Belmont Rotary Club members kindly awarded me with an Achievement Award and also donated $250.00 to the Australian Red Cross on my behalf.

Coffee at the Swan Cafe with Ascot members Mark Proud and Keith Benn.

Canoe Slalom Paddle Passport at Ascot – An 8-Week Kids Program for 8–14 year olds. 

Cody Pope shows other slalom paddlers the course for this mornings slalom event.

Slalom World Cup

Lucien Delfour has earned his first podium in six years, taking home the bronze medal in the men’s Kayak final in World Cup 1 in La Seu, Spain.

After finishing third in the heats, the 36-year-old put down a flying run in the men’s final. “It was fairly intense for the first race of the year. I’ve come a long way,” Delfour said.

Despite a 2-second penalty, Delfour crossed the finish line in first place with only the two international paddlers after him beating his time.

“This is my first medal since 2019 and my first medal here since 2018. There were lots of disappointments and struggles, so it’s a great feeling,” he said.

Delfour’s podium puts the Australian Canoe Slalom Team in great stead at the start of the international season. La Seu is the first of five World Cup events, with the season set to finish on home soil in Penrith for the 2025 ICF Slalom World Championships.

Lucien wins a bronze medal at the World Cup number 1.

Late news.

Lucien wins another bronze medal at the World Cup number 2 in France.

Jessica Fox extends her dominance in the Women’s Canoe event on the World Cup stage with her 34th gold medal in the C1 event.

After missing the Women’s Kayak final, Fox was back to her very best with a flying run down the rapids in La Seu, Spain. Even with a 2-second penalty, Fox finished over four seconds faster than second place.

“I’m super happy with that final. It was great to get out there and put out a fast run. It’s a tricky course in La Seu,” Fox said.

With a new format of only one heat race then straight into a final, Fox said it was a relief to bounce back from the disappointment of her Women’s Kayak heat.

“I wanted to come back today and put down some good paddling. To win on the first World Cup is a great start but still four more races to go for the World Cup series and then the World Championships is the main goal of the year.”

The Australian Canoe Slalom Team performance in World Cup 1 has been impressive so far with two medals on the board. Fox said the results will excite fans with the 2025 ICF Slalom World Championships in Penrith later this season.

Another gold for Jess - her 34th gold medal in the C1 event.

Late news...

Jessica Fox has continued her dominant run in the Women’s Canoe discipline to claim another gold at the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup 2 event in Pau, France. 

WAs Ben Pope at the championships.

Luke Dooley -getting ready for this years Avon Descent.

I meet up with the 45 Canoe Club on one of my long training paddles.

Upper Swan Marathon

Long course

Josh Kippin out in front and wins the race.

A chase pack is trying to keep up.

Juniors Beau & Connor Jacob and Alasdair Marsden & Sasha Small having a good fight. 

Camilla Barbi and Emma Jarvis paddling strong to win the women's double kayak..

Short Course

Deegan Donnelly (Short Para)

Doug Hodson and Chris Hollier neck and neck.

Pedram Izadi leads the way on the SUP.

Me & Bob Cowan give chase.

Trying to keep up with M Rowe in the outrigger.

Declan later passing Bob to get a third place.

Hunter with the Little Black Cormorant that he found hanging by a fishing line in a tree.

We took out the hook and untangles the line.

It was ready to be let free.

It scooted across the water happy to be free.

Birds Along The Way

Whistling Kite

The Little Black Cormorants are back.

The Little Black Cormorants gather on Sandy Beach jetty.

Spoonbills. Come-on get off my branch.

Nankeen Night Heron.

For Sale

No need for a roof rack; fits in back of car and easy to carry to waters edge and assemble. 

Perfect for recreational paddling. Hardly used as we bought a double inflatable kayak for travelling. 

3.95m long, 700 wide, weighs about 14kg, inc. break-down paddle and pfd.

Similar to Oru Kayak 'Bay ST', but less than half the price.

Extruded polypropyene. Added footrest/bulkhead, and rear bulkhead.

10 minutes to set-up, 5 minutes to pack down. 

Stores as 900x800x250 box.

Pat Irwin 0414 370 145; asking $900

Powerboaters on the Swan in 5 knot zones have no idea how to respect other river users. 

Luckily I managed to stay on my board when the huge wave hit me.

Hopefully it went through the river speed camera up river.