Ron Blum's 30th Blanchetown to Swan Reach marathon canoe race.

1. Blanchetown to Swan ReachBlanchetown to Swan Reach
Ron Blum’s 30 races withRon Blum’s 30 races with
friendsfriends

2. Ron’s fascination with paddled craft started very early
In 1944 Ron, aged ten, found a craft like this made from a single sheet of corrugated iron. It was very
unstable due to it being higher than it was wide. When his dad saw it he promptly cut it up

3. Living at Largs Bay there was
plenty of opportunity to mess
around in boats but what you
really need is a paddling mate.

5. In 1984 the Marathon Canoe Club
was formed and Ron, a founding
member paddled in the club’s first
event, the 28km Blanchetown to
Swan Reach event.

7. Since then, Ron has
paddled many marathons,
often with his paddling
partner John Hales.

13. Ron introduced David Speck to paddling in1983, they were soon checking outRon introduced David Speck to paddling in1983, they were soon checking out
new race opportunitiesnew race opportunities

15. In 2004 the Marathon Canoe Club
celebrated its 20th
Anniversary
with a special Blanchetown to
Swan Reach Race and of course
Ron was there.

23. Why not celebrate again – 2005 our 21Why not celebrate again – 2005 our 21stst
BirthdayBirthday

27. In recognition of his contribution to the club Ron was made a life member in 2006

28. 30 years of paddling this great race
with a great club and great friends.

36. Happy Christmas See you next year!Happy Christmas See you next year!