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THE BIDGEE BASH
THE BIDGEE BASH
2027 Paddle NSW Marathon Series Race - Round 1
2027 Paddle NSW Marathon Series Race - Round 1
Wagga Bidgee Canoe Club's 2027 Paddle NSW Marathon Series Race, The Bidgee Bash, will be held in Wagga Wagga on Saturday 30th Jan 2027.
The Marathon Series offers paddlers ten races on waterways around the state, with each race hosted by a local club. Various distances are on offer, with time-based divisions ensuring paddlers are racing against those of a similar standard. For an overview of all the state races, click here.
The Bidgee Bash offers competitors three distances to choose from, see below:
Race Details:
Race Details:
Date: Saturday 30th Jan 2027
Location: Wagga Wagga NSW
Race distances: 26km, 17km and 7.5km - all down river
Event information and booking: WebsScorer Page or email waggabidgeecc@gmail.com
In a slightly different format to the lap races of most of the other PNSW Marathon Series races, the Bidgee Bash is a one-way, down river format on the Murrumbidgee River. There are courses for all Divisions, with 3 different starting locations.
The courses below should give times comparable to the standard divisions used at other races for 20, 15 and 5 kilometre distances. Unfortunately, this format does not readily support a 10 km equivalent course, so rather than shorten the distance (and reduce the enjoyment of a down river run) we've set the 10km Divisions to run on the 17km course.
The start time will be 11:00am for all divisions with the exceptions of Division 7 and Division 6, starting at 10:30am, Division 5 starting at 10:40am at Oura.
All times are in local AEDT
Divisions 1-7 will race from Oura Beach, Oura, to Wagga Beach (26 Km all downstream)
Divisions 8-12 will race from Braehour Reserve, Braehour Road, Forest Hill, to Wagga Beach (17 Km all downstream)
Division 13 will race from Eunony Bridge Reserve, Wagga, to Wagga Beach (7.5 Km all downstream)
For a sneak peak on what to expect, click on the link here, for footage of the 2024 Bidgee Bash.
26km Race: Starting at Oura (Sandy Beach).
26km Race: Starting at Oura (Sandy Beach).
Timing for this 26km down river race is similar to the time for a 20km lap race.
17km Race: Starting at Breahour Reserve.
17km Race: Starting at Breahour Reserve.
Timing for this 17km down river race is similar to the time for a 15km lap race.
7.5km Race: Starting at Eunony Bridge Reserve.
7.5km Race: Starting at Eunony Bridge Reserve.
Timing for this 7.5km down river race is similar to the time for a 5km single lap race.
Registration & Starts
On the day, please go directly to your start location and report to the race official who will mark you off and provide your race number. Please remember to hand your race number in at the end.
WBCC Race Officials will be at each start location 45 minutes before the start (9:45am at Oura and 10:15am at Braehour and Eunony).
The Race Starter at each location will give a series of 3 pre start verbal warnings to each Division/starting group. These will be at the 3 minute, 2 minute and 1 minute mark. Follow the instructions of the marshal located upstream from the start who will get you in your start group and tell you when to start moving slowly in the current down to the starting buoy and once satisfied with the line, the Race Starter will issue the instruction “Ready, Go”.
Please remain to the right of any red/pink buoys that you see on the river. There will be some near Braehour to separate Oura paddlers from the start groups at Braehour.
Safety
Lifejackets (PFD’s) must be worn by all paddlers at all times.
The VRA and Wagga Bidgee Canoe Club members will be on hand to support the event. There will be 3 safety boats positioned on the course. One behind the last paddler, one at the finish line and one other located between Braehour and Eunony, to provide assistance to paddlers if needed. All safety boats will be able to administer basic first aid and will have phone and radio coverage to coordinate a rescue if required. You may encounter an occasional small tinny fishing boat, so keep an eye out for their fishing lines.
The WBCC Race Officials at Braehour and Eunony will remain there until all paddlers and the sweep boats have passed that location. If you need to withdraw from the race for any reason, these 2 locations are good places to do that. If you require other land based support, where possible go to the southern bank (left hand side) as vehicle access is much easier from there.
#####!! IMPORTANT - PLEASE REPORT ANY MATTERS RELATED TO RETIRING FROM THE RACE !!######
All paddlers must make it known to other paddlers and the VRA rescue boats if they are exiting the race, or are experiencing any difficulties - mechanical, medical or other issues.
Any paddler in difficulty must be assisted by those in the vicinity, and any time taken to assist a paddler in difficulty will be considered through normal redress processes.
Passing
When a verbal warning is given to a boat about to be passed, that boat should not deviate from its course, and should allow the approaching boats to pass with safety. Boats should pass on the port (left) side unless there is no other option, and must give the slower boat adequate clearance so their progress is not hindered. Responsibility rests with the overtaking boat to do so in the safest possible manner.
Food, Drinks and Toilets for Race Day.
Food, Drinks and Toilets for Race Day.
Oura has toilet facilities at the reserve. For foods and drinks see below Braehour and Eunony options. You will pass Forest Hill Shops and the BP on the highway if you are coming from Canberra, Sydney etc. People coming from the south or west have a myriad of options along the way, Google it or give us a call if you need a bit of local assistance.
Braehour Reserve has no toilet facilities, though the Red Mandolin Café at 3/34 Allonby Ave Forest Hill is a good place to duck in and use their facilities. The Red Mandolin has a takeaway menu and they're happy to take a phone order on your way into, or out of Wagga Wagga. Give them a call on 02 69227255. They have great coffee, a range of burgers, kebabs, fish and chips, toasties and fresh sandwiches. Please note they have EFTPOS, though there is also an ATM nearby.
The Forest Hill shopping complex has ample parking and a local Foodworks for your last minute needs. The turn off to Braehour Reserve is at the bottom of the hill down from the shops heading into Wagga Wagga.
Eunony Bridge Reserve has no toilet facilities, The is a BP service station at the roundabout where you will turn off the highway to go to Eunony Bridge Reserve. They have toilets, food and drinks. This is a standard BP with the usual café style fast food or pre-packaged options.
Cold drinks will be available for purchase from the Wagga Bidgee Canoe Club canteen at Wagga Beach. There will also be a sausage sizzle on Saturday and Bacon and Egg Rolls for sale on Sunday at the Bidgee Dash Criterion Race. Both cash and card will be accepted. The parking lot at the beach sometimes has a food van located near the playground equipment with coffee, food items and other refreshments available for purchase.
Post Race Bus return to start locations.
Post Race Bus return to start locations.
A mini bus has been booked to support paddlers needing a lift to their starting locations to collect their vehicles. Please indicate on your registration if you will need to use this service so we can plan accordingly.
Post Race Dinner and Drinks: Palm and Pawn Hotel, North Wagga.
Post Race Dinner and Drinks: Palm and Pawn Hotel, North Wagga.
A booking has been made for up to 50 people on the night. Please let us know via your race entry if you intend staying and joining us for a a bite to eat, a well earned beverage and a catch up with other clubs and paddlers. The Palm and Pawn Hotel is located in North Wagga at 68 Hampden Ave, North Wagga Wagga NSW 2650. They also have accommodation and a courtesy bus that operates from 5:30pm until close.
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