One of the world's longest paddling races has returned after a two-year hiatus.

The five-day, 404-kilometre Massive Murray Paddle started in Yarrawonga this morning and will finish in Swan Hill on Friday.

This year's race features 110 paddlers across 50 teams.

Organisers say the event usually attracts about 300 participants.

"But in the grand scheme of things, it's still a big race," event director Shannon O'Brien said.

'Great experience'

Echuca College Year 10 students Martyn Currey and James Graham will relay down the river with paddling veterans Rod Clark and Tony Bond, who together form the Masters and Apprentices team.

The paddle starts with a 93km stretch from Yarrawonga to Tocumwal, followed by 94km to Picnic Point, 76.5km to Moama, 63.5km to Torrumbarry and 77km to Swan Hill.

Participants will swap at the end of each leg.

"It's a great experience," Martyn said.

Backing their boys all the way will be their dads, Dean Currey and Darren Graham.

"We're just here to feed them and give them water and take the canoes on and off and organise all those side things," Mr Currey said.

Participants mostly use kayaks, but there are some in canoes and even a stand-up paddleboarder is taking part.

"The ones that succeed [at stand-up paddleboarding], they're really the elite athletes," Mr O'Brien said.

Long legacy

The paddle – initially called the Murray Marathon – has been running since 1969.

But it was cancelled two years ago and postponed from last November to February this year due to COVID-19.

"We'll get back on track to the normal schedule in November. so there will be two paddles this year," Mr O'Brien said.

For the past seven years, the criteria has been changed to allow participants can raise funds for a cause or charity of their choice.

As part of the paddle, the boys will be raising money for Echuca CFA by collecting and recycling cans.

"Before this event, we were at $800,000 for six years," Mr O'Brien said.

"So hopefully, even though we have a much more reduced number of paddlers, we might raise a fair bit of money for charities and causes."