I went to Sydney last weekend to the Paddle Australia Awards Night as I had been nominated for the 'PA Master Paddler of the Year' and although I didn't win that award I returned with the prestigious ‘President’s Award’ so I was really happy.

The 'Master Paddler' is a tough Award to win as anyone from 35 years up can be nominated and there are some good older paddlers around.

WA paddlers brought home 8 Awards.

Paddler of the Year (Paracanoe) – Ben Sainsbury (WA)
Paddle of the Year (Non-Olympic Disciplines) – Michael Booth (WA)
President’s Award – Terry Bolland (WA)
Award of Merit – Kris Smith (WA)
Certificate of Merit – Shannon Reynolds (WA) & Jaime Roberts (WA)
Services to Paddling – Sue McDougall (WA) & Greg Kaeding (WA)

Please mum can we have some food?

• Paddle Australia Awards Night.
• Ascot Kayak Club 50th Birthday
• Birds Along The Way
• Coming Events - 
  Bevan Dashwood Race - The Duel - Moore River Race

A photo with Jessica Fox

Paddle Australia Awards Night

It was a 3.55am rise to have breakfast and get to the airport for a 6.00am flight to Sydney. All went well, Jenny dropped me off and I was through the Virgin gates in no time.

Having a window seat meant I could look down below, wander and dream of all the places I wanted to go next. A patchy cloud cover gave me glimpses of the land and later the cliffs of the Australian Bight which I have always wanted to paddle, but yet to materialise. There is only so many things and only so much time I have to cover all the trips I want to do.

I expected a TV in the seat in front of me to watch a film, but I suppose this was Virgin and only an internal fight, so I had to continue dreaming as there wasn’t one. We did get a free coffee.

Closer to Sydney the clouds dispersed giving my views of the sparse terrain, then the farms, fields, small acre properties before hitting the hills, cliffs and buttresses lining a long body of  water which I suppose was the waters of a dam. We soon left the catchment area of the dam and below were houses, industrial buildings and roads before leaving life once again and flying over the Royal National Park that featured steep cliffs, intermingled with amazing coves and lovely beaches. Here we headed out to sea before doing a left hand turn back towards Sydney and in line with the runway ahead of schedule

Jaime Roberts, Beau and Sara Lewis also stepped off the plane and we met at the luggage pick-up before walking to the hotel as it was said it was only a 11 minute walk. It's not an easy walk though as road fences and intersections didn't make a simple walk simple. But we had Jaime to guide us who had been here before. 

After negotiating road barriers and road intersections we safely entered the hotel. We checked in and went up to our rooms and I was pleasantly surprised I wasn’t sharing. A quick shower and I headed down to grab some lunch. Beau and Sara were already there and were good company. The specials were only $18.00 so I had steak and salad, which I must admit was pretty tasty and good value. I later returned to my room and had an hour or two to spare before getting ready and dressed up for the awards night which was in the same hotel.

Richard Fox at Harvey in the 1980s.

Richard was the MC for the night and did a good job.

Richard was 10-time World Champion (5 x K1M individual, 5 x K1M team) between 1979 and 1993. Richard won the then equivalent of the European Championship 4 times and was overall World Cup Series Winner 3 times. He competed at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics on the course at Seu D'Urgell finishing fourth. 

At 6.15pm I found the foyer, met Sue McDougal, Bec Florisson and Hunter who was also in Sydney to practise on the white water course and take part in the NSW slalom champs. I moved into the main room and looked for my name. I was on the same table as World Champions Richard and Miriam Fox, Olympian Shannon Reynolds, PA board member Cindy Coward (WA), PA board member Connie Todaro, and a couple I didn’t know but I think the lady was also an Olympian as Shannon seem to know her well. 

I had paddled with Richard and Miriam Fox at Harvey and shared several meals with them in the 1980s so although we hadn’t seen each other for over 30 years it was so good to catch up, even if it was for a short time.

Richard Fox was the MC so he didn’t get much time to relax. 
The evening started with recipients receiving the Certificate of Merit, Services to Paddling, and the Award of Merit which included 6 athletes from WA. Jaime Roberts, Shannon Reynolds, Yale Steinepreis (K4), Kris Smith, Sue McDougal and Greg Kaeding.

There was a short recess to have the first course which was tasty and Richard was back on stage starting off with the ‘Coach of the Year’, which Beau Lewis from WA was one of the nominees. Unlike all the Merit Awards only the winner of the ‘Coach of the Year’ was asked onto the stage. I thought they must have forgotten to call up Beau and the other nominees, but only the winners of the remaining 10 awards were called up. 

That proved to be sad for all the nominees because most had come from different parts of Australia and it meant that the people in the room didn’t get to know who they were or what they had done. And the nominees didn’t get any recognition - only their name on the screen. There was probably a time restraint but I think to be fair it really needs to include all nominees in the future.

Jessica Fox & Ben Sainsbury

Jess Fox took out the Athlete of the Year which was a certainty. Ben Sainsbury from WA took out the Athlete of the Year (Paracanoe). It was a proud moment for 21 year old Ben who powered his wheelchair by hand up the ramp of the stage to claim his award. I remember when Ben started paddling not so long ago and I watched him practise alongside Ascot Kayak Club with Jesse Phillips, or Ramon coaching him from the bank. It's just amazing achievement for him to become a World Champion in such a short time. 

When my category came up, the ‘Master Paddler of the Year’ I was keeping my fingers crossed. Up until that moment I didn’t know who I was up against as I hadn’t seen any information about my category. Our names were flashed on the screen and Richard Fox said the winner is ----- Brett Greenwood. My heart sank. Although I had paddled every day for one year completing 14,000 kms and won most of my races, I was up against Brett who had become a National and World Champion in the 55+ in two categories. 

Andrea McQuitty, the President of Paddle Australia 

There was another short break as sweets came out, then it was the prestigious ‘President’s Award’. The PA President Andrea McQuitty started off saying I have known this person for 30 odd years ....... and the winner is ----- Terry Bolland. I must admit I was so surprised, I hadn’t even thought about that award. After being a little disappointment for not getting the 'Master Paddler' it was like – whow I have won the 'Presidents Award' and this is what it feels like to win something really special. Especially it coming from Andrea who is such a lovely person.

I then lifted my old body, which really feels quite young and walked with my head held high with a much better technique than my paddling technique and onto the stage to face the dazzling lights. This was a great moment especially the fact that I could say a few words. So for the next 5 minutes Richard and Andrea asked me questions and I even answered some questions that I was never asked just to prolong the moment.

I am not a hugger, but this was a moment that I had little control of my actions so when Andrea gave me the award and when we said goodbye I just hugged her without thinking. (I had received 3 Paddle WA Presidents Awards in 1993-94 & 97 from Greg Kaeding, but there were no hugs involved!)

I walked off the stage with my head held even higher and appreciative that I got recognised for what I have done for paddling over the last 45 years.

It was the last award of the night, the meal was tasty the drinks were there for those who wanted to drink and all in all it turned out being a great night.
I was then asked to go into the foyer to be interviewed and have my photo taken. As I milled around with others in the room Jessica Fox came over to congratulate me, and she shared several minutes of her time and to top it off I got a photo opportunity like you do.

After more talk with others it was time to retire.

Thank you Paddle WA and Paddle Australia for the recognition.

2022 PADDLE AUSTRALIA AWARD WINNERS
Paddler of the Year (Olympic Disciplines) – Jessica Fox (NSW)
Paddler of the Year (Paracanoe) – Ben Sainsbury (WA)
Paddle of the Year (Non-Olympic Disciplines) – Michael Booth (WA)
Paddler of the Year (Junior) – Natalia Drobot (NSW) and Mark Crosbee (VIC)
Paddler of the Year (Master) – Brett Greenwood (NSW)
Team of the Year – Women’s Canoe Sprint K4
Coach of the Year – Rene Olsen (Women’s Canoe Sprint Head Coach) and Myriam Fox (Women’s Canoe Slalom Head Coach)
Club Coach of the Year – Chris Hurley (QLD)
President’s Award – Terry Bolland (WA)
Volunteer of the Year – Brenda Hurley (QLD)
Instructor/Guide of the Year – Anne Langsford (SA)
Technical Official of the Year – Chris Thompson (NSW)
Excellence Award – Chris Wharton (VIC)
Olegas Truchanas Award – Matt and David Brain (TAS)
Award of Merit – Aly Bull (QLD), Jackson Collins (NSW) and Kris Smith (WA)
Certificate of Merit – Jordan Wood (QLD), Cat McArthur (SA), Murray Stewart (NSW), Shannon Reynolds (WA), Naomi Flood (QLD), Jaime Roberts (WA), Jo Brigden-Jones (NSW), Lachlan Tame (NSW)
Services to Paddling – Matt Moore (VIC), John Young (VIC), Fred Bahrami (NSW), Sue McDougall (WA), Greg Kaeding (WA)
More of the Awards are on the Paddle Australia website and facebook page.

Kris started paddling in 2011 I think and now he has the WA Volunteer of the Year Award and a 
Paddle Australia Award of Merit 

PA National Canoe Marathon Champs

MK1 50-54

MK2 50-54 with Jason Ware 

PNSW Marathon Series

Division 1 for 7th Year in a row

ICF Canoe Masters Marathon World Championships

MK1 55-59

MK2 Mixed 50+ with Daniela Torre 

The next day I had a great breakfast in the hotel and then walked into  the Sydney City Centre and followed the river around which was very enjoyable. I had walked about 18kms by the time I had to return to the hotel so I took a taxi back to the hotel before heading to the airport.

I must admit it wasn't so easy checking in with Qantas but the flight was only 30 minutes late leaving. And they did have TVs and food although my TV didn't work so I had to look at the others around me. Nevertheless I got home safely.

A walk around the river.
There were a lot of people getting on the cruise ship.

The old club rooms 1978-2006

As it was in the early days.

As it was in the early days.

In 2006 the old building was knocked down and the new one started to take shape.

The new clubrooms.

With over 630 members it could do with being bigger.

Birds Along The Way

Open Up its Feeding Time.

More food please.

Pelican fly by.

This one hangs around fisher people and has managed to swallow the hook.

I contacted Sea Bird Rescue and they caught it this morning and is off to the Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. 

It's that time of year.

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Bevan Dashwood Dash 
Sun Nov 6th

A great two-leg course on the Canning. Second half in fresh water wilderness above the weir, spectacular. Short course option offers something for everyone !

Register 

https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=295468

Sunday 13th November 2022

Moore River Race

20th November

watch out for details

Mixed K2 Championships.

Epic Paddles

Club Carbon - $460

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