EARLY START FOR IRONMAN'S CHARITY PADDLE

July 9: Gold Coast ironman Nathan Henderson has decided to move his fundraising paddle from Byron Bay to Burleigh Heads forward by a week to take advantage of favourable surf and wind conditions.

Nathan, who is taking on the 70km ‘A Paddle 4 Little Warriors' to raise money for the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation in Brisbane, will now leave Byron's Wategos Beach this Saturday, July 11, at 7am.

He will complete the paddle, expected to take 6-7 hours, using four different craft - an OC1 outrigger, paddle board, stand-up paddle board and surf ski.

The inspiration for the gruelling journey is three-year-old Matarae Royal, the son of Henderson's cousin Jesse Royal, the New Zealand Warriors rugby league forward.

Matarae is battling Burkitts Lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system, and is undergoing a course of chemotherapy.

"It doesn't matter how hard it gets for me during the paddle, it is nothing compared to what Matarae is going through," Nathan said. "He doesn't really understand what's going on but we're a close family and I wanted to do something to show my support.

"I had planned to do the paddle on Friday next week but the weather predictions are for much better conditions this weekend so we've brought it forward.

Nathan, who has previously competed in the 50km Molokai paddle board race in Hawaii, decided to use the four separate craft as an added challenge and to ensure he stays healthy for the entire journey.

"My aim is to change to a different craft about every 15 kilometres," he said. "Each craft is the fastest in its own category and each requires me to use different muscle groups which should stop me getting repetition injuries.

"I'm confident I'll be able to finish the paddle, I'm just not sure how long it will take." Nathan's best estimate is that he will arrive at Burleigh Heads beach about 1pm to 2pm.

Nathan is aiming to raise at least $5000 for the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation. Donations can be made at www.everydayhero.com.au/apaddle4littlewarriors.

CHANGE OF PADDLE DETAILS:

 

Depart 7:00am        Wategos Beach Byron Bay to Brunswick Heads OC1 (outrigger) - 14k

Saturday July 11     Brunswick Heads to Cabarita - Paddle board - 20k

                                    Cabarita to Kingscliff to Burleigh Heads - Ski - 24k

Nathan's expected arrival time into Burleigh 1-2pm Saturday July 11