26/05/2026
Paddle to the Max brings community together in honour of Max McKenzie
More than 80 paddlers came together at Fairfield Canoe Club earlier this month for the inaugural Paddle to the Max event, celebrating the life of young paddler Max McKenzie while raising funds for the National Allergy Centre of Excellence.
Held on Saturday 2 May 2026, the five-hour endurance challenge saw paddlers of all ages take to the water, with 11 competitors paddling solo and others competing in teams of two and four. Schools including Camberwell Grammar School, MLC, Trinity Grammar School and Strathcona were represented throughout the day, helping create a strong community atmosphere both on and off the water.
The concept behind the event was inspired by Max’s personality and love for paddling.
“It was a coach at our local club who came up with the concept, and it was something that hasn’t really been done before,” Max’s mother, Tamara McKenzie said.
“It really encapsulated Max’s spirit of life, he always did things ‘to the max’.
“He loved endurance and doing big things, so it fitted with that.”
Max first discovered paddling during high school and quickly found a sport where he felt at home.
“He wasn’t a kid who was into ball sports and traditional boy kind of stuff,” McKenzie said.
“When he found paddling, it was the first time he could be really good at a sport, and that made him feel good, he just loved being on the water.
“He loved that it was peaceful, and that he could take in the scenery at the same time as doing sport and exercise.”
The inaugural event exceeded expectations, with the paddling community embracing the challenge and the opportunity to honour Max’s memory.
“It was amazing, and he would have loved it,” McKenzie said.
“We got four schools there, which was amazing, and it really felt like a community coming together and embracing something new and different.
“There were a few kids who did the full five hours and others who competed in teams, but it was such a positive atmosphere all day.
“Among those competing was Max’s 15-year-old sister Lucy, an avid paddler herself, who teamed up with three of Max’s coaches to paddle 57.6 kilometres and win the Open Team of Four category.”
Across the five hours, participants paddled an incredible 1,152 kilometres, raising $1,152 for the National Allergy Centre of Excellence. The funds will support ongoing allergy research, prevention and treatment initiatives.
McKenzie said the success of the inaugural event had opened the door for future growth.
“We’ve got a little trophy with the kilometres paddled on it, and the plan each year is to try and better the previous year,” McKenzie said.
“The feedback was really positive, and people are already keen to get involved next year.
“We were a bit nervous that asking people to do a five-hour challenge might be too much, but people really embraced the idea.
“I think the momentum is there and we can definitely build on it.”
Paddle Australia congratulates everyone involved in bringing the first Paddle to the Max event to life, and looks forward to seeing the event continue to grow in the years ahead.
