Enjoy the CDU Newsletter

Published: Fri, 03/04/22

4th March 2022 CDU Newsletter 740

Terry 0417977330

terry@canoeingdownunder.com.au (email)
https://canoeingdownunder.wordpress.com (website)
https://www.facebook.com/canoeingdownunder/ (facebook)
https://terrybolland.wordpress.com/ (trips & achievements)

This week I have paddled 284.92 kilometres bringing my total to 9584.94 kilometres in 39 weeks.

That's 9 months paddling every day.

I'm been averaging 40kms a day for the last four months.

Paddling for Prostate Cancer.
If you would like to give a donation to Prostate Cancer, big or small it will be most welcome.
Go to: https://fundraise.pcfa.org.au/fundraisers/terrybolland

Don't forget to enter the Australian Masters Canoe/Kayak Marathon.

They have extended the Early Bird entry period to Friday 11 March 2022!

So get your entry in.

All bird photos are taken from my kayak and are taken on a 15km section of the Swan River from Maylands to Midland and the suburbs of Ascot, Bayswater, Redcliffe, Ashfield, Bassendean and Guildford.

An Osprey having a bath.

Clean as a whistle.

Great Crested Grebe

The dolphins have been up river at least twice this week.

The sky on Monday night.

Who's Out There
Australian Masters Games - Enter Now
Schools Training
On My Paddles - Birds Along The Way
WA Sprints
Epic Products
WA Sea Kayak Festival
Coming Events

Who's Out There

Sheree Honore (her maiden name).
I was passing Sheree and her two children on the river Sunday evening. I said hello and she recognised me, although I didn't recognise her. Sheree took part in my Canoeing Down Under kayak courses in 2004 (nearly 20 years ago) and she still paddles the same kayak.
She entered the Avon Descent that year.

Genie Collin
My 2022 domestic season is over and I’m happy to have given my all - right until the last race.
In October I stopped working as a physio and decided to focus on my kayaking for a while. I moved from the Czech Republic to France to give myself better opportunities.
However, after having covid early January my recovery was slow and I struggled with fatigue and in the end blood tests indicated long covid. I’ve finished in 4th, and outside the senior team. I’m disappointed but unsurprised.

Tomorrow, after two and a half years, I’m finally getting back into Perth for some R&R then I’ll head back to France and prepare for my international season.
As always lots of thanks to everyone who’ve supported me.

Genie Collin

Jane Pankhurst.
Jane was Paddle Australia 2021 Paddler of the Year (Non-Olympic Discipline).
Jane is getting ready for the State and Australian Marathon Championships.
She is very focussed and determined.
Photo Steph Bedden.

Julie McDonald
Julie started paddling just over two years ago and she is loving it.
Julie is part of the AKC Progressive Racing Group.
She is now in training for the State Marathon Championships and the National Marathon Championships.
Having brought up two girls, who are now off her hands she now has the time to enjoy paddling.

Veronica Haarmann
Veronica was living in Melbourne before she moved over to Perth in September 2017.
Veronica is part of the AKC Progressive Racing Group.
She has paddled 11 Murray Marathons, a mix of relays and 1/2 marathons.
Veronica is now in training to compete in the next Murray Marathon.
She is an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.

Anita is Veronica's sister and she moved to Perth from Wodonga in April 2021.

Anita has done 8 Murray Marathons, a mix of relays and 1/2 marathons and has another Murray Marathon on her mind.
Anita is part of the AKC Progressive Racing Group.
.

Registrations for the Women of the Avon program are now open

Book Here: https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=268344

Australian Masters Games.

Be in it!

The 18th Edition of the Australian Masters Games will be held on the 23-30 April 2022 in Perth, WA.

The Masters Canoe/Kayak Marathon will be held on Sunday morning 24 April (singles) and Monday afternoon 25 April (Anzac Day) 2022 (doubles).

No portages are involved.

Venue - Ascot Kayak Club.

Early Bird Registration until Friday 11 March 2022.
(It's cheaper.)

Enter here:

https://australianmastersgames.com/

Early bird entries will go in the draw to win a
$1000 travel voucher.

We need paddlers and volunteers.

If you can help please let me know.

The WA Marathon Championships are on the 19th and 20th of March.

Paddle WA Training

School Students
take on Basic Kayak Training

Paddle WA Instructor Noah Boldy takes a school group on a wet Monday morning.

Paddle WA Instructor Clare Pankhurst and Jack Bushby run a schools course on Thursday.

The new slalom course is getting a lot of use.

WA Sprints

Photo Joel Baverstock.

Photo Joel Baverstock.

Photo Joel Baverstock.

Photo Joel Baverstock.

On My Paddles

Birds Along the Way

Sacred Kingfisher
I went looking for the Rainbow Bee-Eater and found this kingfisher.
Most of the kingfishers I think have migrated but there are still a few around.
Gone are the days when I could hear them chattering and flying across the river.

Rainbow Bee-eater
is one of Australia’s most colourful birds.
Rainbow Bee Eaters migrate down to Perth in early October to nest, before returning north after summer. They lay their eggs in an underground tunnel.

Whistling Kites have taken over an Ospreys nest on Ron Courtney Island.

Purple Swamp Hens having a fight.

The loser scampers away.

Red-necked Avocet

It was a rainy dull day when I took this one.

The Red-necked Avocet has a chestnut brown head and neck with a white eye-ring and a long, upturned, black bill. The rest of the body is white, except for two black streaks along the back. The wings are white, with black wing bars and tips. The relatively long legs are pale grey-blue. The sexes are similar, but the males have a more sharply upturned bill. This species is endemic (native) to Australia.

The Red-necked Avocet feeds on aquatic insects and their larvae, crustaceans and seeds. It wades in shallow water, sweeping its bill back and forth just below the surface to catch prey.

Common Sandpiper.

This one is tiny.

An Ibis.

Rainbow Lorikeet.

Bills up.
Spoonbill and duck.

Egret.

Darter drying out.

Black-Faced Cuckoo-Shrike

Immature Black-Faced Cuckoo-Shrike.

Egret & Darter.

Buff Banded Rail

A Purple Swamp Hen climbing a tree.
They are good climbers.

Crested Terns having a good laugh.

Laughing Dove
The nominate sub-species of Laughing Dove was introduced to south-west Western Australia from sub-sahara Africa in the late 1890s and has become well established in generally urban areas close to Perth and surrounding towns. Other sub-species occur in the middle-east and in India.

I have seen the dolphins up at Bassendean twice this week.

Epic Paddles

Club Carbon - $460

737g
Carbon fibre blade, Green oval shaft
Fully adjustable length & feather
Includes Paddle Bag

Epic 18x Sport Sea Kayak

The Epic 18X Sport is designed for intermediate to advanced touring paddlers seeking a distinct edge in a high-performance kayak. Paddlers find the stability and sleek, efficient shape of the 18X Sport to allow them to cover long distances with exceptional ease and speed, and that it performs great in rough water conditions.

In addition to all the features that come standard on an Epic, the 18X Sport includes the advanced Epic Track Master™ steering system, a day hatch, an adjustable seat, large storage capacity, and front deck cutaways for a closer, more efficient stroke.

SPECIFICATIONS

Length: 18' (5.48m)
Width: 55.88 cm
Depth: 28.6 cm
Capacity: 173 kg

17.5 Kg $5,200

I paddled 6300 kms across Canada in an Epic 18 kayak.
Passing through Ottawa.

WA Sea Kayak Festival 2022
25th - 28th March 2022 | Camp Grace, Busselton

Registrations are now open for the 2022 WA Sea Kayak Festival!

Busselton and the surrounds is a wonderful location offering paddles of all adventure levels, from the calm waters Geographe Bay to more challenging paddles off the coast.

Experienced sea leaders are there to support each trip. Qualified instructors will be available to help you learn new skills and experience the wonderful world of sea kayaking. A range of presenters (depending on Covid travel restrictions) will talk on their kayaking adventures. The Fest is a great way to be immersed in all things sea kayaking.

Registrations close on Friday the 11th March 2022.

Link | Link | Link | Link