Former Yorketown vet Rod McEwin dwarfed by the majestic “River Murray Expeditions” vessel during his recent South Australian leg of his plan to windsurf the length of the river to raise funds for charity. PHOTO: Bob Warren

Rod is doing the trip in stages as work, weather and river levels permit.

Twelve months ago, we reported his first South Australian “leg”; recently, he returned to SA to wind surf from Greenways Landing (south of Swan Reach), through Mannum to Avoca Dell (north of Murray Bridge).

“The 110 kilometres covered makes up five per cent of the target river distance, so it was a successful 11-day trip,” Rod said.

“I had good weather and a fantastic ground crew, including Bob and Sue Warren, from Yorketown, foundation members of the ‘MacRod on the Murray’ land crew.”

He has now covered 435 kilometres of the river using either wind or paddle power!

Rod’s little windsurfing venture is not only a personal physical challenge, but is also helping to raise funds for the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW, the money donated earmarked for Aboriginal communities along the Murray.

“The support for this fundraising venture from South Australians has been very generous, and recently the first financial donation from SA reached the Research Council. This brings total donations to $3,800, 17% of the target, with the aim being to raise $10 for every km travelled down river,” Rod explained.

“When the weather warms up a little, the next river trip will being the Tocumwal area of New South Wales, where the current will be a great help!”

State of the river

With a constant barrage of information in the media highlighting the dire state of the river, we asked Rod for his impressions on this latest leg of his trip.

“As I travelled downstream, getting closer and closer to the lakes, I heard more and more tales of the effects of the lack of water in the river and mud banks that would normally have been underwater were well exposed,” he said.

“At some rest points I had to crawl through the mud on hands and knees to get to dry land — walking through the ‘quick mud’ was impossible, with the real danger of getting stuck!

“The river level was about two metres below normal. Jetties looked ridiculous — jutting out high in the air with dry land underneath. Pontoons and boats stuck on the banks looked as if they came from another era, one when water was plentiful.

“Whilst there was enough water for fishing and water sports, many boat ramps can’t be used as the ramp leads to muddy clay rather than water.

“Perhaps the saddest sight was a fully mature citrus orchard — all dead. Luxurious green leaves had turned to a crisp brown,” he said.

You can keep up with Rod’s progress down the Murray by logging on to [www.macrod. com.au] or to make a donation send to: Windsurfing on the Murray, The Accountant, NSW Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council, PO Box 1565, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012.