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This is a special newsletter being my 800th which brings back lots of special memories. I have also had confirmation from Paddle Australia that I will be
representing Australia at the World Masters Marathon Championships in Denmark so now it's official I’m able to start planning. On the downside though, on Tuesday I started 33 sessions (7 weeks) of radiation for my prostate cancer which has
returned and makes my preparation to Europe a little trickier than it would have been. I just hope the treatment doesn’t affect me too much and the side effects aren't too severe so I can continue training to keep a base fitness. Tomorrow Saturday the
Doubles Barkers Bridge Race is on at Ascot Kayak Club so it will be pretty busy at the club in the morning. It's Mother's Day on Sunday so no racing on Sunday. Sat Race Day Schedule: Juniors:
Check-in: 7.15 - Briefing: 7.40 - Race Start: 08.00 Adults:
Check-in: 7.30 - Briefing: 8.30 - Race Start: 09.00
- Who's Out There
- Marathon Video
- Dream
Time
- Yukon River Quest
- Soup Explosion
- Texas Water Safari
The Ramon Race - Coming Events
Yes it’s my 800th newsletter in this format. I never thought I would get up to 800 when I started, but I just enjoy keeping people in touch with paddling.
I left school at 15 being an average student and although I have typed many words on paper since then they haven’t been big, complicated, intricate words of a top scholar but nevertheless I enjoy writing. It would have been nice to be a lot smarter though.
I started writing at 19 when I kept diaries of my travels around
Europe and across Asia to Australia in 1970. In 1978 I became Ascot Kayak Club newsletter editor for several years typing on a type of carbon paper and turning a handle of a spirit copier to print out all the pages for 150 newsletters. Then it was collating them and stapling them together. In
the 1980s I was also the Australian Wild Water & Slalom magazine editor and for a while a Paddle WA editor. In the 1980s when I paddled 5 x 3 months trips around the Kimberley Coast I wrote a book about the trips, but my most difficult and time consuming book was writing Canoeing Down Under,
a text book on every part of Canoeing & Kayaking which was published in 1994. Since then I have written 3 other books plus the Avon River Guide Book. All my books have been self-published so I haven’t become a very well known author. It was in the year 2000 when I started putting out an email
newsletter without pictures and in about 2003 I started adding pictures. Then I started this newsletter which has risen to 800. In a few weeks I will be publishing a Bird Book which will include many of the bird photos that I took on my 14,000km Paddle and which have appeared in this newsletter. It
will be about 140 pages so look out for it. At the moment I'm looking for the perfect photo to go on the front cover and a name for the book. At the moment I am calling it:- Birds Along the Way. On a 14,000km Paddle on the Middle Reaches of the Swan River. If you can think of a bird photo that I have taken to put on the cover or you can think of a great title please let me know.
Who's Out There There were no marathon races this weekend apart from the regular Sandy Beach 10km race and the PRG race.
Progressive Racing Group - Grid three take off.
Sharon, Kylie, Kate, Tim, Manny, Tim, Nicky and Izzy on a
paddle in the Upper Swan area.
It was birthday time for Doug Hodson.
Paddle Australia, along with Paddle Victoria hosted the 2023 Oceania & Paddle Australia Canoe Marathon & SUP Championships on the Barwon River, at the Geelong Canoe Club in Geelong. The event was held from Thursday 6th to Monday 10th April 2023. Final cut for the 2023 Oceania & Australian Marathon Championships. Marathon is alive and well. Let's hope it inspires paddlers to travel to South Australia next year for the championships. Watch Video here: https://youtu.be/aGnr82xtNp8
Dream Time Many people will work
all their life and retire at 65 and then try to cram in the things they have dreamt to do in their last few years of their life. My adventures started at 19 and they have kept going all through my life and I have been so lucky to have so many great memories.
Dream time on Lake Superior. We were camped on the biggest and
one of the coldest lakes in the world.
The chill crept in, the sun went down leaving the sky with a red glow. No sooner had I stopped writing my diary the stars were out and having clear skies and being in a wilderness far away from any light the stars looked super impressive. With Alaine and Leo on part of the trip across Canada.
Dream time in the Kimberley I did 5 x 3 month expeditions
around the Kimberley Coast in the 1980s but in 2002 I returned for a 3 week trip with Pam, John, Tel, Gary and Don. The Kimberley is amazing but it can be hostile. I have so many amazing memories of the Kimberley.
Dreamtime & Memories of
Alaska’s Glaciers, Mountains & Ice
Flows
Holgate Glacier I could hear the glacier cracking, thundering and
shedding ice from afar. It looked a stone’s throw away but again it was a never-ending paddle to reach it. When I reached the glacier I sat, watched and listened to the rumble, the cracks and the thundering. Ice was falling at regular intervals, mostly small but then a huge block from the face started to cascade. My camera was within reach so I started clicking. The ice continued to fall, then I realised the avalanche of ice had hit the water which created a tidal wave that was heading my
way.
Looking towards Kenai Fiords – North-western Lagoon
Day 3. Between Fire and Ripple Coves I landed on a rock ledge to
have a pee and stretch my legs. The tide was high and the water calm. I climbed out, letting the boat float next to the ledge and peed. Suddenly a small waved lapped up the ledge and sucked the kayak away. Instantly I stopped all proceedings and attempted to grab the kayak. It was less than a metre away and sitting just out of my reach. With my paddle being in the boat I couldn’t use it to help bring the kayak back. I waited for the next swell to push it back towards me but it didn’t and the
kayak was drawn further away. The ocean was freezing but with no option or hesitation, I leapt in to retrieve it. The cold was intense and as quick as you could say “Jack Robinson” I was back on the ledge with kayak in hand. Phew that was a close thing! I had never done such a stupid thing before. Good can come from a near disaster though, I felt much fresher and raring to paddle on to warm up......... I sat eating my ‘Trail’ mix at Crater Bay next to two amazing patches of seaweed that looked like super large onion patches floating on top of the water. I faced directly toward a snow clad mountain with cloud surrounding its summit. It was a beautiful sight, but it was the taste of the small chocolate pieces in my ‘Trail’ mix that really made my day. I was content, often it’s the small things bring joy and
happiness. The next two bays were full of thin waterfalls cascading off the mountain, a picture postcard scene. They were noisy and echoed throughout. At this point I only had 7 – 8kms to go and all I could think of, was “yippee I aye, yippee I oh”, I was so looking forward to reaching my destination and resting. Fifty kilometres
was a fair way to paddle in a short boat in one day. The entrance to the North-western Lagoon was closed in by a line of reef and sandbars. The tide was low so rocks were awash with the swell. Several sea otters floated on their backs as I moved into the Lagoon and they duck dived as I got close. I sat around, no longer in a hurry
and drifted with the tide, watching and having a quiet moment before landing on a nearby beach. I was so pleased to be there. I camped about 50 metres from a pile of huge rocks that had fallen from the hill behind. The view was quite stunning, to my south-east a high mountain with some cloud around its peak, to the south the
rugged Granite Island, to the west more high mountains, and to the north, massive snow clad mountains with glaciers squeezed between them. What a view, what more could I ask for? Who needs a cruise ship! I erected my tent on bear tracks imprinted in the sand, and to keep the smell of food away from my tent, I cooked my pasta meal
on the flat rocks nearby. Once I had eaten I then retreated to my tent to write in my diary. So much had happened in the last two days but I fell asleep before it was all down on paper. Beside me lay my trusty can of bear spray and tonight it was even closer because of my tent being pitched over bear tracks!!
The mountains looked close but they were 12-13 kilometres away.
I woke up around 7.30 a.m. and looked outside my tent to see an absolutely perfect day, not a cloud in the sky. The view of the mountains surrounding me was simply stunning. I just knew it was going to be a great day and I had no
reason to hurry. A group of sea otters were playing as I started my paddle towards the glaciers. I edged by them and out into the middle of the channel to get the full benefit of the in-coming tide. The view around me was so spectacular it really didn’t matter if I paddled at all, I could just sit and look at this view all day. I
did paddle on though and as I moved the scenery on each side of the bay changed constantly. I stopped often and sat for a few moments to gaze at the exquisite and ever changing scenery. Eleven kilometres on I reached Erratic Island which differed so much in colour compared with the rock and mountains around me. It was more like
the colour of the Kimberley area in Western Australia and my heart warmed as I recalled my many expeditions in the countryside that I really love. I paddled beyond the island and into a position where I could see four glaciers at the same time, the North Western being the most spectacular. I was happy to land for a break on the
shores of the receded South Westerly Glacier. I had lunch and took photos, just as I was putting my camera away I heard a roar that startled me. I looked around to see an avalanche of snow fall from the mountain top hurtling down its steep slopes and shattering into fine particles. Though the avalanche was spectacular to witness the roar was a frightening sound. I moved off watching waterfalls cascade from the mountain sides. Many of these waterfalls disappeared under rocks on the lower slopes. Within minutes I had paddled into a pack of small ice floes falling from Anchor Glacier. The floe thickened opposite the glacier slowing my progress. As I pushed a path through, the ice scrapped the hull of my kayak. All morning I had heard thunderous cracking sounds coming from within the glacier, I was so close to it now
and yet I still couldn’t pin point exactly where the sound was actually coming from. I cleared the ice floes of Anchor Glacier and the Ogive Glacier stood before me. It was quite dirty, almost as if months of dust storms had blown over it. I moved on to the steep and rugged Striation Island. The North Western Glacier ahead of me
was very active, I could see ice piles falling from its face at frequent intervals. The sounds, which regularly vibrated and echoed through the narrow channel, had no let up. I sat, watched and listened to this very active glacier.
Being a little tired I was hoping the wind and receding tide would help push me back to camp 14kms away. But at this time of year, night doesn’t come to this part of the world so with no darkness and a vista of incredible scenery
around me it didn’t really matter when I got there. Every ten minutes I stopped, dropped my legs over the kayak cockpit and lay back taking in the beauty of every mountain peak. The kayak was slowly turned by the wind giving me a 360° degree view. My body limp, my thoughts reflective, my senses serene, all of these feelings created by the peace and harmony from the amazing location I was in. There was no where else in the world that I wanted to be at that moment. As my conscious state began to drift into sleep I roused myself before I capsized into the cold water. I paddled on and every few minutes I’d capture fresh views. Once again I stopped and lay back just to absorb the truly magnificent scenery. Eventually I neared my campsite where six sea otters played, squabbled and lay in front of me. What a
day.
I sat in my kayak just taking up the magnificent scenery.
The Yukon River Quest Race It was in 2004 that Ed Van eer and I competed in this amazing race in a canoe. It was part of us paddling the entire 3300km Yukon River from the source in the mountains to the Bering Sea crossing the border of Canada into Alaska. We came 7th overall and 4th in the canoe section. The 715-kilometer
(444-mile) marathon paddling race is run on the Yukon River from Whitehorse to Dawson City in Canada’s Yukon Territory. The race is five and half times longer than West Australia’s Avon Descent and with only two compulsory stops, one of 7 hours and another of 3 hours it’s truly an endurance race. The race passes through the traditional lands of five Yukon First Nations and honours the cultures of those who have lived off the river and nurtured it for centuries. The “Race to the Midnight Sun” for many years was the world’s longest annual paddling race and remains unique because teams race round-the-clock on a wilderness river and under
a sky that never gets dark. In 2019, a record 117 teams were at the start line, and 86 of them finished.
After we had finished the race we kept paddling to the end of the river.
Ed and I at the start. We had the disadvantage of not knowing the river as there were several short cuts, however we were still came 7th place overall and 4th in the canoe section against some top competitors including an Olympian
and long distance champions. It was a true wilderness race with only two stops.
The race starts with a 500 metre or so run from the town centre to the boats. Then you just paddle for 715kms.
By the time you get to Five Fingers Rapid you are a little tired.
Ed near where the White River joins the Yukon River. Here
is clear water of the Yukon changes colour because the White River drains off the high mountains so the water is full of sand, particles and very fine sediments giving it a milky appearance.
We crossed the finish line in 49 hours and 27 minutes and 15 seconds. Our fourth canoe position didn’t receive a prize but for our sixth overall position we received $700.00 between us which just paid for our entry fee. It was good to have been the second fastest canoe on the last leg, which meant that we were either getting better the further we went or the other crews were tiring.
Soup Explosion What a cold, wet, Saturday morning we had this week. By the time I paddle to the Sandy Beach 10 km race in the rain it felt as if I should be turning around and heading home. But we as paddlers are better than that, so 20 of us stood there shivering in the rain talking about how cold it was and getting ready to jump on the water to race with the slower paddlers heading off first. It was an advantage being a slow paddler this morning as they were
off first and first to get warm. I was on grid 13 minutes with 2 doubles, Dave & Doug and Ray & Anne and Simon in his ski. It was windy, wet and at parts the river was roughish. I chased them all the way there and back which resulted in a pretty good time of 51.49. When we had finished we stood there wet, cold and shivering and talking about how cold it was. A few smart paddlers returned to the AKC club to have a shower and coffee but not the die-hards, we would rather get hypothermia and have a good conversation about how cold it was and the fact we had no feeling in our hands and
feet. About 30 minutes later after we had exhausted all talk about the cold and couldn’t really move because we were shivering too much, some smart person said we probably should go. So we did. Most paddlers got back into their cars and 2 or 3 of us paddled back to the club passing the kids doing
slalom and a beginners group doing circles and listening to instructors in the wind and rain. As I was meeting a first time Avon Descenter I got out at the club and talked to a few people about the weather before meeting Chris. I tried to hide my chattering teeth, my muscles quivering and my slurred
speech and gave Chris a good run down on all the different boats available to paddle in the Avon Descent. By that time there wasn’t a sole around, the juniors had gone, the beginner group had gone, all the guys that train hard had gone, there was nobody which was unusual for a Saturday morning but it was wet and cold and I think everyone had now exhausted all avenues of the weather. I left Chris, who looked especially warm in his winter clothes to be the only one going out on the river and paddled home shivering so much my kayak was pulsating. About 50 metres from my get out point I saw Jo Ward paddling up and down close to the bank trying to keep out of the wind. I would usually go across to her to have a talk but my body yearned that hot shower at home so I by-passed her and within
minutes the boiling hot water, the light heaters in the bathroom was warming me up to a stage that my body, my fingers and toes was now tingling. Don’t you love a hot shower!
As it was cold I decided I needed some soup for lunch so I got a can out of the cupboard. It was bloated with a bit of a bulge at the base and
immediately I thought of Sir John Franklin's ill-fated 1845 Arctic expedition through the North-West Passage in Canada where 129 men died after two ships became blocked by ice and most probably died because of the canned food. It was once thought that one of the main reasons the men, who had plenty of supplies of canned food, died because the cans were hastily prepared and ended up containing a great deal of lead which poisoned
the men over months and years of consumption. Chemists at the University of Western Ontario though now say lead poisoning wasn’t responsible. The can was bulging nevertheless I decided to open the can by pulling the ring tab. Suddenly there was a gun shot, no it was a loud bang
that the can made when I opened it. Nikki who was sleeping on the sofa took off down the hallway. The pull tag ripped off my finger and shot off and hit the window and slid down and landed on the kitchen windowsill taking a few bits of skin with it. The can was now tipped over on the kitchen top, soup had exploded and splattered up onto the ceiling, above the window, the window itself, the curtains and my clothes. I now had a lot of cleaning to do. After clearing up and my finger had stopped throbbing, I thought how lucky I was not to be injured by an exploding can of tomato soup! I must say white water paddling is much safer!
Soup was splattered all over.
How lucky I was not to be injured by an exploding can of tomato soup!
Texas Water Safari They don’t call the 260
mile Texas Water Safari the World’s Toughest Canoe Race’ for nothing. In addition to the length, the challenges include whitewater rapids, multiple portages, and the relentless, soul-sapping Texas heat. Competitors have four days and four hours to paddle from San Marcos, in the center of the state, to the shy little town of Seadrift on the Gulf Coast. There is no prize money for the winners; just Texas-size bragging rights for the finishers.” The Safari itself – is an annual race via the San Marcos and Guadalupe rivers, the first official race was held in 1963, and is run annually on the second Saturday
of June. Locals paddlers Colie and Julie Morgan have taken part in this race.
The Ramon Race 28th May 2023 Registrations now open for the 2023 Live Lighter Ramon Challenge! Choose
Your Challenge now! 4 courses. All ages. All abilities. All welcome. |
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