Paddlers checking a enormous rapid.
 

I'm glad we didn't paddle these rapids in our canoe.
 

In the mountains.

Leaving Whirlpool River junction upstream of the town of Jasper for a 4000 kilometre paddle to the Arctic Ocean.
 

We paddle several grade 3 and 4 rapids on the Athabasca River.

At Crooked Rapid water broke over the bow giving Tony a drenching but I soon skirted over to the right and into calmer waters. It was quite pleasing to have negotiated another big rapid. We knew that Rock Rapid was 500 or so metres away, and although we didn’t have any idea how to negotiate it, our confidence was still high.

All the big waves were on the left hand side of the river, so we kept to the right side which was still the safer. As we approached ‘Rock Rapid’ it didn’t look so bad downstream, but as we got closer I could see a bundle of big waves peaking and exploding like an erupting volcano a few hundred metres ahead. Knowing that we were heading for trouble we had no option to divert and as it now looked completely calm on the left hand side we headed over, foregoing the chance of getting out and checking our route.

It seemed safe enough to take the rapid on the left so as we moved across the river on an particularly swift current, our heavy canoe was being whisked away as if it was a cork. By the time we reached the centre, I suddenly noticed a flat line of water that spanned the whole width of the river and beyond it the river dropped and disappeared over the wide ledge. At the bottom of the fall there was a huge high wave waiting. We couldn’t escape to the safety of the left side as it was too far, the water too fast and the bank was actually lined by a vertical cliff and worst of all, we had come too far to go back to the right shore! The only way forward was straight towards the ledge. I looked beyond the ledge and thought shit – bloody hell…..this is a big one, we could be in trouble here.

Over the roar of the rapid I shouted to Tony to straighten up and just go for it. There was nothing else we could do. Our chances of getting through it seemed slim as it was one hell of a drop with a massive wave that followed. Although we could have been looking at death in the eye or at least be subject to a horrific capsize, I didn’t feel any panic or any real fear.

Tony put in two good strong bow draws strokes which brought the bow around, so within seconds we managed to get the canoe straight. We were soon at the top of the ledge with the massive wave dancing wildly before our eyes and I could only think of paddling strongly. We slid at great speed, down what seemed to be a giant water slide. The wave at the bottom was colossal. I shouted to Tony to paddle hard as we had to hit it with speed – oh shit……

As we headed down the ramp and towards the monster wave I expected to be sucked in and spat out. I still felt no fear and I don’t know why. Maybe things were happening too fast to sense fear or I just knew there was no turning around, and we had no choice but to deal with the situation. At the bottom of the slide we looked up to see the wall of water towering above us and it really didn’t seem possible to get through it without capsizing. The size of the wave was bigger than anything that I had ever been through before.

What goes down must come up and by hell we did come up. The heavy canoe charged through the wave and Tony got a walloping. For a fraction of a second he was gone, then the wall of water crashed on me holding me captive for a few seconds under the bubbling aerated mass of water. It took us a while to adjust our vision and see what was ahead as a waterfall of water was cascading down our faces. I was expecting another big wave but the next one was much smaller and we speared through it without problem. It was an amazing experience! We thought we were going to be gobbled up by the huge roller coaster and somehow we came out of it intact and still upright.

With a ton of water now held on the top of our canoe causing a little instability and Tony praying to any gods that would listen, the waves started to ease. It was hard to believe that we had gone through such a massive wave! But the rejoicing had to wait as the canoe was filling with water as it puddled on the full-length of the spray deck, drained into our laps and seeped through our leaky skirts. Although at the time of breaking through the waves the canoe didn’t feel remotely unstable as it started to fill with water it soon became much heavier, tippier and a lot harder to control.

As the river started to turn to the left we could see water falling off a small cliff. We desperately needed to bail out so landing on a rocky shore next to the waterfall and low cliffs was a bonus. As we pulled into the eddy we were pumped with excitement but most of all, we were relieved to have passed through the rapid without swimming. 

When we arrived at a long section of the Slave River Rapids which were grade 4, 5 and 6 if not higher we decided to portage.
 

Looking towards some of the rapids as we walk along the track.
 

The portage around the rapids was over 23 kilometres.
 

We put in below the last rapid

You can read the entire story here:

https://terrybolland.wordpress.com/three-rivers-to-tuktoyaktuk-stage-1/

Stage 2 here:

https://terrybolland.wordpress.com/three-rivers-to-tuktoyaktuk-stage-2/

Bolland's Elbow to Amiens

Wild Water Race

Steph Bedden powers off. 
 

Cody Pope and Phil Langley waiting for their turn.

It was a perfect day. 22 degrees, full sunshine and more than enough water to enjoy the Wild Water Race from Bolland’s Elbow at the bottom of Bells to Amien’s Crescent.

To save a car shuffle I decided (like always) to paddle from Amiens upstream to Bolland’s Elbow. It’s a 50 to 70 minute paddle depending on the water level. I had a practise run the day before, but the water had gone down so some of the short cuts that were only just covered with water would no longer be there. So it was good to check out those short cuts on the way up. A few other paddlers, Wayne Martin, Simon O’Sullivan and Luke Dooley had the same idea. It was a nice paddle, other than the rising sun dazzling me on some sections making me guess where I was going through some of the T trees.

A crowd was gathered at Bolland’s Elbow when I arrived and Kris Smith and his volunteers were there ready to give a briefing when everyone had arrived. There were a lot of picnickers arriving at Bells so I imagine it would be chaos later in the day.

Hunter Florisson was off first as he had to go to work and then all the juniors and wavehoppers were next. Hunter (16) was the 7^th fastest. He is entering his first Avon Descent this year. He is currently the top slalom paddler in WA and being a good marathon paddler as well he should do well.

Nina Mueller paddling into first place.

It was eventually my time to go. I had John Dinucci a minute in front of me so I had someone to chase. John 71, is a couple of months older than me. The first few kilometres are pretty open with little to slow me down apart from a few shallow spots. Within a kilometre I could see that I was catching John so that inspired me to continue to paddle hard.
By the time we reached the S Bend I was about 100 metres behind, but he ended up being pushed into some tree branches so I got closer. With another open section of river it was just paddle as fast as I could, which I did catching and passing John just before a tight section of trees near the railway bridge. The short cut that was there yesterday was still there, but a lot lower, however after paddling it on the way to the start I knew I could use it. (Apparently Simon O”Sullivan didn’t. I beat him). Apart from a tree with a small gap and the water current being slower it still appeared to be the fastest route. After passing the railway bridge and the Great Northern Highway Bridge I was into the most difficult section of river but nowadays it’s really not that difficult, but parts can be tricky.

I was getting closer to Danny Murphy and a couple of wavehoppers. I passed Kate Crossing just before a tricky section I call the Roundabout. It’s not quite as tricky in higher water so I fled through it at good speed. I then saw Jeannette stopped and then Isabell closing up to a tree section where Patrick Irwin was stuck on a small branch. I passed Isabelle and I was just about to go to the right of Patrick when he started reversing and blocking the route. I quickly edged to the left of him ducked under a tree, skimmed a bush with my right side and off I went.

I had expected that Grant Pepper would have caught me up by now as he only started 2 minutes behind me and unlike last year he is a much faster this year, but at that point he was nowhere to be seen. Danny wasn’t far ahead and as we headed through the ‘Gauntlet’ I could see Demi on the bank, apparently because she rescued a junior paddler she was looking after.

Danny was now in my sights with Maya Elston just in front of him with a junior paddler in front of her. Heading through the ‘Squeeze’ on the right side of ‘Amphitheatre Island’, I caught up with a junior paddler and continued chasing Danny and Maya. I was hoping to pass them before the end of the island where there was a tricky turn, but I only managed to catch them up. I was hoping they were going to paddle the turn without trouble so I didn’t have to slow down but something better happened. They both headed straight on into the trees with no way through leaving me to negotiate the turn without worry. I raced to the finish line and Grant still hadn’t caught me up. I was happy.

I turned and parked my kayak looking upstream and watched the faster paddlers sprint over the line and by the time Grant arrived he only beat me by 49 seconds which I was pleased about. I knew Nina would beat me, but I was hoping it wouldn’t be by much and it ended up being 52 seconds, which wasn’t too bad as she is fast and an excellent white water paddler. I  was much happier when I found out that Chris Little had only beaten me by .4 of a second.

It was another great race thanks to Kris Smith and his volunteers.

Isabel Combe after crossing the finish line.
 

Dave Worthy crosses the line in 2nd place.
 

Jeannette Busch crossing the line.
 

The timers. Beck, Scarlett and Peter with Bruce looking on.
 

Luke Dooley relaxes as he crossed the line in first place.

Results here:

First Time Avon Descent Paddlers

or paddlers new to white water - read on.

From My Book

Canoeing Down Under 
 

LEANING AND EDGING

• Leaning is a skill that is constantly used in white water manoeuvres such as the Ferry Glide, the Break-in and the Break-out. The ability to lean at the appropriate time minimises the risk of a capsize.
• The basic rule is that whenever you are crossing a current, you must lean the boat downstream. Leaning the boat downstream causes the upstream edge of the boat to rise, allowing water to deflect off the hull and pass beneath it. If the water is allowed to push the boat's upstream edge down, this can cause the boat to flip and capsize.
• If your boat comes broad-side to an obstacle, it is essential to lean downstream towards it, ensuring the upstream edge of the boat is raised. This will help prevent a capsize, and the possibility of the boat wrapping around the obstacle (see Rescue Chapter).

Edging is another important manoeuvre, which, combined with leaning, ensures maximum boat control. To edge your kayak, maintain your body in an upright position and use your knees and thighs to lift the boat's side out of the water.

Edging is more commonly used in advanced manoeuvres, and it is often hard to detect the subtle differences between leaning and edging in easier manoeuvres. Being proficient at leaning and edging is necessary, and it is extremely important that the paddler develops a natural feel for the river current and is able to apply the relevant skills at the right time. Incorrect lean is the most common cause of a capsize when learning white water techniques.

Ferry Gliding

across the current

2. Crossing the eddy line

Ferry Gliding

For more white water instruction go here:

https://terrybolland.wordpress.com/white-water-manoeuvres/

Birds Along My Way
 

It was hard to keep my kayak still as I was taking this photo this morning so it isn't very crisp but it does show that there is a young Whistling Kite in the nest.
On Ron Courtney Island.

The Whistling Kite appears to be monogamous, with some breeding pairs remaining in a territory throughout the year and pairs actively defend the area around a nest. The bulky nest platform is built of sticks in a tall tree and may be reused, growing larger over time. Both sexes build the nest and incubate the eggs (the female does most of the incubation however) and may breed two or three times a year. The young stay with the parents after fledging for about six to eight weeks.

Birds Australia.

A Coot and a Moorhen.
 

Dusky Moorhen
 

Pied Cormorant.
 

Crested Pigeon.

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