SUP MONTH

It’s been another busy training week. Apart from paddling 13kms in the WA Mixed Doubles Championships on Sunday the rest of my training this week has been on a SUP. So I have paddled 158 kms on a SUP and 13 kms in a kayak, a total of 171 kms. I must say it’s a lot harder pushing a SUP that distance than a kayak.

Last week I paddled 121 kms on a SUP and 25kms in a kayak a total of 146kms.

• AKC Pairs Enduro Race
• WA Mixed Doubles Championships - Moore River
• New Zealand Paddling
• NZ - Dame Lisa Carrington
• John O'Sullivan in North Queensland
• Epic V5 Ultra for sale
• Coming Events

The AKC Pairs Enduro Race 

is on the 8th December 2024 so start looking for a singles partner to race as a pair. The idea is to start together and finish together. You can wash ride each other to assist in more speed, but you can't wash ride other teams.

AKC Pairs Enduro

Sunday, December 8, 2024

2024 AKC Pairs Enduro | Event registration | Webscorer

Teams of Two

Find partner with similar speed & endurance, test your wash-riding skills. 
You can paddle as two single pairs or two double pairs.

Slowest paddlers go off first with 1 minute intervals between each pair.

Main race starts at Middle Swan Bridge and finishes at Ascot Kayak Club.

Check-in Middle Swan Bridge: (Car Shuffle Needed).

Opens:     07:00

Briefing:    08.00

Start: First paddlers away 08.30 [or sooner if ready]

Start Intervals: 1 minute

Main Course:

 Distance 13km. Start Middle Swan Bridge, downstream right of Ron Courtney Island, left turn round spit post near boat ramp before Tonkin bridge, back up stream, Island on left, finish at Ascot jetty. Pairs go off together at 1 min intervals, from slowest to fastest. Work as teams, take turns to wash ride each other for best time.

Guppy, Novice & Short Course:

Start at Ascot jetty, downstream right of Island, left turn round spit post off boat ramp before Tonkin bridge. Back up to right of Island. U10 finish at Ascot jetty. U12 & Novice/Short go round island down to boat ramp spit post again, back [right of island], finish at Ascot jetty.

Rules: All pairs remain within 20m of each other at all times. Race time is when second paddler crosses finish. No pair may wash ride another pair or any power craft.

Volunteers welcomed.

Enquires: Terry Bolland 0417 977 330  terry@canoeingdownunder.com.au

See entry form for more details:-

https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=369979

You can race in two singles or two doubles.

Moore River Mixed Doubles Championships

https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=372500

We arrived at Moore River to a perfect day and the river hadn’t burst through the sand bar so it was high and very clear. There were 23 mix doubles kayaks taking part in different age groups. I was in the 35+ class due to my partner Jill Roberts being young. We had one practise run on the Wednesday evening before the race and we seemed to go very well.

Apart from a K2 crossing our bow at the start of the race and making us and 3 or 4 other boats to clash, our race went extremely well and we gained several metres at the island turn when someone led others the wrong way and a queue had formed. We were very happy with our race which resulted in Jill and I coming 2^nd in the 35+ category.

The mixed doubles championships are off. All classes.

Photo Michele Lloyd.

Div 1 & 2 away.

Photo Michele Lloyd.

Div 3 & 4 away.

Photo Michele Lloyd.

Short course away.

Photo Michele Lloyd.

Overall winners and U23 winners - Abbey Major / Mitchell Tamblin.

Photo Michele Lloyd.

Lily Farrell / Coran Longwood 2nd.

Photo Michele Lloyd.

Stella Dark / Zen Salisbury.

& Jade Lane / Garth Civil 1st over 45.

Photo Michele Lloyd.

Taya Cassidy / Matt Greed.

& Sharon Cobley / Pete Tomczak 1st over 35.

Photo Michele Lloyd.

Julie McDonald / Brett Mcdonald 55+ winners.

Nicky Taylor / Dave Berglund 60+ winners.

Photo Michele Lloyd.

Connor Jacob 1st K1 male.
Bronwyn Martin 1st K1 female.

Photo Michele Lloyd.

Photo Michele Lloyd.

At the 2019 World Champs in China. 
Not much room. It spreads out the packs.

Are you training for the next World Champs in Hungary?

Photo Carolyn Cooper. 

New Zealand Paddling

Royd & Linda Bussell.

The Marlborough Sounds offer the opportunity to undertake multi-day expeditions based out of Picton. The native forest-clad mountains are regenerating well and native birdlife is thriving as a result of predator control. Ship Cove has a historical monument and Motuara Island is a bird sanctuary that may be visited by boat. There are many DOC campsites (with toilets and water) available on a first come-first served basis. Some sites are shared with Queen Charlotte track hikers and bikers, whilst others are secluded for paddlers only. You can combine a morning kayak with an afternoon track hike as desired. Kayak hire is available in Picton and water taxis can transport paddlers and kayaks if required. There are a few lodges in Queen Charlotte Sound that offer accommodation and meals (or coffee for the passing paddler). Ferries use the Tory Channel and QC Sound and there are strong tidal flows in some areas. Low tide can result in a stoney hike to certain campsites and the wind strength is a key factor when planning your trip. 

Kenepuru Sound and channels to the north are less frequently paddled; however, multi-day trips are possible in this region, with DOC campsites available. Tidal currents are a major risk for all the outer sounds. 

Abel Tasman Point, Golden Bay.

Lakes:

New Zealand has many large lakes that are suited to tour paddling. Most are suited to day paddles but multi-day trips are possible on several of the larger lakes. In the North Island, Lake Taupo is the largest. A commercial day trip from Acacia Bay is available to view the spectacular Maori carving etched into the ignimbrite cliffs. Tall white cliffs around the western and northern shores make a spectacular back-drop, with the central volcanic plateau visible to the south. In the southwest, the tall Karangahape cliffs can be accessed from Whareoa village. There are basic campsites in a few locations (for the cycle trails) which could be used, together with village accommodation, to support a multi-day paddle around the lakeside. The predominant wind here is westerly. 

Lake Tarawera is a spectacular day or overnight paddle from Kotukutuku Bay. Hotwater Beach, where you can bathe in thermal springs, hosts a grassy campsite, not accessible by road. You can also paddle to a walking track accessing Lake Rotomohana, to see the former site of the famous Pink & White Terraces, destroyed in the 1886 Mount Tarawera eruption. Some hardy folk trolley their kayaks over the trail to paddle below steaming cliffs of Rotomohana. 

Various other lakes are located around the Rotorua area and on Lake Rotoiti, you can paddle to hot water pools only accessible by boat. 

Various elongated lakes along the Waikato River can be paddled and are popular for rowing and motorised water sports. 

The South Island has numerous large glacial lakes with spectacular mountain scenery as a backdrop. Winds are an important consideration for paddlers, as they can quickly sweep down from the ranges and whip up rough conditions on the water. Multi-day trips are best suited to the longer lakes and may involve wilderness camping. Lakes Te Anau, Wanaka and Whakatipu are the pick of the bunch.  Te Anau has interesting arms and islands to explore, and you can access a short trail to the Hidden Lakes. 

Maori carving. Lake Taupo.

Rivers:

There are too many paddleable rivers in NZ to mention here. Murchison is NZ’s main centre for whitewater paddling where training trips are available. The stand-out river for multi-day touring is the Whanganui River in central North Island. You can paddle for five days from Taumaranui down to Pipiriki through the Whanganui National Park, with campsites available along route. Most people paddle canoes rather than kayaks. Commercial operators offer fully guided trips from one to five days and also hire out canoes and equipment and provide logistical support to independent paddlers. There are numerous grade 2-3 rapids along the river and spectacular gorge scenery with a backdrop of virgin forest.  You can stay at a Maori village en-route and visit the “Bridge to Nowhere.” 

Canoeing Whanganui River.

So get across the ditch to enjoy some kiwi paddling experiences. 

New Zealand Paddling

Dame Lisa Carrington 

3 months ago Dame Lisa Carrington extended her already unmatched legacy with a powerful performance in the 2024 Olympic K1 500m final, setting a new Olympic record on her way to her 3rd gold medal at Paris and her 9th Olympic medal.

This day was made more special by having 2 New Zealand athletes in the final, with Aimee Fisher finishing just off the medals in 4th place.

With this victory, Dame Lisa is tied for the most gold medals won ( by a kayak athlete. She sits only behind US swimmer Katie Ledecky and Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina (both with nine gold medals) in the list of most decorated female Olympic athletes across all sports.

3 gold medals - a clean sweep of the womens K1, K2 and K4 events - put Aotearoa New Zealand at the top of the Canoe Sprint medal table for Paris 2024, an astounding achievement for a small nation. 

Dame Lisa Carrington what a star.

9 Olympic medals.

North Queensland Visit

John O'Sullivan

I just got back from a couple of weeks, holidaying in northern Queensland.

My brother Connor lives north of Port Douglas and he is a serious ocean paddler. There is a small amount of ocean paddlers who call Cairns/ Port Douglas their paddling base and they generally paddle 20 - 25km runs. These paddlers often travel and compete in events around the country and often get in the top results. Not bad for such a small group. They are also regular visitors to Perth and compete in the Doctor.

Connor insisted that I join him for a paddle while I visited. We are just out of winter/ autumn so I haven't paddled the ocean for over a year so I'm feeling a bit rusty. At the same time, he warned me of all the dangers of being on a beach in Northern Queensland. The two big threats are crocodiles and stingers. Both potentially lethal. A lot of the beaches we visited were remote so…… don’t sit by the water edge. Don’t swim here. Don’t even think about exploring river systems. If you paddle further out into the ocean, we will be clear of crocodiles. If you get caught up with stingers, the pain is so intense that you think you are dying. Don’t worry too much about sharks, we don’t have great whites, just tiger sharks and bull sharks. Ok lets go.

 We traveled south of Cairns and stayed at Mission Beach. The big day was planned for us to paddle to Dunk island. 4km out to the island and then return. It was an early morning start and as usual I had my camera gear and was taking  photos of the sunrise. I even captured a small shark swimming in the shallows with my phone. 

John O'Sullivan ready for the paddle to Dunk Island.

With the camera gear put aside, it was time to get into the water and put all my fears of Queensland beasties behind me. The wind conditions were very mild and we headed towards Dunk island into a head wind. I was paddling a nice stable Fenn swordfish which I have owned in the past. Although it has been a while since I have been on a ski, It was like riding a bike and I was ridiculously stable. Connor was on an Epic V12  and shot passed me like I was standing still. Things were looking good and I was powering out like I was Cory Hill, but breathing much heavier and snorting more loudly. 

Connor turned back to circle me and announced that we reached the 1km mark. I was gob smacked as I thought we were over the half way mark. I sucked in the sea air and powered on. 5 minutes later I was feeling some back pain but thought I could just adjust my position and posture. Another 5 minutes and the pain intensified. I was having doubts in my ability to paddle the required distance to the island and then return back to the main land. I made the call to turn around. On the return home, I lost the ability to sit upright and my back went into spasms. Connor pulled up next to me and I jumped off the ski to stretch out my back (stay away beasties). Surprisingly, I have retained my remount skills (it wasn’t a graceful entry) and I was able to continue back to the beach. I was feeling embarrassed and disappointed but happy to be on the mainland safe. Now I can claim that I have paddled 3km at Mission beach. I need to be in better condition and better prepared for my next trip. All in all, it was still a great experience and I'm looking forward to returning.

My brother Connor was flying.

There are a few nasties to avoid up in Queensland.

One of the many social paddling groups in Perth.

The dog loves a ride.

A Raven.

There are lots along the river.

The SHAW AND PARTNERS DASH FOR CASH is definitely one for the spectators. The speedy fellows and gal's come out of the woodwork to contest this event. Plenty of action on the very short course with big money on offer. @shawandpartners_ @prime100petfood @thorzt @cory_chill_hill @fennkayaks @raceone_surfcraft @cityofperthslsc @saltycheekspaddlepants @city_of_joondalup @sorrentosurfclubwa @rottnestislandwa 

#surfski#surfskiracing#shawandpartnersaors#oceanpaddling#oceanpaddlerevents

WWW.OCEANPADDLER.COM

EPIC V5 Ultra surf ski 

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Including everything you need:

PFD, Epic Club paddle, stands, ankle & paddle tethers, roof mounts & straps

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Contact John on 0497090059

The V5 Ultra is in mint condition. 

At $2000.00 it is a true bargain. 
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Mandurah Cut Run

16th November 2024

Sprint Regatta

23rd November 2024

West Coast Downwinder

23rd November 2024

The Doctor

30th November 2024

8th December 2024

Pairs Enduro

Get a singles partner and race as a pair

Don't forget to buy this great Christmas present.