At our recent AGM John Hales and Ron Blum were awarded life membership of the Marathon Canoe Club. Committee members Roger Magor and David Speck have put together some information about these two paddlers to give some indication of their contribution to the sport.
ÊIf you ever want anything invented, made or repaired just quietly mention it within earshot of John Hales and he will likely offer to have a go! Such is the skill, ingenuity and helpfulness of the man that he has made canoes, trailers (including the current Marathon Canoe Club trailer) a multitude of racks for cars, canoe storage, and many other ingenious creations. John has recently been bestowed the honour of Life Member of the Marathon Canoe Club This honour truly fits his contributions to the club, to canoeing and to canoeists across the nation.
When he was fourteen he built a canvas covered canoe which he launched into the old ten-metre wide Port River at the point which is now the Òpower linesÓ of West Lakes. His paddling has continued and he now has a huge record of achievement, some of which is Ð
¥ 10 Red Cross 400km marathons (this includes being a team member of the first K4 Veteran class to complete the event, and also paddling three events in a TK2 with Ted Jackson, the last when Ted was 80 years old)
Ê¥ 11 Murray 200Õs in TK1or TK2 (with a range of partners including Ted Jackson (5), Roger Magor, Graham Mitchell, Phil Williams and Ron Blum)
Ê¥ 6 Murray 100Õs
Ê¥ 3 Duke of Edinburgh 24-hour Marathons (2 firsts, 1 second)
Ê¥ 2 24-hour National Canoe Relay Challenge
¥ 2 Six Day Ultra-Triathlons (2 days cycling-371km , 2 days kayaking-75km, 2 days running-105km)
Ê¥ Numerous times a state champion in TK1 and TK2
Ê¥ Multi-medalist in World Masters Games, Australian Sprint and Marathon
Ê¥ Paddled the Gordon/Franklin River (Tasmania) in a group with his mate Ron Blum.
Add to the above the fact that he is also a life member of the Southern Districts Hockey Club and the Onkaparinga Canoe Club.
In 2000 he was awarded the Australian Sports medal for services to sport. John is a doyen within local paddling and a friend to everyone. For years he has served the Marathon Canoe Club as Treasurer and Equipment Officer. He has towed the canoe trailer all over the nation so that paddlersÕ canoes and equipment arrive at the correct place at the correct time. He maintains this equipment and stores most of it at his home. He is a Òfather-figureÓ at the Onkaparinga Canoe Club where he also maintains the equipment and was the main builder of the current club rooms. He regularly takes new paddlers to Òtry-outÓ and patiently encourages the young and the old to enjoy paddling as a recreation and an opportunity for competition. At the Onkaparinga Canoe Club no-one dares to take his parking place!! He estimates that he has paddled 50,000 kms (he meticulously keeps a diary) and has passed under the road and (former) rail bridges on the Onkaparinga about 10,000 times! What a record. But above all, John is a thorough gentleman and friend.
ÊJohn is justifiably proud to receive life membership but in typical style his main response was Òpaddling has been a big part of my life but the real joy has been the opportunity to paddle with, and compete against, wonderful people. Highlights of my paddling include opportunities to paddle with Ron Blum and the late Ted Jackson. To have paddled a 400 km marathon with 80-year old Ted will be something I will always treasureÓ.
Roger Magor
The chance find of a homemade canoe at Taperoo in 1944, when Ron was a ten year old, started what was to become a keen interest in paddling on flat water and in the sea. Ron recalls this ÒcanoeÓ was fashioned from a sheet a corrugated roofing iron and was very unstable due to it being higher than it was wide. When his dad saw this boat he promptly cut it up which probably saved Ron from a misadventure in the water. As a teenager Ron built two canoes (canvas on wooden frame construction) and in the 1970Õs when his children were old enough the family enjoyed paddling together in kayaks.
ÊThe sea has always been of interest to Ron, providing that extra challenge for a kayaker. He has paddled from Cape Jervis to Kangaroo Island on no less than six occasions and an open water group trip to Reevesby Island.
Prior to the formation of the Marathon Canoe Club Ron was in a group of social paddlers who went to the Murray and explored various back waters. These paddlers included Ian and Robyn Pope, Lawrie and Anthea Shem, Ted Misiewicz and Ron Bath. In 1984 the Marathon Canoe Club was formed with Ron a founding member, competing in the clubÕs first event the 28km Blanchetown to Swan Reach race. Twenty years on Ron once again paddled in this race and helped the Club celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2004.
When the Murray 200 event commenced in 1988, Ron was one of the first paddlers to compete and in 1992, together with Graham Voss and Graham Mitchell, was recognized for having paddled 1,000km in this event. In 1991 Ron volunteered his services as Chairman of the Marathon Canoe Club and under his leadership the new committee reinvigorated the club. Ron was the Murray 200 Race Organiser in 1993 and again in 1994 both being successful events for the club.
The Red Cross Murray Marathon also attracted RonÕs interest and he has successfully completed seven of these demanding ultra marathon events of 404km over five days. In one year Ron was in a K4, which was the first time a Vet 40 team had entered. The late Ted Jackson was another ultra marathon paddler who Ron admired and they teamed up for interstate marathons and Masters events. Ted was an unassuming man and Ron took the time and effort to have TedÕs Australian record for the longest inland waterway paddle to be recognised in the Guinness Book of Records. Ron has also freely giving his time and expertise to other marathoners paddling the length of the River Murray. He was a support paddler for Ron Bath when he started on his reverse Murray paddle starting from Goolwa. RonÕs experience on the notoriously changeable Lake Alexandrina proved invaluable when he paddled across the lake with Mick Alford who broke the record for the fastest Murray paddle in the early 1990Õs. In 1990 Ron guided Carol and John Wilson on the last day of their Murray paddle with Carol becoming the first female to complete the 2,400 km journey. Bill Robinson on his Murray adventure appreciated RonÕs support (together with other MCC members) when he crossed the lake in 2005.
ÊThe Marathon Canoe Club has always been part of RonÕs canoeing life and after a number of years on the committee Ron continues to serve the club as a very meticulous keeper of the club race records and competes in most club races. Ron has certainly earned his Life Membership of the Marathon Canoe Club.
David Speck
