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I have had an eventful week. I have paddled 185 kilometres on my SUP, paddled a kayak 30 kms in the City Lights Race, mingled with dolphins and saved a Pied Cormorant from dying. So a 215 km week.
This Pied Cormorant had two hooks in its body and had tightly tangled fishing line around its leg. Phil Langley and I caught it and cut it free.
Sunset Wednesday evening.
- Brodie Crawford Retires from Top Competition
- National Canoe Marathon Championships
- City
Lights
- To Rescue & Free a Pied Cormorant
- An Evening With 8 Dolphins
- Coming Events
Races Coming Up 23rd March - Rod Fry Race 29th/30th March - WA Marathon Championships 10th-13th April - Australian Canoe Marathon & SUP Champs
Brodie Crawford
Retires from Top Competition DOB:
19/06/1996
Hometown: Perth
Club: Ascot Kayak Club
Institute/Academy: WAIS
Coaches: Zlatan
Ibrahimbegovic, Mike Druce, Robin Jeffery After making his senior team debut 9 years ago, #CanoeSlalom athlete Brodie Crawford has announced his retirement from professional sport 22 World Cups, 3 Senior World Championships, Junior and U23 World Championships finalist and many other competitions.
That's it! I’ve dedicated the last 17 years of my life to this sport, and what an amazing journey it’s been! I’ve had the privilege of pulling on the green and gold to represent my country on so many
occasions, and not once have I taken it for granted! This sport has taught me so many life lessons and given me incredible experiences. It’s taken me around the world and introduced me to so many amazing people! If you ever made me smile or we shared a laugh on the water, thank you. You are the people who made the journey! There have been so many influential people throughout my career, and I thank you all, but there is no one I owe more credit to than Mum and Dad. Your passion and support from day one made this all possible. I’m excited for the next phase of my life and couldn’t be more content with the decision to hang up the boots.
Brodie has been a great ambassador for West Australia, Australia and the canoe slalom sport. 17 years of getting to the top and staying at the top.
July 2018 Canoe slalom athlete Brodie Crawford has secured a top 10 performance at the U23 World Championships in Ivrea, Italy. The Ascot Kayak Club member gave a strong account of himself over five days of competition earning a spot in the men’s C1 final where he registered a ninth place finish. Crawford made a fast start to his finals run, but encountered trouble in the mid-section after missing a gate which cost him valuable time. He would eventually post a completed run of 102.30 seconds, but was over 21 seconds down on new U23 world champion Vaclav Chaloupka of the Czech Republic.
Brodie as a youngster and a member of one of West Australia's amazing slalom teams. What a line up. Every one was a champion..
It all started at Ascot Kayak Club and the white water on the Avon River.
Josh Kippin and Brodie on the road.
Brodie having fun with WA paddler and friend Steven Lowther who also represents Australia.
Brodie paddling the Avon Descent with WAs George Pankhurst.
George is on the slalom circuit at the moment. Hopefully he will end up at the Olympics.
WA Champ one step away from Olympic selection.
WA’s own Brodie Crawford has provisionally qualified for a men’s canoe quota for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after placing second in the Men’s
Canoe final at the Canoe Oceania Championships over the weekend. “It was high pressure but it felt good. I had a really good semi final but one move cost me a lot of time. I did that move a little bit better (in the final) and the run was solid,” Crawford said. “I have worked
really, really hard over the last six months, I have left no stone unturned, but I pushed myself. “So when you get on the start line you just think I have done it all, I am prepared there is nothing to worry about, and that gives you confidence,” he said. Crawford said he’s
loved welcoming paddlers from across the world to Penrith, and racing against the world’s best. “When we go to their home ground it is a lot harder and when they come here it shows the quality of paddlers we have here,” Crawford said. “We have world champs here next year, so
it shows how quick we can be,” he said. Olympic selections will be finalised following the 2024 Canoe Slalom Australian Open in Penrith NSW on 2 – 4 February. Unfortunately Brodie missed out to Tristan Carter. But it was congratulations Brodie Crawford on being selected on the 2024 Canoe Slalom Olympic Team as reserve for Tristan Carter in the MC1.
Brody's family. This is what he thought in 2014 - What keeps you busy outside of paddling? Free
diving, camping, University, working, drinking coffee
- Current occupation/university degree? Health Science.
- Who is the greatest influence on your career? My father. He has always encouraged me to work harder and push myself. He has always supported me throughout my whole career. I like to
think that his incredible drive to be successful has rubbed off on me a little!
- Who inspires you? My father, mother, grandfather, Roger Federer, Connor McGregor and The Rock.
- How would your best friend describe you? A little outrageous, funny, loyal, you’ll have to ask Stevie
Wonder.
- Favourite Australian personality? Daniel Riccardo.
- What scares you the most? Getting up and going to a job you don’t enjoy for your entire life.
- Do you have any superstitions before
you race? 5 Weet Bix with honey.
- Favourite place to paddle? Bourg, St Maurice.
- Favourite song to paddle to? Bad Boys for life
- Favourite holiday
destination? Anywhere north of Monkey Mia, Western Australia.
I wonder if the above is still Brody's thoughts?
MARATHON NATIONALS
EARLY BIRD EXTENDED to MIDNIGHT MARCH 17th REGISTER HERE: https://www.webscorer.com/register?pid=1&raceid=378109 Start Lists: For those of you who have entered so far: https://www.webscorer.com/MarathonWA?pg=start Please Check Your Entry. - Pass any required changes to your State Team Leader - Team Leader will pass to Event Admin - Changes will be
updated once per week If you are yet to enter: - Be sure to know whether you wish to enter General or ICF - Please do not enter Doubles until partner
finalised Note on Uniform: In response to questions on Uniform, the wording in the Guidebook is as it has been for the past few years. It says: “Canoe and kayak
competitors must wear their club or state uniform during their events and at medal presentations. SUP competitors are strongly encouraged to wear their club or state uniform during their events and at medal presentations” Link to Guidebook: https://paddlewa.asn.au/2025-paddle-australia-canoe-marathon-sup-championships-guidebook/
Briefing Photo Babett Fekete With the wind already blowing before the race briefing we
just knew that the section along the freeway was going to be pretty exciting. This year I was paddling with a relative newcomer to the sport Daniel Van Der Nest. He had only been paddling a year and never paddled 29 kms and it was only his 3rd time in a double ski, (two short practice runs) so it was a mystery to how we would go. Daniel Murphy the main organiser gave the
briefing, but Chris Hollier, who had organised the last few races also had a big part in organising it on the lead up. It’s thanks to them and all the volunteers we were on the start line and taking part in this epic race.
The second grid takes off. Only 29kms to go. Photo Babett Fekete
Joe and Simon lead the way. Photo Babett Fekete
We catch up with the leaders. Dave Stephens and Matt Hill beside us later take off. Photo Babett Fekete We were on grid 3 with several faster paddlers who we expected would leave us behind but it’s a long race and anything could happen. It was time to leave so we all paddled to the start line and then within seconds the horn went and we were away. We got an okay start and by the pipeline 150 metres away we were in 4th place which I was happy with. I think a fishing line was collected at the corner, but luckily we didn’t get tangled. Joe Dowse and Simon Thorpe led across the shallows with Spencer King in a single ski beside them and his partner Trevor Longwood trying to keep up the pace. Jamie Cartwright and Matt Jones was slightly behind and then me and Daniel next with Dave Stephens and Matt Hill beside us. Spencer’s partner, Trevor couldn’t keep up the pace so Spencer had to slow to let him catch up. We soon caught up to the
two lead boats so we sat on Jamie and Matt and Dave and Matt sat on Joe and Simon. The conditions were far from ideal for wash riding as there was a pretty high chop but I was determined to keep up as long as we could. However, our struggle to keep on a wash in the rough conditions ended just before Mt Henry Bridge just over 5 kms from the start. We were now passing several boats
from an earlier grid and although the other 3 doubles were now spread in front of us, with Dave and Matt now leading we weren’t that far behind. Once under Canning Bridge the river seemed to calm but after a kilometre the worst was to come. Once out of the shade of the shore the south-westerly wind really stirred up the river and the further we paddled the worst it got. Brett and Pete flew by and looked pretty confident. They won the race. I could see several of the slower paddlers in the distance and I imagined that some of them would be feeling pretty anxious in these challenging conditions. We were handling the conditions okay but I wouldn’t say we were doing the best job as we still had our wobbles. I had left the short rudder on the ski which was a mistake as we were being pushed around, in hindsight I should have put the longer one on which would have given us
more control. Two guys on single skis passed us at a good pace. You could see they were ocean paddlers.
Brett McDonald and Peter Tomczak lead and are the fastest in the race. Photo Babett Fekete
The K2 with Coran/David/Harry/Michael came in second due to sinking, getting to shore and having to portage longer than usual. Photo Babett Fekete
Volunteers wait for the boats to arrive. The conditions were not good. Photo Babett Fekete About 600 metres from the portage we noticed the K4 in trouble, they appeared to be sinking and the lads apparently had to abandon ship. We had no hope of helping as we could have easily capsized ourselves. The water became rougher the closer we came to the portage and the double of Ben Caple and Ralph Herbort passed us not far out from the portage. Cheers from the crowd were welcome as we trotted around the buoys to put in. (We didn’t know that there had been
capsizes which included Izzy and Ash in a double kayak. It was certainly a ski race.) Quite big waves were pounding the shore. It didn’t look good. I straddled the kayak of Joe Dowse & Simon Thorpe who were trying to keep their bow facing the waves. (They did well to get in the kayak and take off.) We were soon on the ski and taking off very careful as we turned around the rock
groyne and broadside to the big waves. We managed to get around okay and started surfing one or two waves towards the Narrows Bridge. We passed Ben Caple and Ralph Herbort who were downwind paddlers and had passed just before the portage.
The rough water capsized Izzy & Ash. Photo Ray Wise.
Not an easy job getting to shore.
Jet skis ready to rescue. Photo Babett Fekete
I was happy to get into some calmer waters but it didn't last long. Joe and Simon was a ways ahead, but we chased Warwick & Alan under the Narrows Bridge and soon lost them in the darkness. Daniel said, have a look at the city lights, which after a look were quite a spectacle, in fact they were pretty amazing. I steered more to the centre
of Perth Waters and it got rougher the more we paddled. It was dark and it wasn’t easy to see the waves approach, Perth Waters was just a mess and there was certainly no relaxing. I was happy when I could see the channel heading under the Causeway Bridge and I could turn and surf the waves towards the bridge. I think Daniel was enjoying the ride but I was relieved that we entered
the flat water knowing we would finish the race without getting wet. After all the rough water the next bit was going to be easy. All we had to do was paddle. We passed two single skis who passed us earlier just after Windan Bridge and we never saw a boat after that, only lights in the distance.
I
think Daniel started to tire a little about 7 kms from the finish, but he was stronger than me and paddled extremely well considering it was the first time he had paddled that type of distance and with such an old guy. Imagine what he could do with a young partner. About 1.4 kms from Ascot we noticed a capsized double ski and one of them was crawling back on. We couldn't see who
they were. We asked if they were okay, they were, so we paddled on to the finish line surprised to see that a couple of teams that were in front of us at the portage were nowhere to be seen. We ended up being the 6th double ski over the line which were were pretty pleased with. It was another great race.
We chase Warren & Allan and beat them to the finish without knowing it. Photo Babett Fekete
We start to spread out and take our own path. Minutes later we could see little in the darkness. Photo Babett Fekete
The K4 get home. Photo Babett Fekete
Matt & Jamie unfortunately get in way before us, but we were up with them for 5 kms. Photo Babett Fekete
We arrive before a few crews that were ahead of us at the portage. Photo Babett Fekete
Joe & Simon came in after us, but I'm not sure where they got to. Photo Babett Fekete
Paddling SUP in Estonia at the moment.
To Rescue & Free a Pied Cormorant
Local paddle Phil Langley noticed a Pied Cormorant with a hook in its
chin and a fishing line tangled around its body as he was coming back from his paddle. When I met him he told me about it and we went over to see if we could catch it. (He knew I had helped many other birds tangled with fishing line.) Although it couldn’t fly it would duck under water every time I got near. Luckily I was on my paddle board so
I could kneel and have more stability to help it, but the wind didn’t help.
Within a couple of minutes I managed to catch it by putting the T piece of my SUP paddle between the line and its body. I was then able to grab it and bring it on board. I had a knife so I held it as Phil cut the line. It had a hook under its chin and another
in a leg with the line tightly attached several times around its leg and attached to both hooks. It had no hope of surviving if it was left like it was. However, we were unable to get the hooks out as they were firmly attached to its body so we needed side cutters to cut them out.
I placed it inside my PFD, which I had laying on the
board and put my camera box on top and it seemed comfortable enough for me to paddle it 200 metres to Ascot Kayak Club without it trying to escape. Phil then got a pair of side cutters to cut the hooks. It was quite a delicate operation but we succeeded. After a look at the rest of its body, which appeared okay, I let it go. It seemed happy
when I released it. (I now carry a multitool with knife and pliers.)
A hook was attached under its chin and in a leg with tightly woven fishing line around its leg.
One hook in its chin. One in its leg.
Hooks out, line cut now ready to be released.
Phil and I happy paddlers when we freed the cormorant.
The strange thing is I have not seen a Pied Cormorant around this part of river for sometime.
An Evening With 8 Dolphins
A newly married couple from overseas get a dolphin
show. What a great night. Met about 8 dolphins after paddling 4kms. They were over 40 kms from the ocean. A newly married couple from overseas were just paddling on a small sit-on-top and they were surrounded by dolphins. What an experience for them.
I turned and followed them downstream for 7 kms. The highlight was when one jumped a metre out of the water. I met Hayley about halfway. I rang my wife Jenny and she waited on the riverbank and watched them pass. The wind had died, the sun was setting and the dolphins were still frisky. At sunset we turned and headed home towards a 3/4 moon and calm river. This is another reason I paddle.
The 8 dolpins head downstream
A dolphin swims between Danny & Helen and Hayley on the SUP.
As the sun sets the dolphins head downstream.
Register Marathon States 29th and 30th March 2025 Marathon States Ascot Kayak Club, Fauntleroy Avenue, Ascot Note: This event will emulate the National Championships as near as it can. Race-day Schedule: Saturday 29th Singles: Two Races: Main Race
Race
#2: SUP Marathon, Short [Two-lap] & U10/U12 Main Race: Check-in: 07.00 Briefing:
07.45 Start: 08.15 [or before if ready] Race #2: Check-in: 10.00 Briefing: 10.45 Start: 11.15 [or before if ready] Sunday 30th Doubles: Check-in: 07.30 Briefing: 08.15 Start: 08.30 [or before if ready] Registration Details: Enter the following: - Personal details
- Choice of Level: ICF or General
- Boat choice
- Any special details [e.g. Para]
Difference between ICF and General: ICF - For K boats
General: - Shorter race
- No portage
- If boat is not a K boat, have to enter General
- Can enter General with a K boat
Organisers will assign your category
based on your age and choice of boat and level Age is as per your age at the end of 2025. If you have 35th birthday this year you are 35+. If you have 18th birthday this year, you are U18 All entrants enter [inc Doubles partners] Do not enter a
Double if you do not have a Double partner Need info on Race Distances, No of Laps/Portages ? Refer to 2025 Nationals Guidebook: 2025 Nationals Guidebook
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