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.
Brett, James Harrington, James Pralija, Daniela, and Dmytro competed as part of the broader New South Wales team across a range of categories, including opens, masters, singles, and doubles.
The MPA athletes delivered an outstanding performance, bringing home a total of nine gold, two silver, and five bronze medals from the National Championships.
James Harrington, racing alongside Canberra’s Matthew Gates, earned a well-deserved silver medal in the highly competitive open category. Earlier in the event, he also secured bronze in the short course. James has now qualified to represent Australia in both the single and double events at the World Marathon Championships in Hungary later this year.
James Pralija also had a strong showing, picking up silver in both his short and long course events, and adding a gold medal in mixed doubles.
Brett and Daniela dominated their K1 and K2 races, taking gold in most of their events.
Dmytro earned silver in the short course, bronze in the long course, and teamed up with Daniela to secure another bronze in the all-men’s double race.
Most of the MPA paddlers who competed in Perth are now set to represent Australia at the World Marathon Championships in Hungary—an exciting next chapter for our paddlers.
