC | Strathcona |
| Small school | PLCC Juniors | INCC Juniors | – |
| Girls | MLC | Strathcona | – |
| Boys | Camberwell | Trinity | – |
2023 Victorian Schools Champs – M1
Final results
2023 Victorian Schools Champs – M2
Final results
Sprints results ( please note our 200metre is probably a bit longer and the water shallow)
Sprint Trophies to be announced
Schools Champs 2023 Final draw v2 – Google Sheets
John Young
On behalf of the PV Marathon, PV Sprint and Bendigo Canoe Club organizing group
Photos – Just a sample from Tony`s post
