This is my 888th newsletter - will I manage to get to 999? If I do I might be time to hang up my computer. 

After an exciting and busy month which included the state and national canoe championships it's nearly back to normal. My normal at the moment is paddling between 600 and 800 kms per month on a SUP and paddling a few kilometres in a kayak thrown in. 

From November to the end of April, 6 months, I paddled 4100 kms on a SUP and over 500 kms in a kayak.

So for the last 6 months I have paddled the most kilometres on a SUP, every month, in the world that has been recorded.

With winter coming I might have to slow down and start resting up for the World Masters Canoe Marathon in Hungary.

I don't know what I was expecting but I would have thought there would be a little more news about the Australian Canoe Marathon Championships in the Paddle Australia website news. The Australian male champion who has won the Australian Championships at least 8 times didn't even get his photo in the article.

I paddled kayak and SUP in the WA and Australian Marathon Champs.

Photo Gordon Innes.

In the men's doubles I paddled with Robin Jacob who I will be paddling with in the World Canoe Marathon Championships in Hungary in September.

Photo Gordon Innes.

In the mixed doubles I paddled with Isabel Combe.

Photo Gordon Innes.

In the SUP I had 3 races, a 12.5 km race, a Tech race where you paddled around buoys and do a portage and a 200 metre sprint.

State Funeral to Honour Arthur Leggett with Military Procession Through Perth CBD

Western Australians are invited to pay tribute to Arthur Leggett, the State’s oldest and last surviving World War II Prisoner of War, during a rare and ceremonial State Funeral procession in the Perth city centre this Saturday.

The procession, commencing at approximately 9:40am, will feature military honours rarely seen in the heart of the city.

Soldiers from the Royal Western Australia Regiment will form two ceremonial guards, accompanied by a Bearer Party, a Gun Tractor and Carriage, and the WA Army Band.

A riderless horse, symbolising a fallen service member, will lead the march down St Georges Terrace from West Perth, passing through Mill Street and toward St Georges Cathedral.

The public is encouraged to line the route and walk behind the procession once it passes.

A Royal Australian Air Force flyover will conclude the procession as the State Funeral begins at the cathedral.

Inside the cathedral, the tenor bell will toll 106 times—once for each year of Mr Leggett’s life—before falling silent at 10:30am.

A lone piper will lead the clergy, bearer party, and family members into the service, which will include tributes from the Premier and the Governor of Western Australia.

While seating inside the cathedral is reserved for family and official mourners, a public viewing area with a live broadcast will be available at Stirling Gardens, located opposite the cathedral.

Mr Leggett passed away on April 6, 2025, aged 106. He first enlisted in 1936 and served in campaigns in Libya, Greece, and Crete.

Captured at the age of 22 during the Battle of Crete, he endured nearly four years as a prisoner of war.

Arthur was a member of Ascot Kayak Club for a few years.

WA Team Competing in Japan

WA athletes have arrived in Japan for APAC cup racing 9-11 May and after a very long travel day, had the chance to visit a local temple today.

Schedule, results and live video via https://sites.google.com/view/asiapacificsprintcup2025/home

WA Team.

Wishing best of luck to (bottom row L-R) Sasha Small, Orlando Fonseca, Alastair Marsden,  (middle row L-R) Stella Dark, Ellie Neervoort, Adelaide Hilton, Sarah Major, Gen Stanley, (back row L-R)  Zen Salisbury, Mitch Tamblin and Cruz Hogan. - Sports scientist for the team 

The Australian Team

NEW! Canoe Slalom Paddle Passport 
8-Week Kids Program 

Got a young adventurer aged 8–14? Looking for a fun, safe way to get them active and outdoors? Join our Canoe Slalom Paddle Passport program at Ascot Kayak Club – a great introduction to kayaking with real skills and plenty of fun!

What’s included?

Learn slalom strokes & gate navigation

Practice capsize, wet exit & boat recovery

Learn to set up boats and gear

Receive a Paddle Passport – stamped each week

Earn a prize at the end + qualify for our Canoe Slalom Camp at Walyunga National Park (28–29 June, water levels permitting)

Where: Ascot Kayak Club

Starts: Wednesday 14 May 2025

Time: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Day: Every Wednesday for 8 weeks

Cost:

AKC Members: $70 (FREE if already paid Term 2 coaching – contact admin to register)

Paddle WA / Australia Members: $70

Non-Members: $99.25 (includes Paddle WA membership)

Can’t make Wednesdays? Email your interest to: admin@ascotkayakclub.asn.au

Financial Help? Ascot Kayak Club is KidSport registered! Eligible families can apply for up to $500 to cover fees.

Let your kids paddle, play and grow in confidence! Spots Limited – register today!

REGISTER VIA LINK - https://www-33t.bookeo.com/.../b_akcintrocourse_start...

#ascotkayakclub #paddlewa #paddleaus #canoeslalom #juniorpaddlers

Coastguard Rescue

England

At 12:28pm on Saturday 3^rd May, St Davids all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch by HM Coastguard following reports from a member of the public, and a call for help from one of the kayakers in trouble.

The charity’s lifeboat Norah Wortley made best speed and once on scene discovered that two people were in the water, one in a partially sunken kayak and one within a kayak holding onto the sinking kayak. With the strong wind forcing the kayakers towards shore, the coxswain manoeuvred the lifeboat to keep away from the rocks whilst the volunteer crew assisted all four casualties onto the lifeboat.

The kayakers were immediately assessed, with the possibility of secondary drowning a risk as two had ingested water whilst struggling in the swell. Once back at station, the assessment continued before volunteers were confident that the casualties were safe to leave.

Judd Kohler, RNLI St Davids Deputy Coxswain, said: ‘The four kayakers got caught out by the conditions but were well prepared with the correct safety equipment, and did the right thing in calling for help. Thankfully one of our volunteer crew, Dr Roger Schofield, is a medical doctor and he carried out a thorough assessment of the casualties.’

RNLI media contacts

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

St Davids RNLI rescue kayaker

Will it Be Death
from discarded Fishing Lines

With the Easter holidays just gone, the holidays have left a multitude of discarded fishing lines on many trees along the river. Within 600 metres I spotted two Darters tangled in fishing lines.

This poor Darter is probably going to die if we can't recue it quickly. With fishing line wrapped around its beak, it can't eat.

If you see this poor Darter please let me know. It's going to be hard to catch as although it can't eat, it can fly.

It's not easy to catch a Darter

This cormorant has eaten some bait on the end of a discarded hook, so the hook has been swallowed and the line just hangs there. This poor Darter has a slim chance of surviving.

On one tree there were 4 discarded lines with hooks, including one with a prawn attached.

If you see fishing line hanging from a tree branch please cut it down if you are able.

Birds Along The Way

A Darter

Two White Faced Herons I think may be doing a mating dance. With heads held high they move close then they move away. At first I thought they were fighting but I think they might be doing a mating dance.

I had never seen the White Faced Herons perform like this.

An Osprey doing a bit of preening

A Pelican doing a bit of preening.

Reflections