The Paddle - 10km

The paddle start will be a spectacular scene with all kayakers starting together between the 2 piers at South Beach. We encourage all competitive paddlers to start to the left and all participants out for some fun to start to the right side of the start line. This will ensure no paddle rage occurs and everyone enjoys the event.

Like any lake it can get a little choppy if windy, you may also have to deal with the chop from your competitors, safety boats and maybe a few locals out fishing. Those proficient in the K1 can take their chances, as with all kayak events, choose a boat you don't feel tippy in as you won't enjoy your paddle.

Study the course map so you know where you're going, to fit in the 10km circuit there are 5 turns. There will also be a map at the start, a race briefing by the lake, marker buoys and safety boats on the water (one will be a lead boat), plus your fellow competitors to follow, unless you're winning of course!

You must wear an approved PFD, and appropriate clothing to keep you warm e.g. quick dry material not cotton. If you would like to hire a kayak, paddle and/or PFD for the event contact us as we have a range of kayaks for all abilities. The total cost is $50-$75 which includes all equipment and transport, you just have to do the paddling.

Vigor Kayak Hire
Peak Adventure Hire

The Road Cycle - 31km

The bike transition is 20 metres straight ahead once you ground your kayak anywhere on the grass. You head out the Lake Bullen Merri Entrance Road (nasty up hill to start) and turn left onto Naroghid Road. After a few undulations you turn left again onto the Camperdown-Cobden Road, caution with this road it's busier than the other roads we use, it also has a good downhill. A slight left onto Bowen Street and soon after another left onto Park Lane, this road offers magnificent views over Lake Bullen Merri to the left and Lake Gnotuk to the right, of course that means more 'undulations'. A left onto Cross Forest Road where you can put the head down and go hard, before a left turn back onto Naroghid Road. Remember when coming up to the Lake Bullen Merri Entrance on your first lap you don't have to go in, keep going straight on to complete another lap, hopefully faster than your first!

When you finish the 2 laps you turn left into the Bullen Merri Entrance down the hill (please take care on the sharp corner at the bottom of the hill), you go in the way you came out, rack your bike and helmet, put the runners on (or tag your team mate), and start your run around the lake.

This is a non drafting event, we expect all competitors to take it upon themselves to not cheat as it's not cool. If you receive a toot from the race official car consider it a friendly warning, if you receive 3 toots in a row it means you've had your warning and as punishment you have to do a 3rd lap of the lake ... it's only another 15.5kms.

The bike leg is your best opportunity to eat and hydrate, please take all you need as there will be no drink or feed stations on the course. You are also wise to have a puncture repair just in case, fixing a puncture in a longer event such as this is worthwhile as you may not loose a place.

The Run - 10km

The run exit is the opposite way to the ride, head west to the gravel road with the cattle grates, this road is relatively flat with a small incline on the other side of the lake. You head to the right at the top of the hill on the far side of the lake (to the left is the road you or your team mate just cycled on) and continue to follow the road until it ends at the lakes edge. You then follow the edge of the lake, sometimes going through gates but you will always have signage and marshals to ensure you go the fastest way. This is the technical part of the run, run on your toes to avoid rolling the ankles on the rocks and avoid the cow dung so people sit with you after the event.

When you reach the line of pine trees you will be directed up hill, this hill is more a scramble out of a crater so you appreciate you are racing in a crater! You then run along the lip of the crater past the 'Wuurong Homestead' and down the other side through the paddocks to the South Beach finish line.

We recommend you take some water and energy food with you on the run as it can take over 1 hour, especially if you've already done a paddle and ride.

Download the course map

Plenty of room for a mass paddle start, spectacular scenes for spectators.