January 2011 saw massive destruction with flooding and then cyclones. Thousands of people were affected by these disasters and lost everything including their families.
Paddlers of the Gold Coast and surrounding areas came together on Saturday the 5th of February, 2011 to paddle a circuit in the Currumbin Creek for 24 hours nonstop to raise money for these people. Hosted by Roar Waterman’s and the Jamie Mitchell School of Surf and Paddle a donation from every paddler saw over 250 paddlers taking to the water throughout the 24 hour period.
Paul “Jacko” Jackson – International Naish team rider – paddled the entire 24 hours without leaving the water and covered a distance of 145 kilometres, (almost 3 crossing of the Molokai Channel) an outstanding achievement, BUT he was not alone as Kelly Margetts (a Gold Coast lifeguard) and Tim Brimblecombe (editor for a local newspaper) also paddled the 24 hours only stopping briefly to get relief from cramps.
The generosity of the community was just tremendous with a local cafe (Juicy Bits Cafe) donating breakfast and the chef to cook it for all the competing paddlers and their supporters, surf wear companies donating clothing for raffles, a camping store donated hats, board companies donated boards to auction, and the list goes on. The amount raised is still being tallied but is expected to reach at least $12,000.00.
FANTASTIC EFFORT AND WORLD CLASS ATHLETES!
Words and Photographs by Pieter Plooy
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