Enthusiasm "far outweighed paddling ability" when EidosMedia's Lodovico de Briganti took to the coast near Norah Head, NSW, to raise cash for the Smith Family.
"Up to know we have raised more than $440,000 among the 36 participants and are aiming to beat last year's record of $480,000," he says. "Many kids will benefit from this and this should be the biggest driver."
"Perfect" weather favoured a course which started at Norah Head lighthouse and included a solid 6 km paddle along Lake Munmorah and a beautiful hike to Catherine Hill Bay for a "relatively quiet" first night, more serious hiking, biking, stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking to an island checkpoint and final paddle against the wind to Swansea.
"We came a credible fifth on the day with all the groups finishing within a half hour of each other," says de Briganti. "A well earned cold beer and some cheers from a few Smith Family kids helped make it all very worthwhile."
Donations are still open at http://thesmithfamilychallenge.com.au/?ldebriganti