by 
As the sun rose over Scotland Island, and the palpable excitement filled the air, Mako Paddle Club clambered out of their cars after a 4am start, bleary-eyed, yawning and very much looking forward to their first Beiloon experience.
Beiloon Wasn’t a Lot of Things
- An 8km race course. It was in fact 10kms.
- A race with 18 crews. In fact there were 17. Mako had only 1 crew who raced back-to-back 10km races with no break.
- A civilised race with swapping halfway through, drink breaks and a chilled out vibe. It was none of those things.
What Beiloon Was
The most extraordinary display of #Makomojo ever seen in the decade of racing around Scotland Island. A tale to be retold in the hallowed halls of Mona Vale Brewery for years to come.
Warm up was a combination of karate, yoga and tree-climbing and the usual Mako shenanigans.
Jack really bought the Mako pride and showed off our resplendent white uniforms. So much so that Club Mama Shit-hot Cheryl crash tackled the young man to the ground, pinned his arms behind his head and ripped the shirt from him in order to take home and restore some Mako order. Mako Paddle Club sponsored by Nappisan.
Now Onto the Good Stuff
Race 1
Mako loaded up the first boat and took to the water, heading out 5th in a hard-hitting crew of 6 boats, with a very able Sal on the stick with some insider knowledge having spent the night sleeping on Scotland Island in order to recce the course. After a cracking start, Mako were out of the blocks, weaving their way through yachts, jet-skis, tinnies, commercial traffic and kayakers like the best ping-pong Asian action to be found. In the first 2km, Mako had overtaken all 4 boats ahead of us, leading the pack around the island and out the other side.
We may well have gained more time were it not for Sal waving madly at her kids and Trav on the island Forrest-Gump style and ducking in for a quick Aperol Spritz. The crowds were on their feet in disbelief cheering home the little white club who left 5th and came back 1st with no other boat in sight. Well played Snappy, well played.
Race 2:
Barely able to stagger off the boat, Snappy switched sides and became Mako Bitey, and walked straight back onto the boat again to race their 2nd 10km race. The theme of this race was rhythm, and boy did Mako perform. Fluid, graceful and with controlled aggression, Jack and Charlie led the crew beautifully off the start. 3rd away, Mako overtook 2 boats in the first 2kms and took off around the island with DSA nipping at our heels. Cue Bear.
This wily fellow has been in the game long enough to know that sweeping is a battle of wits, psychology and perfect lines. Chuckling maniacally, Bear scraped paint off the boat as he pulled out his bag of tricks, and outsmarted, out-swept, and outwitted our hunters, who tried time and time again to pass. With 2kms to go the bellow was heard over the waters of Bayview in a deep and commanding voice……. “You. Shall. Not. Pass. ”
and none did. Mako again came home first to the standing ovation of the crowd.
The Heroes
There are many unlikely heroes on this day. To Bear and Sal who led their crews with calm and precision through tricky conditions, we salute you. To Charlie who stroked 2 x 10km races on the same side, you are one incredible athlete. To Trav, Aidan, Isaac our very own support crew in the tinny, you lifted our spirits more than you know. To our sprint rooms in both races who lifted time and time again, you are gold. To every single paddler who raced 20kms today at 100% intensity, you know what you did. To our butt skin I bid a fond farewell. And to the little club with the massive heart that can do absolutely anything because we believe in each other, I wipe a little tear, smile a massive smile, bow with a flourish and pump my fist in the air. #makomojo is here to stay and it is fabulous.
Oh yeah, and we came 2nd and 4th out of 18 crews. But that is not the story.
A massive thanks to the gang at Beiloon for a wonderful regatta, stunning scenery, cracking BBQ and the chance to experience such an event for the very first time.
