Tea Gardens will see the return of the iconic Myall Classic Canoe & Kayak Race on Saturday 12 September.

The Myall Classic is firmly established as a major ultramarathon race on the NSW Paddlers Calendar.

It is held on the Myall River each September, taking paddlers 47km, from Tea Gardens to the Myall Lakes and return.

The event was conceived to raise funds for the Cure for Life Brain Cancer Research Charity, and continues this year contributing to the renamed ‘Cure Brain Cancer Foundation’.

In 2014, the event attracted nearly 300 paddlers, far exceeding the expectations of organisers, and this year promises to be equally as popular.

The event offers three distances, 12km, 27km and 47km, and is seen as a perfect shakedown for the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic held in late October.

The Myall Classic offers paddlers a safe, though testing course against the stunning, unspoilt backdrop of the Myall Lakes National Park.

The event is a major tourism draw card for the region.

According to Great Lakes Council’s Tourism Coordinator, Ms Sharon Bultitude, “Great Lakes Council is excited to continue its support of this iconic paddle event. It is expected that the event will bring in well over $200,000 to the local economy.”

“Some competitors will come earlier and some will make a short break out of it. This way they get to relax afterwards and hopefully get a chance to also enjoy the wonderful activities and spectacular natural attractions that Tea Gardens, Hawks Nest and the Myall Coast have to offer,” she said.

The event headquarters will be located at Anzac Park, Tea Gardens.

For further information contact Tony Hystek, Event Director PaddleNSW on 0409 229 994.

(Gallery of photos from 2014 Classic)