STOP PRESS

                                                                                                                                       DONATION STOPPED 


                                                                                                                                        TARGET $ EXCEEDED 

I HAVE STOPPED DONATION ON 11/06/19 AS PP'S TARGET $ HAS BEEN REACHED & EXCEEDED.

THANK YOU TO THE 18 WHO WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY AND DUG INTO THERE SKY ROCKETS TO ASSIST AND WHO WILL SHARE IN PP'S AUSTRALIAN REPRESENTATION AT THE COMING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.  I WILL KEEP YOU ALL UPDATED.

SUPER, MEGGA, UNBELIEVABLE, THANKS TO BEN SATTLER FROM RETO AIR https://www.retroair.com.au/ .  PP's MAJOR SPONSOR.
WOW PP IS STILL IN SHOCK AND WILL CARRY HIS BANNER ON MY BOAT, THE T-REX, ON PP SHIRT, CAR AND ELSEWHERE.

IT TAKES A FEW DAYS FOR THE CAMPAIGN TO BE CLOSED DOWN.

LOVYAS & SEAYAS

YOUR PADDLEPOP

p.s. one more assist please pray or wish for; PP's good health;favorable (PP) condition for The Race; a great start,  advancing middle and a blinding finish and not a finish to die for.









SEND   PADDLEPOP   TO
ICF WORLD CHAMP
FRANCE  SEPT. 2019

G’day I’m Paddlepop (aka Mark Gillett) and have just qualified in the 65+ years to represent Australia this September at the International Canoe Federation 2019 Ocean Racing World Championships in Saint-Pierre De Quiberon France.  Selection was based on results in The Australian Ocean Racing Series (AORS) from the best of 3 Majors and best 3 National Series races.  Under the approval/ governance of Paddle Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport I qualified second in the 65+ group and fourth in the 60+.

Paddlepop why?  A) I paddle B) I’m a pop as 9 years ago the first of my 4 beautiful grand children was born.  C) Both Paddlepop & Paddle Pop were created in 1953 in Australia.

We ALL have our little set backs, mine was in March 2014.   Five years ago at the age of 61 and 3 weeks after winning Silver in the 2014 Bridge to Beach,  my first ever paddling podium finish, PP suffered a STROKE resulting with a dead spot the size of a pea in my cerebellum, the balance section of the brain.  Then a week later, one day out of hospital, an extreme vertigo attack and back to hospital. Next week at home I collapsed at midnight on the way to the loo, collapsed onto a tile floor, fracturing my skull and requiring emergency open cranial surgery to cauterize a squirting vein.  Awarded for life a Titanium Medal in my head.

It was later found I had Atrial Fibrillation, a disturbance of the electrical heart system, this had thrown the clot to my brain.  My previously untreated sleep apnoea lead to the AF, AF to the stroke, dizziness/low blood pressure to the fall and open brain surgery.  After using a Cpap sleeping machine every night and 3 Pulmonary Ablation operations (up the groin and burn/scars fully around the inside of the hearts 4 main veins) over 12 months the AF was fixed.

2015 July PP was able to resume full training, 8 months later resulting in first B2B GOLD 2016.  Three years on this thrilling selection in the AIS – Paddle Australia Team under the Olympic recognised International Canoe Federation administration..... with full on drug testing etc.

PADDLEPOP's  SUPPORT TEAM  (part)  "Post Race Thumps-up"

My family, 5 Children (2 girls & 3 boys) my better half and PP have been involved in numerous sports with the whipper-snappers representing in different sport for School, Club, District, State and National levels.  

Due to my beloved wife’s understanding, and with her blessing, PP has been able to voluntarily assist in differing sports in administrative roles for approx. 30 years.   Touch Football-Coach/Mgr for girls, boys, ladies & mens - 25yr & Referee Co-Ord 6yrs.  Athletics /Little A- Throw Coach 10yrs- Age Mgr 5yrs- Director 4yrs.  League- Coach 6yrs- Director 3yrs.  Netball-Coach/Mgr 2yrs,  Rugby-Mgr- 1yr. Football (Soccer)- Coach 1yr. Swimming- driver & No1 supporter of Team GTS 15yrs. Cricket-driver 5yrs. Basket Ball-driver 3yrs. Paddling in the last 10yrs passing on my love/passion/training of Paddling to anyone who will listen, wanted to have a go, with a free, all equipment supplied dream PP escorted adventure around our stunning Harbour.

PODIUM WITH "CHAMPION MATES"

2007 - 12 years ago, PP first picked up a paddle, went out with a new younger mate Arnie (not real name) in a double sea kayak for a short 20 minutes splash, and I was hooked.  He inspired me, supplied the kayak etc, coached me (sort of) and encouraged my now famous (soon to be international) padding life. Eight months later we completed the overnight Hawksbury River Classic 111km Race in 11.5 hours. 

After another two Classics myself, Arnie & Danny (not his real name) in 2010 crossed Bass Strait. Unsupported in three single kayaks taking 12 days for the 320km island hopping, the camping exploration adventure of a life time. Actually 9 day paddling due to 100kph winds and 4m swells.   

On Flinders Island, one day, we climbed Mt Strzelecki 756m and then paddle 33km to Cape Barron Island.  All executed Eskimo Rolls in the middle of Bass Strait, video evidence. However, PP did capsize  4 times in 15 minutes, resulting in non-planned overnighter in small fishing hut on Roydon Island.

2013 B2B  "GO YOU GOOD THINGS"

                                                 TINGRA Rose Bay to South head "a coupla times".  PP Onboard the T-Rex (whos running on the water) 


SPIT TO ZOO START  "Bugger off JR, Mick, Bryan & others"


20 BEACHES 2018 OFF BARENJOEY HEADLAND         (PP was a tad wider, just out of view)


DOUBLE TROUBLE "SQUEEZE"


LION ISLAND CHALLANGE "Quick Kung fu finishing dismount" 


HIT ROCK BOTTOM - "whitewater kayaking.  Should have seen the helmet"

2013 saw PP’s first Ocean Ski experience on a skinny 44cm, light 12kg, long 6m, 3mm thick tooth- picks surf ski. Not a kayak.   As with all paddling momentum is your buddy, without which you swim, especially in an ocean ski.  PP often swam in the early days

PP also at this time started training on Sydney Harbour and out The Heads with Anchor, Gregalls and the other Spit Z Squad buddies.  Currently training 4 times week, 3 morning @5:30am for 1.5 hours on Sydney Harbour and out The Heads Saturdays with Deano’s Monsta sessions at 6:30am for 2 hours along the northern beaches coastline.  Each covering 12-18km.  50-60km/week

 Since 2015 PP has been in an Ocean Paddle squad run by Dean Gardner (a legend in the sport) and Yanda Morrison (an ex duel Olympian). The squad starts at 5.30am on Mondays and Fridays from Clontarf to Balmoral then elsewhere.  Catering for the not too flash to Australian Champions & Reps.
                                                                                                      
Throughout this period, PP has been competing in many events.   Paddle NSW Harbour and Open Water Series winning 2 Silver and 2 Bronze. 

A.O.R.S. held around Australia with 20 odd races every year including; ‘The Doctor’ which is a 27k race from Rottnest Island to Sorrento Beach Perth. The infamous 2017 race had wild winds 60kph and 3m swell, one competitor was rescued by a RAN submarine. https://www.9news.com.au/national/stranded-paddler-rescued-by-australian-navy-submarine/cdacf469-315d-40ac-ae04-3b33332e4af1
Another was in the water and blown 6km before being found, PP capsized a dozen times but finished.  

‘The 20 Beaches’ 20km (Palm to Manly).  PP's favourite ’The Bridge to Beach’  - B2B  from the Harbour Bridge down the harbour to Manly Wharf, O/60 results Gold in 2016 & 2018; Silver 2014, 2017 & 2019.