Where did the idea of SUP4DCA come from?

SUP4DCA comes from the desire to challenge myself and help others. I enjoy seeing what I'm capable of and being able to help others. Plus there is the personal satisfaction of completing a long distance trip like this one.

Where will you be travelling from?

The journey will take me from Warwick in Qld, along the Condamine, Balonne, Culgoa, Darling and Murray rivers to the Murray Mouth in SA. This makes up Australia's longest waterway system.

How did you decide on the length of the trip and to use a SUP?

After already doing the Murray river by kayak in 2014, I had an interest in completing the Darling river as well. Rather than just doing the length of the Darling, I decided I wanted to reward myself with a significant finish, so instead of finishing at the Murray-Darling junction I decided to paddle through to the Murray Mouth. I also couldn't settle on a starting point so then I just decided to do the whole thing, and tick of Australia's longest waterway. The SUP board decision was made purely because I had already done a long trip with a kayak, and had never been on a SUP board before so thought it would be fun to try something new.

What drives you to undertake another trip?

As I grow older I realise how lucky I've been to have almost any opportunity available to me. Like anyone I've made some good choices and some bad, but I've always had the choice to make my own decisions. So being able to help give someone the opportunity to choose what they want to do, to let them grow up and be themselves is what I'm trying to achieve.

Will you be paddling alone?

Whilst I will be completing the length of the trip alone, I will be aided by a support crew and I am encouraging as many people to join me for a day, a week or more of paddling as I travel down. I have also got a team working to promote SUP4DCA which will allow me to focus more on paddling and the most important of all I have the support of everyone following the journey.

What are you most nervous about?

I think with this trip the biggest worry is failure to finish it. With the health of the Murray-Darling basin currently under threat, I'm preparing for no current and in sections no water, which will make the trip that bit harder. No matter how much awareness and funds SUP4DCA raises, I'll personally be disappointed in myself if I physically can't complete the full distance.

What are you most excited about?

I'm looking forward to the challenge. Everything about the trip is exciting, even the parts that could and probably are going to go wrong (like having no water to paddle on). I'm looking forward to raising some money and promoting a great cause. Most of all I'm looking forward to the things I can't predict and just having some fun with it.

Final thoughts?

We are looking to get the first of our sponsors on board so we can start chipping away at the $60,000 goal. If you think you, your company or your friends company could help us achieve our goals, get in contact with us and we'd love to have you as a sponsor.