At the beginning of the month I decided not to try to do the most kilometres on a SUP this month due to several paddlers in the northern hemisphere doing long distance races and expeditions on moving water. With some rivers running a current over 10 kms an hour it would be hard for me to beat the paddlers going on expeditions and long races like the 750 km Yukon River Race. 

So for the first week of this month I took it easy and I was ready to do more kayak paddling and accept that I would be beaten by paddlers using moving water rivers. 

Then something in me told me - I had to give it a go. I did question my sanity at the time, however that said, I would either achieve it or I wouldn’t. And I wouldn’t know if I could do it, if I didn’t give it a go. 

I have paddled 4820 kms in the last 7 months, 745 kms in May, so I'm not really as fresh as I should be. And to beat the paddlers doing the 750 km Yukon River Race, (who would have done other training paddles beforehand), I would need to paddle 850 kms or more in June to have any chance of beating them. 

With 690 kms paddled so far this month I only have three more days left in this month to reach 850 kms. So to paddle 160 kms in 3 days is a big ask and even if I manage to reach it, I won’t know if that target is big enough to win. Fingers crossed.....

However, what would life be like without a challenge!

Sunrise on Saturday morning.

Sun setting over the PRG group training on Tuesday.

Straw Necked Ibis.

Ospreys having a chat with a Raven.

Agnes Pajor & Sue McDougall in training and getting serious about the world championships in Hungary

Kevin Johnson & Dave Tupling on a social paddle.

Dave said he was doing the Avon Descent single this year.

I remember when he came into Canoeing Down Under a couple of months before one Avon Descent (probably 2004) and bought a Finn Kayak and then competed. He has never looked back.  

Wild Water Race #3

The Drain Race

What a great turn out they had on the weekend for the third race of the Wild Water series with over 30 competitors. Unfortunately I couldn't be there but it's always a fun challenge to race at full speed through the tight winding sections of the upper Canning River. 

A big thanks to Kris and all the volunteers for making this event possible.

Dave Worthy still paddling in Wild Water Races.

Dave has been paddling since about 1979.

Paddlers discuss their race.

Wayne Martin finished 5th. 

Dave Burdett 1st and Harry Langley 3rd. Michael Gorie was 2nd.

30 paddlers chat and have soup and buns after the race.

Celebrating 50 Years of Paddling

Paddling Harvey White Water Course for the first time in 1978.

Steve Pilton and I take off in the 1979 Avon Descent.

Steve & I in 1980s Avon Descent.

The 1980 24 hour Canoeathon.

Slalom paddling at Syds Rapid.

We used to carry the poles in a Canadian Canoe and paddle it up to Syds Rapid from Walyunga N/P.

Paddling the rapids on the Murray River.

Paddling the Middle Murray and Lower Murray River was very popular paddle destination in the 1970s, 80s and 90s.

Playing Canoe Polo 1978-79 at Belmont Swimming Pool.

We formed a WA team and took part in the first Australian Canoe Polo Championships in Tasmania in 1979.

We were outplayed.

It was also the Slalom and Wildwater Championships

Sea Kayaking sections of the south coast.

Taking off at Cable Beach near the Gap Albany,1980.

I did a lot of solo ocean paddling in weekend stinks around the south coast as part of my training for the Kimberley trip I had planned.

I had to get used to paddling alone and deal with any dangers.

Birds Along The Way

Ospreys in Ascot Waters.

Lunch time.

Whistling Kite.

Shelduck.

Avon Descent

REGISTRATIONS OPEN!
www.webscorer.com/registerseries?seriesid=394032 

As the rain falls, our excitement grows for WA's iconic Avon Descent - to be held this August 9-10.
A range of course and craft options available. Do the full 124km 2-day event or select from four shorter courses. The choice is yours... how will you RACE THE RIVER this year?!
For more information on everything Avon Descent, head to www.avondescent.com.au 
The 2025 Avon Descent is proudly supported by the State Government, Shire of Northam, City of Bayswater, City of Swan, the West Australian, EMRC, Orr Digital, ARC Infrastructure, Paddle WA, Power Dinghy Racing Club and Minijet WA.

Tony Power is happy. 

The Avon will be coming soon.