Ten lifesavers from Long Reef Surf Life Saving Club on Sydney's northern beaches are putting in some intense flat water training this summer in the Red Cross -Herald Sun Murray Marathon.

The usual training drills include a 5 - 6 minute paddle out to a buoy, turn the boat around and catch a wave back into shore. This year the team decided to get out of town, take a challenge and do something a bit bizarre and unusual.  They are paddling down the Murray River as a relay team in an old training boat that weighs approximately 250 kilograms. 

The Red Cross - Herald Sun Murray Marathon is the world's longest flat-water canoe race.  Paddling 404 kilometres over 5 days starting in Yarrawonga on 27 December in finishing in Swan Hill on New Year's Eve.  There are 748 paddlers, 250 boats and over 3000 support land crew travelling as a big tent city along the Murray.

Rob Pearson, club president describes the event as a good challenge offering lots of rewards.  "It might seem a bit daunting at first but it is a great training exercise.  The endurance element enables the crew to develop technique and work together as an efficient team," said Rob.  "The event is also very sociable.  We get to know each other as a team as well as meet other paddlers from around the country."

It hasn't all been just practice and training.  On day one the crew offered a helping hand and rescued several paddlers who had capsized due to the intense weather conditions, the strong head wind causing many paddlers to end up in the water.

Rob Pearson also described the marathon as a great way to continue to promote water safety with the life saving boat heavily branded with the 'swim between the flags' message.  "There have been no lives lost on our beach in the last 54 years," said Rob.  "It's such a waste of life when someone drowns so our message is simple yet effective, swim between the flags"

The Red Cross Murray Marathon is aiming to raising $200,000 to help local communities during times of emergency.  "The funds raised from this event are crucial to providing services for the most vulnerable in our community," said John Powell, Group Manager of Fundraising, Australian Red Cross, Victoria. "The Red Cross would not be able to provide essential services such as disaster support and emergency response without the funds raised through this event."

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