16/09/2025
With this year's Lea Extreme Race wrapped up (for everyone else, not the organisers!) I'd like to formally thank a bunch of people who've made this happen. This was one of the best Lea Races I can remember.
We have very generous sponsors who support us in our goal to run a super fun race and build up grass roots kayaking.
I'd like to thank Ben from Horizon Line Canoes who once again made his way down to compete and support the race very generously.
I'd like to thank Natalie from Capacity Sports - Kayak & Canoe Specialists for coming onboard this year and we look forward to working with her into the future.
Antho from Cradle Mountain Canyons is a long-time supporter of our club and our sport and is always happy to help out.
James from The Kayak Shed came down to Tasmania again this year and it's always great to see him.
Rob van Tholen once again made all our beautiful trophies with Tasmanian native timbers and they came up as beautifully as ever.
I'd like to mention Bruce Baxter from Paddle Sports Australia, who couldn't come down this year, but we look forward to seeing him again in the future.
Thanks also to Sean Marler and the MWARD crew for the innovation of the River Level Game.
Thank you to Mark Oates and all the other people who took photos on the day. Thank you to Ceri and Matilda and the gang for the stencilling and artwork. Thank you to all of the on-river safety, who held a throw bag, and in some cases used it quite a lot on the day!
Thank you to the crew back at the Tasmanian Canoe Club, led particularly by Phil Tregurtha and Rob Van Tholen and John van der Woude.
Thank you to the guys doing the timing and start and finish of the race, Dave Boro, Nick Tyson, Pete Sebbage and particularly Paul Black, who did the counting and results.
Thank you to everyone who contributed a film to the The Australian Whitewater Film Festival or came along on the night to watch.
A very big thanks to the people who did all the actual work, particularly Russell Horton, but also Nors Corstophan, Callum Tregurtha, Andrew Jarman, and many more.
A random thank you to Sean Oliver and Andrew Houghton for all the work they do that helps make paddling in Tasmania better.
There are absolutely many people who did something to help make this year's event such a cracker and I apologise for the all the names left unmentioned.
I would like to finish by recognising the achievement of Dan Hall and Justin Boocock in once again winning the Lea Extreme Race. Over the years they have seen off some pretty serious competition and aren't getting any slower despite the progression of age. I feel very confident in saying that it's going to take some very dedicated competitors to knock them off their perch.
Thanks again for a wonderful event and I very much look forward to next year's race.
Harry
