A TEAM of wounded war veterans were given kisses and cheers in Brisbane after finishing a gruelling 1000-kilometre paddle-powered voyage from Sydney.
The 23-strong group completed the first Mates4Mates Sea Kayak Adventure Challenge in just 21 days by paddling up to 70km a day.
Family, friends and more than 100 dignitaries greeted them when they arrived, sweaty, tired and triumphant, at Brisbane's Riverside Centre on Saturday.
Kayaker Corporal Tyson Murray, who has suffered PTSD since two of his mates were killed in Afghanistan in 2010, was looking forward to a beer after finishing.
He said camaraderie helped them battle physical challenges including three-metre swells and 30-knot headwinds.
"When you looked across and saw the other boys fighting through that and pushing through, that was what gave you the drive to keep going," he told AAP.
"You don't want to be the one that lets the team fall behind."
Sharks they saw also kept the team moving.
"Every bump on the bottom of the boat was enough to get the heart racing," Mr Murray said.
The adventurers left Sydney on October 19 and averaged 50km a day through ten hours of daily paddling. It meant Saturday's 20km Brisbane River leg was easy.
Sapper Curtis McGrath, who lost both legs in a blast in Afghanistan last year, had his mum and dad urging him on from the support team boat.
"Your hands and shoulders get really sore, there's wicked blisters, and sitting on your bum for hours on end can be really uncomfortable," he said.
Team leader and former army PT instructor Ricky Dumigan said: "I've seen during my time in the army what these guys are going through, so it's been a privilege to take them on an incredible journey."
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