The 15th Gippsland Lakes Paddle Challenge was held last Saturday in perfect conditions with nearly 200 competitors taking to the waters.
Competitors came from across the region, beyond Melbourne and interstate, battling it out on vessels such as surf skis, ocean racing skis, plastic skis, outrigger canoes, stand up paddle boards, prone paddle board, SLSA racing boards, Hobie kayaks, sit on top kayaks, sea kayaks, canoe surf boats, St. Ayles skiff and coastal rowing boats.
Competitors started from either Metung, which was a 13-kilometre course, while the more elite competitors took on the 27-kilometre Paynesville race.
The event is one of Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance's main annual fundraisers and this year had a new major sponsor in REVO Kayak Australia.
The tide was running out at a fairly rapid rate which helped paddlers achieve good times.