One thing you learn after undertaking a few adventure activities is that success often depends on planning and preparation.
While the pursuits of personal betterment and charity work are worthy undertakings in themselves, when they are combined you have the recipe for something extremely fulfilling.
These two elements are at the core of the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic, a 111-kilometre canoe marathon on the Hawkesbury River.
Now in its 33rd year, the marathon tests endurance, raising $185,000 for the Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation last year and raising more than $2 million since its inception.
The money gives hope to people with diseases treatable by bone marrow and adult stem cell transplants.
Organisers describe the classic as a 'fun event with a serious purpose'.
While the marathon is undoubtedly serious, to characterise it as 'fun' is slightly misleading in my experience.
At 111 kilometres, it's not for the faint hearted and some careful consideration when selecting your boat, equipment, appropriate food and the support of a land crew is paramount if you're serious about completing the marathon.
Starting at 4pm on September 26, 600 paddlers converge on the banks of the Hawkesbury River at Windsor and if successful, finish at the Brooklyn Bridge at the F3 freeway the following morning.
Having barely completed the event at the age of 15 some years ago, I am ashamed to admit my initial reaction was not one of elation when my brother asked me to join him for his first Canoe Classic.
Back then I was ill prepared for the trip and a combination of cramps, poorly selected food, unrealistic expectations and a lack of training hampered the journey, which a my friend and I completed in just under 20 hours.
The constant stream of boats overtaking us as we made our way down the river was not the best morale booster.
During that journey we endured the full effect of the tide as it slowed our progress in the early hours of the morning - the time when your body is begging you to stop at a time when you would otherwise be sleeping peacefully.
This time would be different.
We began by testing various canoes - the first few proving to be unsuitable due to a lack of
stability.
After much trial and error (including one capsize), we were fortunate to borrow a Mirage 750 from another crew who were unable to compete.
The Mirage is an ocean going kayak that offers a great compromise between speed and stability.
As part of the TAS contingent we had before us a schedule of about 10 practise events on Dumaresq Dam with one extended 40-kilometre night trip on the Clarence River at Grafton.
The Grafton practise enabled us to become accustomed to the boat, experience the challenges of nighttime canoeing and trial different snacks to gauge their suitability.
On the Hawkesbury I took a swathe of Weet-bix, which I attached to the side of the canoe to the bemusement of other competitors who wondered how they could be consumed dry.
Also bananas, light snacks like muesli bars and nuts to keep things ticking over and an ample supply of water to keep hydrated and prevent muscle cramps.
Life jackets are essential, as is thermal clothing to beat the cold and gloves to ward off blisters during the 50,000 strokes we endured to get to the finish line.
The start of the Canoe Classic is staggered according to different teams and boat categories and we began in ideal conditions with little wind and smooth water.
There are numerous checkpoints you must reach to alert organisers of your progress and to avoid getting lost.
By the time we arrived at our first stop we were more than a little tired as the light began to fade.
This is the point where many paddlers become more realistic about the likelihood of finishing as they grab something to eat and meet their land crew for a pit stop.
With two main stops during the journey competitors may shower and resupply their food at the main 65-kilometre stop, Wiseman's Ferry.
Fatigue really sets in at this point and muscle soreness was a concern for me, although it was abated to some degree by the hot shower and a fresh set of clothes.
I can say with confidence that a small cup of chicken soup is terrific, while pasta and a hot chocolate are sensational at the time, but regrettable as the tryptophan they contain encourages you to go to sleep - not that you need any.
Most paddlers make it to Wiseman's Ferry but for some people, cramps, injury or just sheer exhaustion hamper their quest to finish.
One of the great things about the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic is the camaraderie and support you receive from other paddlers urging you on in the early hours of the morning when your physical and mental capabilities are spent.
As you make your way further down the river, it opens up into a vast expanse of water more akin to a lake than a river.
Getting to this point, we knew we were on the home stretch as sunshine broke through the mountains.
Pulling into the home straight with the Brooklyn Bridge beckoning, you are forgiven for thinking that the finish is so near, but this last stretch seems to be endless.
We finished at the bridge at 7am as our land crew greeted us and it's here that paddlers swap stories about the challenges that were overcome during the night's journey.
As we hauled our canoe out of the water the only thing on our minds was sleep and satisfaction with our time - six hours faster than my last effort nearly a decade ago.
Preparation, a modicum of fitness and a terrific land crew didn't make the journey effortless but they did make it achievable.
The Hawkesbury Canoe Classic continues to draw repeat competitors despite the gruelling effort exacts.
It's a sports event with a serious purpose - to overcome your own challenge and give hope to others with far greater ones.
To purchase photos of the event, go to www.abbeydigital.com.au
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