Friday, 9th March 2018
The Mad Paddle 2018
On Sunday 25th February the fourth Mad Paddle event was held.
This event is a fundraiser and is coordinated and chaired by SYC Honorary Member Felicity Frederico in conjunction with Stand Up Paddle Victoria and is held bi-annually with all proceeds going to one of the Club’s charities, the Sandringham Hospital.
To put it mildly the weather on the day, with a strong South Westerly, was dead against stand-up-paddlers in terms of their ability to venture far.
It was decided on the day to stick within the lee of the breakwater for most paddlers with the more experienced paddlers going back and forth to SYC4 from our west channel.
Only two support boats were required in the end; ‘Ti Amo’ skippered by SYC member Michael Kostos and SYC RIB ‘Hoffy’ operated by SYC member Paul and Pauline Liddiat.
Apart from Michael, Paul and Pauline I wish to thank and acknowledge Craig and Kirsten Wiley – ‘Vixen’, Gary Finemore – ‘Perfect Mix’ and Nigel Prince ‘Last One’ who were all ready, willing and able to help out as support boats but on the day were not required.
I was most gratified to note so many Members apart from the above applied to assist on the day with their boats. These members included Bruce Williams, Arthur Naoumidis, Tommy Raft, Phil Burke and Kayne Heller.
On the day – despite the weather and hence relatively few entrants the event raised $17,000 for the Sandringham Hospital with over $88,000 raised by this event since 2012.
Congratulations and thank you to everybody involved.
Bill Stubbs.
