Are you interested in sitting by the banks of the mighty Murray River for three days over the Kings Birthday weekend, playing radio with old or new Friends ?

Do you enjoy being outside and doing something different or the magic or radio ?

Have you ever tried to count kayaks silently going past in the early morning fog, without falling back asleep ?

If so, then I’d encourage you to read on !

The AREG are once again seeking expressions of interest from volunteers to participate in providing radio communication for the Marathon Canoe Clubs (MCC) premier event the Riverland Paddling Marathon (RPM), to be held over the Kings Birthday long weekend from the 6th to the 8th of June 2026. Where intrepid adventurers paddle their kayaks and canoes from Berri to Morgan over three days, a distance of just over 200 kilometers.

Over the June long weekend, the AREG require a number of volunteers to assist with manning checkpoints, operating radios on various VHF and UHF frequencies, counting paddlers and capturing their numbers, while transferring this information to Net Control over a controlled net, who ensures no paddlers are left behind.

The AREG have secured accommodation locally just outside of Waikerie, which gives us access to a formal club room to socialise at each night, both Kitchenette and BBQ facilities along with a number of comfortable rooms including single, double, dorm and family rooms with shared or separate bathrooms. There is also powered sites for caravans and tents. To assist with volunteer costs the AREG and MCC provide generous subsidies to offset the cost if fuel and accommodation during the event, details are provided separately.

The AREG is seeking between 22-25 volunteers for each day of the event and has already extended invitations to all past volunteers. For new volunteers we do not require any previous experience, an amateur license, a vehicle or radio gear, we prefer to pair new volunteers with other more experienced volunteers that have done the event previously to allow experience to be gained while actively participating.

There will be further updates and emails sent to everyone who registers their interest in the coming weeks. So thanks again for reading this far, if we have piqued your interest then we would love to hear from you using the URL below.

AREG RPM Volunteer Registration 2026

73’s

AREG RPM Organising Committee