The scene was set for the Boree Regatta Kayak Marathon, scheduled to start at 7:30 am...

Our very own Antonella had arrived at 7:15, ready to represent 1st Leichhardt. There was just one small problem…

There was nobody else there!

At 7:20 am, another boy finally appeared, and the organisers began wondering whether they were about to preside over the smallest kayak marathon in Boree history. With only two competitors, they even joked about settling the whole thing with a game of rock, paper scissors. Perhaps a regatta victory was going to be easier than we imagined!

But then, at 7:25 am, everything changed.

Competitors began arriving in numbers. And not just any competitors! Two Scouts appeared looking like professional athletes, complete with their own life jackets, lycra tops, hydration packs and gloves. Suddenly, this wasn’t going to be a friendly paddle between a couple of kids. Our odds had taken a serious turn for the worse!

7:30 am. The starting line. The tension was rising.

As some competitors wrestled with their kayaks, trying to get themselves organised, Antonella was already well  on her way!

She powered off the starting line, quickly taking the lead. Around the point she went, then onwards towards the second rock wall on the other side. With every paddle stroke, she stretched her advantage. The other other Scouts were left chasing her wake.

Then came the turning point. Would she tire? Would the challengers catch up? Would those fully equipped Scouts finally unleash their secret racing skills?
Not a chance!

Antonella swung her kayak around the half way point and launched herself back towards the finish line, somehow finding an even faster gear to get home. From the shore came the cries of her fellow 1st Leichhardt Scouts, cheering her on with all the enthusiasm they could muster. And leading the charge was one particularly enthusiastic Scout Leader, whose vocal support may well have been heard in neighbouring suburbs!
The finish line was fast approaching. The crowd watched. The paddles flashed. The tension mounted.

And then…

Antonella crossed the finish line, not by a nose, not by a kayak length not even by a comfortable lead.

She finished more than 100 metres ahead of the second-place getter!
So much for rock, paper, scissors, so much for the competition looking fierce. And so much for those impressive paddling gloves and lycra tops!

Congratulations, Antonella, on an outstanding victory for 1st Leichhardt!

You showed that with a bit of  determination and the courage to give it a go, you can succeed,
Well done, Antonella. You did 1st Leichhardt proud!