Last July I was happy paddling a kayak and getting ready for Avon Descent in a team of four and looking forward to the World Marathon Championships in Croatia. I even had time to go through all my diaries and I started writing my life story. 
How different has this year been?

Since taking part in the 2024 World Masters Canoe Championships in Croatia (winning a bronze medal), a two week sea kayaking expedition around several Croatian Islands and paddling a Stand Up Board on 10 different waterways in 10 days in England, my goal back in Perth suddenly took a different turn. I was told about ‘SUP My Race’ a world-wide competition that focusses on the SUP paddler who paddles the most kilometres on a SUP in a month. In October I noticed a man from Cyprus, Aristos Efthymiou had paddled 575 kms, which I thought was impressive. 

Having bought a second-hand SUP a year or so earlier, to extend my paddling experiences, I decided in November 2024 to see if I could beat that distance of 575 kms. Well I must say that decision changed the direction of my paddling for the last 9 months. 

In November I paddled 818 kms on a SUP and that put me on the top of the world wide SUP kilometre paddler leader board. Since then (for 9 months) I have been on the top of the leader board every month and in June I paddle 855 kms making it the highest total distance recorded in a month so far this year. 
I have paddled 6400.00 kilometres on a SUP in the last 9 months. (And that’s not counting the kayak kms).

Trying to be on top of the world does mean that I have to be on the water many hours, which in turn doesn’t allow me to spend much time in my kayak or beside my kayaking friends. I also have less time to do all those odd jobs at home, (is that a bad thing) however they do get done eventually! Then there is my book writing which has stopped, but I hope to live a few more years yet so I hope to get back to writing about my life and back to explore much more kayaking in the New Year. But I have still managed to run the Progressive Racing Group every Tuesday evening, be on Ascot Kayak Club Committee and the WA Marathon Committee and help out with the Australia and State Marathon Champs, and most importantly take Jenny out to lunch at the Swan Café every Wednesday and Friday!

On the 27^th August Robin Jacob and I fly out of Perth to race in the World Masters Marathon in Hungary and join other WA paddlers and Australians over there. I am paddling doubles with Robin and mixed doubles with Nishani Jacob (no relation) in the 40-44 class. So time is slipping away.

Although I won't be taking part in the Avon Descent, I will be paddling my SUP in the 17km Sunday Race.

I have reached my 900th newsletter in this format. That's not including the other paper newsletters I have put together for the Ascot Kayak Club, Wild Water WA, Wild Water Australia and Paddle WA. I think I should have been a journalist. 

Bolland Elbow to Amiens Race last Sunday.

This Sunday there are races at Bells Rapid.

Natalia Drobot - Gold

The Australian team had a successful finals run at the 2025 ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships over the weekend, collecting gold, silver and bronze medals

Continuing her streak of podium performances from the senior Sprint World Cups earlier this year, Natalia Drobot was dominant again as she paddled her way to another gold medal in the U23 K1 500. 

“I was really stoked with how I put my semi final together, and getting a PB of under 1.50 which was a goal for the season, is something I am really proud of,” Drobot said. 

“The PB in the semi gave me quite a lot of confidence leading into the final and I knew I just needed to replicate my race plan again. 

“Crossing the line, it was a mix of relief of being able to finish the race and it was also nice to know that all the hard work I’ve put in over the years has paid off. 

“My performances at the World Cups and this weekend have given me quite a bit of confidence just knowing that I am able to execute race plans under pressure, especially leading into the senior World Championships in Milan. 

WAs Samantha Lourey

I just love the community and people involved. I am so lucky to have met some of my best friends through paddling.

What inspired you to take up paddling, and when did you realise you wanted to compete at this level?

I come from a swimming and surf life saving background, and was super keen on being involved in the ironwoman event in surf, but was really struggling to get a hang of the ski paddling component. So, our ski coach at Trigg SLSC Rowan Caren encouraged a group of youth to try out for the TID program in kayaks to improve our technique in a flat water environment. Turns out I had a knack for the sport, and have continued it ever since!

Can you share a defining moment in your paddling journey that pushed you to aim for the world stage?

A defining moment for me was at my first nationals in 2021. After making a last minute decision to go, I had no expectations having only paddled for about 6 months. I shockingly ended up winning the U16 K1 500, which definitely opened my eyes to the pathway that I could have in the sport. 

Competing at this level requires mental strength. How do you handle nerves before a big race?

I have realised that I perform best when I am happy and positive, so before a big race or competition I like to do the things that make me happy, such as listening to tunes, having a dance, chatting to friends and taking in the location and experience. This for me keeps the nerves away so I can focus on the task ahead. 

Have you ever faced setbacks in your paddling career? How did you push through?

A big setback for me was missing out on the U23 team last year by .1 of a second. This was really hard on me mentally, as I had had such a big season, and did not really get to see the result of the hard work and dedication. I decided to push through instead of giving up and set my sights on winning the K1 races at Asia pacific in Canberra, mostly to prove to myself that I can achieve the goals I set. This setback also gave me the opportunity to step back, have a well needed break, focusing on areas of life outside of paddling such as my degree and study. 

World Championships Junior & U23

Sammy Lourey shining bright with her new bling! Huge congrats on an incredible silver medal – all your hard work has paid off. Proud moment for you, your family and the whole team!

5th in the world!  Huge effort from Luke in the U23 men’s K1 200m – tying for 5th place on the world stage. What an achievement!

Zoe and Emily powered through a close race to take 3rd place in the Junior Women’s K2 500m – such a strong effort from the girls! 

Celebrating 50 Years of Paddling

Being confident in white water gave me the confident to tackle the different ocean conditions in the Kimberley.

The Kimberley Coast has the biggest tides in the southern hemisphere. The difference between high and low tides is up to around 10 metres.

Twice a day 10 metre tides inundate the Kimberley Coast in ferocious fashion, made particularly spectacular as it bottle necks in the channels of the islands giving rise to terrifying standing waves, enormous whirlpools and majestic waterfall reefs.

My dream of paddling the Kimberley coastline came to me in 1980 so I had been preparing myself since then. (I worked in the Kimberley in 1973-74). 
With a lot of solo paddling along the south-west coastline, having spent time in England paddling the tidal waters, having paddled white water currents at the Harvey White Water Course, the Avon and Murray Rivers and learning as much as I could about surviving in the outback, I was getting as prepared as I could. This also included skinning sheep in a butchers shop as I thought I might need the skill if I had to survive. Being brought up on a farm I had worked with animals and gained some practical skills that would help me out on the trip. 

Leaving Broome in 1982, solo and in a narrow kayak with no communications was certainly a challenge and a risk. However I was confident that I had the skills to survive. 

The kayak was packed full of food and gear so my kayak sat low in the water. 

I had a 16 mm camera on the front deck.

When I felt it safe away from the crocs (it really never was) I slept in my mosquito tent. Other times I would climb a high ridge and use my swag or sleep in my hammock.

My swag below turns into a tent fly, and a hammock.

The rock wasn’t flat but you don’t grumble when you are trying to sleep and you know there are crocs below.

 Sleeping in my hammock above the Prince Regent River.

I felt safe being so high up but the crocs were below.

This is close to where Ginger Meadows got taken by a croc in 1987.

These are huge standing waves so understanding white water was a must.

The currents were that strong it was often impossible to paddle against them.

Whirlpools.

I had a close call here.

Paddle WA Guide Course

Peter Ashby taking Paddle WA Guide Course this morning.

A over 55 paddling group on a social paddle Bassendean. 

Stephen Morup.

Birds Along The Way

An Osprey having lunch.

This Whistling Kite is making a nest on a tree on Ron Courtney Island.

Brown Goshawk

The Nankeen Night Herons try to hide in the trees.