Gippsland Water Dragons in Ord River Marathon

Crocodiles and rapids were never far from mind as 15 members of the Gippsland Water Dragons (GWD) and their support crew participated in the 2026 Ord River Marathon. The Marathon is a 55 kilometres paddle down the Ord River in dragon boats from the base of the Argyle Dam to Lily Creek Lagoon, Kununurra in Western Australia. It is Australia’s longest Dragon Boat event and one of the most gruelling in the world.

The Marathon is held on the second Sunday of June, is a ‘bucket list’ event with only eight teams being selected from around Australia to participate each year. The GWD crew added additional and longer paddling sessions to their regular training in the months leading up to the event to practice changing seats and seat by seat rest breaks while still reaching the average of 8 kilometres per hour required by organisers.

The Ord River boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in the Kimberley region and paddlers were not disappointed. The presence of freshwater crocodiles and rapids in the first 25 kilometres sharpened paddlers reflexes. There was some drama however when two of the boats capsized in the faster moving water and the support boat was called into action.

The next 20 kilometres were most gruelling as the paddlers tired, water became slow and the temperature reached 30 degrees. During the lunch break at the 45 kilometre mark a small number of padders in other teams were showing the effects of dehydration and exhaustion and required medical attention. Two boats had to be towed the last 5 kilometres of this stage to reach the designated time for lunch.The GWD boat made the lunch on time and intact apart from some with blisters and tiredness.

The final 10 kilometres led passed Elephant Rock, where a group photograph was taken, and into Lake Kununurra and finally docking at Lily Creek Lagoon, to everyone’s huge relief.

The GWD crew consisted of Kim Costin, Sue Gray, Deb Clow, Denise McMillan, Dione King, Johann Ruth, Gary Shaw, Liz McCormack, Neville Clow, Amanda (Mooie) Rhodes-Andrews, Sue Morrison, Deb Marcius, Jan Wehrmann, Bernie Drake, and Sally Shaw. The support crew on the boat was made up of the ever-vocal Coralie Nichols, Brian Gray and Bernie’s mate, Dean who was leading the Bernie Drake fan club.

Pam Jarvis, who had withdrawn at the last moment and Francis Foster, who passed away in the months leading up to the event were with us in spirit. The crew along with our other supporters Peter Marcius and Alan Morrison celebrated Francis’s contribution to the club with a toast of her favourite Ballantine’s Whisky.

Sue Gray and Neville had the job of sweeping. Sue negotiated the fast water at the beginning, calling several ‘Power 10s’ to expertly negotiate the rough water and wake of the support and official photographer’s boat, and for the last 10 kilometres to the finish. Neville swept in the grinding middle section. Club Coach and boat manager, Kim Costin stroked the first section along with Sue Morrison. Gary and Deb Marcius stoked the second section. Gary summed up his experience by saying, ‘This was by far and away the most extreme and sustained physical activity I have ever experienced but I am so glad to have done it’. Denise and Dione, the crew DJ, stroked the final leg for the photo shoot at Elephant Rock and through to Lily Creek lagoon. Believe it or not they produced a few more ‘Power 10s’ to test the all the training the crew had done leading up to the day. Dione commented. ‘What a fantastic experience, the scenery was extraordinary and the camaraderie between fellow paddlers from throughout Australia was wonderful’.

Jan reflected on her experience, ‘For me personally, there were two moments along the way The first was when we stopped and were just floating along waiting for capsized boats. It was quiet. For just 10 seconds or so I looked around and took in the magnificent surrounds and thought what an incredible, amazing experience to be part of. So wonderful to share that as a team, and grateful to have had the opportunity……and then we were on our way again.

The second was when we joined with seven other boats at Elephant Rock. It was the only time we came together as a group since the start. We were almost there, and it was a buoyant, colourful, festive moment. Our team was part of something special’.

Congratulations go the Ord River Dragons, based in Kununurra, who organised and hosted the event. The Dragons are only a small club, but each year manage to put together an extraordinary experience that remains in the memories of all that participate.

Side note

For the record Strava indicates that the GWD crew actually paddled a total distance of 58 kilometres, not the official marathon distance of 55 kilometres, at an average speed of 8.4 km/h. This included the extra distance we paddled while waiting for the capsized boats.

Also, the Dirty Oar Company, who the club used to design and produce the Ord River Marathon shirts requested permission to use our photographs for marketing purposes.

Author - Gary Shaw