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!
