Paddler proud of sports award win

With nominations closing for the City of Rockingham’s 2016 Sports Star Awards, one of last year’s award winners, Brett McDonald, is reflecting on recent success.

The champion paddler was recognised with the John Brown Memorial Award after a stellar 2015.

He was part of the three-man team which became the first K3 to win the Avon Descent in its 42-year history.

With only 10 days to go until the 2016 Avon Descent, the reigning champion is hard at work once again preparing for the event.

This year he is set to compete in the K2 event and is hoping for a podium finish.

“I am paddling six days a week and spending the seventh day running or cycling,” he said.

“I live very close to Palm Beach so I spend a lot of time there during the week and then on the weekend I head to Ascot or Ravenswood where I paddle down the Murray River.”

A champion multi-sport athlete, McDonald dedicated himself to paddling after an injury put a stop to his running career.

“Being committed to just one sport I think has definitely helped me achieve so much success,” he said.

“In March this year I successfully defended my State Canoe Marathon Championships K1 and K2 titles at Ascot and then in April I successfully defended my National Canoe Marathon Championship K1 title in Queensland.

“At the championships awards dinner I was named Australian Male Marathon Paddler of the year.”

In May, McDonald set the course and helped to establish a new marathon paddling event — the inaugural Peel Paddle 50.

“This event was a marathon paddle from Ravenswood on the Murray River in which I also finished third overall in the solo division,” he said.

McDonald completed the WA State Canoe Marathon series with the highest accumulated points for all races and is looking forward to the series starting again later this year.

After the Avon Descent he will set his sights on the Collie and Augusta Adventure Races.

At last year’s Sports Star Awards McDonald was shocked when his name was called and made sure to thank his wife for enabling him to spend so much time training.

“To be recognised in a room full of people at the top of the sports was pretty special,” he said.

“Through my contacts in different sports I have spread the word and hope everyone knows how to nominate and get involved this year.”