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Marathon Paddling Academy 2025 Season Recap
A Standout Season for Marathon Paddling Academy
Marathon Paddling Academy (MPA) athletes delivered an outstanding season, marked by personal bests, breakthrough performances over record distances, and success on both national and international stages. From time trial improvements to podium finishes at World Championships, the results highlight the depth, resilience, and competitive spirit that sit at the core of the MPA program.
Below are some of the season’s standout performances.
Daniela Torre
Daniela enjoyed a remarkable year, claiming gold at the World Masters Championships in Hungary and adding a bronze medal in the double with Brett Greenwood. That result could have been an even higher podium finish had the pair not fallen into the water early and been forced to restart from the back of the field. Domestically, Daniela dominated the Australian National Championships, winning the majority of her single and double events. Her exceptional season was recognised by Paddle Australia, naming her Australian Master Marathon Paddler of the Year.
Brett Greenwood
Brett delivered another world-class season, winning gold in the singles and bronze in the mixed doubles with Daniela Torre at the World Masters Championships in Hungary. He also dominated the NSW State Championships and Australian National Championships, securing multiple victories across single and double events. Brett added ultra-marathon success to his resume by winning gold in the Murray River Triple Crown and silver in the Tweed 30 races, and further showcased his versatility by competing at the World Ocean Championships in South Africa.
James Harrington
James continued his rise with strong national and international performances. At the Australian National Championships, he won silver in the double with Matthew Gates and bronze in the short-course marathon. He proudly represented Australia at the World Championships in Hungary, racing against the world’s best. Closer to home, James claimed gold overall in both the NSW Marathon Series and the NSW State Championships.
Alex Roberts
Alex secured silver overall in the NSW Marathon Series and placed an impressive fourth at the World Masters Championships in Hungary. He also claimed victory at the Myall Classic ultra-marathon, teaming up with Naomi Jonson to set a new mixed-double course record.
James Pralija
James competed strongly at the World Masters Championships in Hungary, both in single events and alongside Alex Roberts in doubles. Back on home waters, he secured silver medals in both the long- and short-course races at the Australian National Championships. James capped off the season with a dominant performance at the Hawkesbury Classic, winning by a significant margin in the double ski with Dmytro Medvedyev.
Dmytro Medvedyev
Dmytro delivered a strong showing at the Australian National Championships, claiming silver in the short-course marathon, bronze in the long-course race, and bronze in the double with Daniela Torre while competing in an all-men race. He also produced outstanding results in ultra-marathon events: Dmytro won the Myall Classic in the single category and went on to claim overall gold at the Hawkesbury Classic alongside James Pralija, further reinforcing his strength and consistency in long-distance events.
At MPA, success is about more than winning world titles on the international stage. It’s about overcoming personal challenges and setbacks, continually improving, and becoming a better version of yourself. It’s also about building friendships and sharing great moments together, both on and off the water.
In this spirit, we’d like to recognise the following achievements by MPA athletes in 2025:
Cassandra O’Connor
Cassandra enjoyed an inspiring season, competing in the Lane Cove time trials and major ultra-marathon events, including the Wyong River Van Stappen Trophy and the Murray River Triple Crown, where she claimed a bronze medal. Achieving these milestones in the later stages of pregnancy and then in the early months of motherhood makes her performance especially remarkable.
Stephen Shelley
Steve made a strong return this season following shoulder reconstruction, competing in several races of the NSW Marathon Series. Determined to regain his former Division 3 speed, he took on the demanding Murray River Triple Crown challenge. Along the way, Steve secured third place in the 65 km relay and third place in the 18 km relay, all while juggling race commitments with caring for his and Cass’s young baby between legs. With more training in the coming months, Steve is well on track to return to his best form.
Pim van Gestel
Pim made an outstanding transformation this year, progressing from struggling to hold a steady wash—often ending in an accidental swim early in the season—to becoming a confident paddler. He now comfortably handles choppy lake conditions in a tippy K1 and successfully completed 40+ kilometre course on the fast-flowing Murray River.
Chris Dickman
Chris put an enormous amount of work into levelling up his technique and posture. He analysed countless videos—of both himself and others—breaking down even the smallest flaws in stroke mechanics, and was relentless in seeking tips and feedback. His focus on getting the technique right has had a positive ripple effect across the academy, with dedicated Sunday sessions over the past six months centred on technique drills and making every stroke count.
Mick Casey
Mick brought motivation, commitment, and passion to every paddle session. He celebrated a significant personal milestone by competing in the NSW Marathon Series in Division 3 and taking on the challenge of the Murray River Triple Crown.
Dave Greuter
After returning from a period of minimal paddling, Dave produced a strong comeback, earning a silver medal in Division 5 of the NSW Marathon Series. As a result, he has been promoted to Division 4 for the upcoming season.
John Duffy
A seasoned marathon and ultra-marathon paddler, John took on a new challenge this season, transitioning into K1 paddling and racing and successfully embracing the demands of the craft.
Craig Macfarlane
Despite facing challenging changes in his career, Craig remained committed to his training with the academy, consistently pushing himself beyond his comfort zone and body limits to maintain his paddling form.
Beyond these highlights, many other MPA athletes achieved personal best performances throughout the year. With such a strong foundation, the academy looks ahead with confidence and excitement to even greater success in the season to come.
Murray River Triple Crown 2025
Seven paddlers from Marathon Paddling Academy (MPA) made the trip to Victoria to take on the demanding Murray River Triple Crown Challenge: Brett Greenwood, Dmytro Medvedyev, Chris Dickman, Mick Casey, Pim van Gestel, Steve Shelley, and Cassandra O’Connor. The iconic event spans three races across the weekend—a 64 km ultra-marathon, a long-course marathon (including team relay options), and a short-course marathon—testing both endurance and versatility.
MPA delivered an outstanding performance across all distances. Brett Greenwood dominated the weekend, taking victory in both the ultra-marathon and the long-course marathon. Steve and Cassy combined forces in the ultra-marathon relay to secure an impressive third place. Dmytro backed up consistently with fourth-place finishes in both the short- and long-course marathon races. In the triple ski, Mick, Pim, and Chris worked their way to a bronze medal in the short-course marathon and a strong sixth-place finish in the long-course race.
Unfortunately, an unforeseen change of circumstances meant Chris was unable to contest the long-distance race. Stepping up at short notice, Mick and Pim took on the ultra-marathon in single skis. Mick’s race came to an abrupt end after striking a submerged log around the 12 km mark, while Pim pushed on to paddle two of the three legs—making it the longest paddle event of his career. Dmytro was also unable to start the ultra-marathon, but despite these setbacks, the team’s overall results remained a strong reflection of MPA’s strength.
To cap off an exceptional weekend, Brett claimed overall Triple Crown gold for the second year in a row. The big question now: could a third consecutive Triple Crown title be on the cards next year?
2025 Pete Marlin Surfski Race
From Worlds to Waves: Brett and Steve Take on the Pete Marlin Surfski Race
After wrapping up the 2025 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in Durban, South Africa, Brett and Steve decided to extend their stay and take on one more challenge — the Pete Marlin Surfski Race. The annual 23 km downwind event, held off the coast of East London in honour of the late Pete Marlin, is one of the country’s most celebrated ocean paddling races, drawing athletes from around the world.
Coming off a strong showing at the Worlds — where both athletes handled Durban’s demanding open-water conditions with skill and composure — they carried that momentum into the Pete Marlin. The experience gained from the global championship clearly paid off: Steve claimed bronze, while Brett powered through to finish 4th in their respective age groups.
Staying on for the race was more than just a sporting decision; it was a chance to finish their international campaign on a high note. Brett and Steve gained solid results in both events and valuable experience in unpredictable coastal conditions.
2025 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships
Marathon Paddling Academy Makes Waves at the 2025 ICF Ocean Racing World Championships
The 2025 ICF Ocean Racing World Championships made a spectacular splash this year in Durban, South Africa, drawing over 500 paddlers from across the globe. With world-class athletes converging on the South-African coastline, the event showcased the very best of ocean racing skill, endurance, and spirit.
Representing the Marathon Paddling Academy (MPA), Brett Greenwood decided to take on the ultimate challenge—pitting himself against the world’s elite ocean racers. Brett was joined by Steven Coulter, a seasoned ocean paddler, who had trained with MPA during an intensive camp on the Gold Coast earlier this year.
For Brett, the competition was a bold step out of his comfort zone. Having spent most of his training time on flatwater, adapting to the unpredictable ocean conditions of Durban was no small feat. Despite that, he rose to the challenge with determination and grit, finishing within the top 20 of his age group—a remarkable achievement in such a competitive international field.
Meanwhile, Steven Coulter delivered an outstanding performance, showcasing both power and precision in the challenging ocean swells. His dedication and experience shone through as he secured an impressive 5th place overall in his age group, marking one of the standout results for the Australian contingent.
The results in Durban also highlighted one of the defining strengths of the Marathon Paddling Academy—the versatility of its athletes. MPA paddlers are known not only for their speed and stamina on flatwater marathon courses but also for their adaptability across different disciplines.
Whether it’s transitioning from marathon and ultra-marathon to sprint racing, from calm conditions to open-ocean swell, MPA’s training philosophy builds paddlers who can perform at a high level in any environment.
Paddle NSW 2025 Marathon Series
Marathon Paddling Academy Shines in the 2025 Paddle NSW Marathon Series
The 2025 Paddle NSW Marathon Series featured ten exciting races across New South Wales, bringing together the state’s top paddlers for a season of endurance, teamwork, and competition.
Marathon Paddling Academy (MPA) maintained a strong presence throughout the series, showcasing depth across multiple divisions. The Academy’s athletes not only performed impressively at the state level but also made their mark on the international stage.
Division 1 – A Season of Strength and International Success
MPA paddlers once again dominated the top division:
James Harrington capped off an outstanding season by claiming first place overall, securing the Division 1 series victory. James also proudly represented Australia at the World Championships in Hungary, competing among the best in the world.
Alex Roberts followed closely, finishing second in the series and achieving an incredible fourth place at the World Championships — an exceptional result among the world’s best.
Brett Greenwood finished fourth in the NSW series and went on to win gold at the World Championships, a highlight achievement that speaks to his world-class form.
James Pralija placed seventh, rounding out a strong Division 1 lineup, and also strongly competed at the World Championships, contributing to Australia’s strong international representation.
Some results were affected by paddlers’ limited appearances in the series due to their commitments to international competition — a clear sign of MPA’s growing global presence.
Division 2 – A Strong Return to Form
After moving down from Division 1 (perhaps a touch prematurely) earlier in the season, Dmytro Medvedyev found his rhythm and finished strong, winning two of his three races in the division.
Division 3 – Consistency and a World Title
Daniella Torre paddled an excellent season, earning silver in the NSW series. Even more impressively, she went on to claim gold at the World Championships, confirming her position among the sport’s elite.
Division 5 – Reliable, Competitive, and On the Rise
In Division 5, David Greuter delivered a standout performance, taking silver in the overall series with a string of strong results.
Ian Cooper showed great consistency across the season, placing fourth, and proving once again his ability to maintain form under pressure.
Cassandra O’Connor added a remarkable layer to her story — finishing sixth in the series while navigating the early months of motherhood. Returning to racing after welcoming baby Lachlan, she brought resilience and determination to every event.
Division 6 – A Golden Finish
Marni Kay ended her season in top form, taking gold in Division 6 and adding to MPA’s impressive medal tally.
Division 7 – Solid Effort and Season-Long Commitment
Andrew Pearce had a strong and consistent season in Division 7, completing seven races and earning a well-deserved bronze medal in the overall series.
Divisions 10/11 – A Season of Transition and Hope
Despite undergoing shoulder surgery, Steve Shelley made a welcome return to the water in the latter part of the season. He managed to compete in several Division 10/11 races, showing grit and love for the sport.
Off the water, it was an even more memorable season for Steve and Cassandra O’Connor, as they celebrated the arrival of their son Lachlan. The Academy welcomes baby Lachlan with open arms — a future MPA junior champion in the making!
Overall, the 2025 season was one to remember for the Marathon Paddling Academy. With athletes achieving success both in the NSW Marathon Series and on the world stage, MPA continues to establish itself as a powerhouse in marathon paddling.
Congratulations to all paddlers for another remarkable year — here’s to even greater achievements ahead!
Wyong Van Stappen 2025
The Wyong River Van Stappen Trophy – A Gritty Debut for MPA’s Cassandra O’Connor
The Wyong River Van Stappen Trophy, a challenging 30 km handicap race, was recently hosted by the Central Coast Paddlers Club. The course, known for its winding river bends and variable conditions, tested both the endurance and strategy of all who took part.
This year, Marathon Paddling Academy (MPA) was proudly represented by Cassandra O’Connor, who took on the race in a K1—a much more demanding craft to master over long distances, compared to the surfskis paddled by most of the other competitors. Navigating a K1 over 30 kilometers requires superior balance, technique, and focus - especially in rough conditions faced on race day.
Having recently welcomed her baby just five months ago, Cassy showcased not only physical strength but immense mental resilience. Despite the competition including experienced and long-time paddlers, she powered through the demanding distance and finished ahead of many seasoned athletes.
Her performance was nothing short of inspiring, demonstrating what dedication, grit, and passion can achieve—even in the early months of motherhood. We are incredibly proud to see her competing with such determination.
Myall Classic Ultra 2025
The Myall Classic, an ultra marathon paddling event, features a range of race distances from 12 km to the grueling 47 km course. This year, MPA was proudly represented by athletes competing in the 47 and 27 km events.
In 47km race, Alex Roberts teamed up with Naomi Jonson in the K2 mixed doubles category, while Dmytro Medvedyev took on the challenge solo in the K1 category. Both teams delivered outstanding performances on the water.
Alex and Naomi not only claimed first place in their category but also took the overall win — setting a new mixed doubles course record in the process. Meanwhile, Dmytro powered through the course to secure second place overall and first place in the K1 singles category.
In the 27 km race, Karen Tipping and Corinne Stephenson teamed up in the Open Doubles category, where they delivered a strong performance to take gold. In the Open Female Singles, Marni Kay paddled solo to earn a well-deserved silver medal.
Best of luck to Alex and Naomi as they take on the iconic Hawkesbury Canoe Classic 111 km race next!
2025 World Canoe Championship (Open and Masters)
MPA Athletes Shine at 2025 ICF Masters Marathon World Championships in Hungary
The 2025 ICF Masters Marathon World Championships took place in the scenic city of Győr, Hungary, drawing top paddlers from around the globe. Among them was a strong team of five MPA athletes and regular participants in our academy program: Brett Greenwood, Daniela Torre, James Pralija, Alex Roberts, and James Harrington.
The team competed across multiple events in both single and double categories. James Harrington proudly represented Australia in the open short course single and also teamed up with Matthew Gates for the open long course double—an impressive showing on the international stage.
Brett Greenwood and Daniela Torre delivered standout performances in their respective single events, each claiming a well-earned gold medal. The duo also shared the podium in the mixed double race—an especially remarkable achievement after a dramatic start. A paddle clash with another boat led to an unexpected swim and a restart from behind the pack, yet they powered through to finish strong.
Brett also secured a silver medal in the men's double event alongside his partner from Western Australia, Kelby Murray.
Alex Roberts placed fourth in the highly competitive 41–44 age category, while James Pralija demonstrated grit and skill in one of the toughest divisions of the championships. Together, Alex and James teamed up in a double event, finishing in the top 10 overall.
James Harrington also held his own against some of the world’s best, putting in a solid and commendable performance throughout the event.
A special congratulations goes to Craig Elliot, who participated in the MPA academy training camp on the Gold Coast earlier this year. Craig went on to claim a gold medal in the mixed double event, partnered with Laura Lee.
Well done to all our paddlers for representing the academy and Australia
2025 Gold Coast training camp
MPA recently hosted an epic 7-day training camp on the Gold Coast, bringing together paddlers from NSW, ACT, Victoria, and Queensland…
2025 Australian National Marathon Championship
This year, five marathon paddlers from the MPA Endurance Program, representing Lane Cove River Kayak Club, took part in the 2025 Paddle Australia Canoe Marathon and SUP Championships, held in Perth, Western Australia.
The MPA athletes delivered an outstanding performance, bringing home a total of nine gold, two silver, and five bronze medals from the National Championships….
NSW State Championship 2025
New South Wales championship was held in Canberra, MPA members competed across multiple divisions in ICF opens, masters, singles, doubles and general class boats. MPA brought home eleven gold, four silver and one bronze medals.
Murray River Triple Crown
Five members of the MPA team traveled to Victoria to participate in the Murray River Triple Crown Challenge: Brett Greenwood, Dmytro Medvedyev, Daniela Torre, Steve Shelley, and Cassandra O'Connor. The event featured three races: a 64 km ultra-marathon, a team relay, and a short-course marathon.
MPA performed exceptionally well: Brett won both individual races, Dmytro placed second in the long race, and Dani and Cassie secured second place in the long-course team relay, finishing fourth overall. The MPA team also took second place in the team relay.
In addition to racing, the team had a great time both on and off the water. It was truly a race to remember!
2024 World Canoe Championship (Open and Masters)
The 2024 ICF Masters Marathon Championship was held in Metkovic, Croatia.
MPA was represented by a team of five paddlers: Brett Greenwood, Daniela Torre, Cassandra O'Connor, Tim Harrington, and James Harrington. They competed in various single and double races, with James partnering with Matthew Gates to represent Australia in the open double race.
Brett and Daniela both achieved gold medals in their respective single races and also secured second place in the mixed double race. Cassandra O'Connor finished fourth in her single race but claimed first place in the double race with Larissa Cleverly.
Tim Harrington competed in one of the most competitive age groups, demonstrating his skill and determination. James Harrington had a strong performance, competing against some of the world's best paddlers.
Paddle NSW 2024 Marathon Series
This year, the Paddle NSW Marathon series had seven events, typically 20km for divisions 1- 7, 15 km for division 8, and 10 km for divisions 9-12.
MPA had a strong presence in the marathon series, having strong results across all divisions.
In Div 1 James Harrington celebrated the overall victory of the series, Brett Greenwood finished second and Dmytro Medvedyev took the third place.
In Div 3 Daniella Torre won gold, in Div 5 Cassandra O'Connor and Chris Dickman finished second and third respectfully.
James, Brett, Daniella, and Cassandra will represent Australia at the canoe World Championship in Croatia later this year.
2024 Australian Ocean Racing Championships
The course spans the length of the Gold Coast, with the start slated for Snapper Rocks heading north across an 18 kilometre course, set to finish at the iconic Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club...
2024 Australian National Marathon Championship
Australian Marathon Championship took place in Encounter Lakes, South Australia, this year. MPA was represented by six members: Brett, James, Daniela, Cassey, Steve and Dmytro, who competed as part of NSW team across most categories, including opens, masters, singles, and doubles…
NSW State Championship 2024
New South Wales championship was held in Canberra, MPA members competed across multiple divisions in ICF opens, masters, singles, doubles and general class boats. MPA brought home twelve gold, two silver and two bronze medals.
2023 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships
Western Australia hosted Ocean racing championship this year, with 500 paddlers all over the world coming to Australia to show their best.
MPA was represented by Brett Greenwood and Petr Balcarek, who raced for Czech ocean paddling team.
Brett and Petr raced very well, finishing top 20 in their respectful divisions.
Paddle NSW 2023 Marathon Series
Paddle NSW Marathon series consists of 10 Marathon events, which is typically 20km for 1-7 divisions, 15 kms for division 8, and 10 kms for divisions 9-12.
James Harrington celebrated the overall victory of the series, winning most of the races. Brett Greenwood, who was holding the title for the last seven! consecutive years, finished second. Dmytro Medvedyev took the third place.
MPA had a strong presence in the marathon series, having strong results across all divisions.
Clarence 100 Ultra
Clarence 100 is an Ultra marathon event, where competitors need to paddle 106 km over three days. MPA members Brett Greenwood, Daniela Torre, and Dmytro Medvedyev raced in K1, which is considered to be particularly challenging during the last day in the wide river. Brett dominated the race, finishing first in every leg; Dmytro came second overall, and Daniela was second female across the finish line.
Myall Classic Ultra
Myall classic is an Ultra marathon event, consisting of a few different races between 12 km and 47 km. MPA was represented by James Harrington in K1 competing in 47km race, and Karen Tipping who paddled in K2 with Pete Conway in 27 km race. James won the gold, while Karen and Pete finished fifth.
2023 World Masters Canoe Championship
2023 ICF Masters Marathon Championship took place in Vejen, Denmark. MPA was represented by Brett Greenwood and Daniela Torre, who competed in single and mixed double races. Brett and Daniela had very successful races and fought till the last seconds for the top spot, winning silver medals in all their events.
Australian National Marathon Championship
Australian Marathon Championship took place in Geelong, Victoria this year. Over 300 athletes raced at Victoria’s Barwon River. MPA members competed as part of NSW team across most categories, including opens, masters, singles, doubles, and K4.
MPA brought home five gold and two silver medals.
NSW State Championship
MPA has a strong presence in the NSW state championship in Canberra.
Competed in all categories, opens, masters, singles, and doubles, MPA brought home 13 gold, four silver, and two bronze medals.
20 Beaches Ocean race
The 20 Beaches Ocean Classic is one of the most iconic Ocean Paddling races in Australia since first held in 1990.
Canoe Masters World Championship 2022
Three members of MPA team competed in Canoe World Championship in Portugal.
Australian Marathon Championship 2022
After 2 years of cancelled National Canoe Marathon Champs and thousands of hours of training MPA squad came out and showed their best form on the weekend.