Originally known as the Murray Marathon and held late December, it became the Massive Murray Paddle and shifted to November.
Now organisers are changing both the name and the game of this year’s event, opting for the more competitive title of mmp415 and a new course.
In previous years, participants usually travelled 404km along the Murray from Yarrawonga to Swan Hill.
This year, the course has changed slightly — diverting through Gunbower State Forest and finishing in Koondrook.
Mirage Sea Kayaks and Sydney Harbour Kayaks are the organisers behind the event and are big investors in tourism in the region.
Organiser Shannon O’Brien said boosting regional tourism was an important factor for them when planning this event.
“We heavily promote the paddlers to not bring anything into the region and we’re encouraging them to stay in the local campgrounds, hotels and motels and shop locally and eat locally,” Shannon said.
The event also acts as a fundraiser, with every participant required to raise funds for a local cause, with the option of donating their time to a cause also counted.
“By giving freedom for people to choose their cause, we found they raise so much more,” Shannon said.
“This February we only had 110 paddlers but they raised $100,000. That’s crazy — it’s really substantial and fantastic to have that result.”
Since 2016, the paddle has raised a total of $895,442 and Shannon hopes the event will hit the million dollar mark this year.
A popular annual event, registration for this year’s paddle has already hit 300 people and with registrations open until the beginning of November, numbers will only get higher.
The event will run from November 21 to November 25. To register, go to www.mmp415.racing or phone (02) 9969 4590 for more information.