Young Rhys McRae might be a slalom paddler but that doesn't stop him from blowing away his opposition and getting the best time over the 3.8 km course.

If you are ever on the water mid-week you will always come across one of the over 55 paddling Clubs.

Canning River Canoe Club in their new boat shed.

They have a time trial on a Tuesday Evening.

After the time trial they have a get together and relax!

World Masters Championships.

The start of the 70 plus race at the World Masters Championships.

Robin and I get ready.

Photo Caroline Cooper.

Ready - Go

We are off.

Photo Caroline Cooper.

Photo Caroline Cooper.

The Australian Team.

WAs Beau and Connor Jacob.

K4 Challenge

K4 teams get ready for the K4 challenge last Saturday morning.

Celebrating 50 Years of Paddling

Year 1983

Kimberley Kayak Expedition 2

Dead coral washed up by the tide and bleached by the sun, formed a thick layer along the beach. To the north, several reefs extended for kilometres out to sea and as I climbed the steep cape the tide below rushed out at tremendous speed. Looking out into the haze I felt as if I was on the edge of the world. No matter in which direction I looked there was not a soul for hundreds of kilometres. I was alone on the edge but it was a fantastic feeling to be on my own in this great wilderness that only a few people have seen.

Ten months after my 100 day solo kayak expedition from Broome to Mitchell Plateau I was ready to complete the second stage of the journey. This was about two-thirds of the distance and involved travelling in the opposite direction from Wyndham to Mitchell Plateau, to make use of the easterly winds.

Because of the crocodiles and the sharks that hit my kayak on my previous trip I decided to take a different kayak which would be fitted with outriggers and a sail. The sail would help to increase the speed of the much heavier kayak that I was using. The outriggers would give me extra stability just in case of croc and shark attacks, but because of the outriggers I would have to paddle with a canoe paddle which would make paddling slower if there was no wind.  Because the kayak was so heavy and impossible to lift, I took a set of wheels which would help when I had to drag it as far as 600 metres up a beach.

Paddling Lake Argyle.

Because of the crocodiles and the sharks that hit my kayak on my previous trip I decided to take a different kayak which would be fitted with outriggers for more stability and a sail to help with speed as I could only paddle with a single canoe paddle.

The plan was to have a 7 day canoe trip around Lake Argyle and then paddle down the Ord River to Kununurra to where a quarantine section of the river was off limits. Here I would to transport all my gear around to Wyndham. From Wyndham I would paddle out of the Cambridge Gulf out into the Timor Sea visiting such grandeur places like the Berkeley, King George, King Edward, and Mitchell Rivers, Kalumburu, Truscott abandoned airfield, Cape Londonderry, Cape Bougainville and all areas before Mitchell Plateau.

The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful on Lake Argyle with high cliffs, mountain ranges and sparkling blue water. Although the panorama was magnificent, the crystal waters glistened, the majestic red peaks probed the cloudless blue skies and kangaroos were plentiful, it lacked the tidal influences that the ocean has so I could hardly wait to start my coastal trip.

The spectacular Ord River down from the dam.

Transferring from the lake to the river was a pleasant surprise. The river meandered through gorges and plains and the bird life, animals and Johnstone crocodiles were abundant. A slight current aided my passage through narrow channels with reeds and paper-bark trees dominating the banks. Baby crocs slept on small branches, dingoes paced the plains and as the river widened the current eased , the sun beat down and the tranquil surroundings stood still. The Carlton Ranges formed a giant amphitheatre with deep shadows in their folds. As I paddled through the gorge the spectacular cliffs were reflected in the clear still water. Camped inside the gorge on top of a red rock platform was totally idyllic and although freshwater crocodiles were present the water was perfect to take swim.

Leaving Wyndham.

Transferring to Wyndham and leaving the security of the lake and the river I now had to make sure I and my equipment was ready for the expedition and dangers ahead. There were many dangers and at Wyndham the locals did their best to discourage me to take on the journey with stories about man-eating crocodiles. 

As I loaded my kayak to leave from the boat ramp, not far from the meatworks, a croc watched my movements from the muddy waters of Wyndham. With sailed hoisted, I passed the famous Wyndham meatworks where dozens of crocs congregated around the meatworks spillway. Immediately ahead were 20 kilometres of mangroves, which were thickly lined on both sides of the massive Cambridge Gulf and made landing impossible.

Camped on an island in Cambridge Gulf.

It took three days to paddle-sail out of the Cambridge Gulf. Landing to camp was hampered by mangroves and rocky shoreline. It was on the rocks that I chose to land, but it was a continual strain watching for crocs to creep up from the muddy waters. I eventually left the Cambridge Gulf and paddled into bluer ocean waters finding a sandy beach to land on. It was certainly more relaxing being out of the gulf but the dangers were still present as a four metre crocodile patrolled the beach in front of my camp. Experience on the previous expedition reminded me that they appear in the least-expected places.

Paddling out of Cambridge Gulf and keeping a watchful eye for crocodiles although it was a bit rough to see them.

A crocodile patrolled my camp.

Lined by cliffs the Berkeley River is one of the most beautiful rivers.

The next morning the croc was nowhere to be seen, so aided by strong easterly winds, I paddled-sailed along the coast to my first destination, the Berkeley River. Leaving some of my stores at the mouth of the river, I paddled ten kilometres upstream, passing cliffs and mangroves, to arrive at a dry waterfall at the head of Casuarina Creek. The mangroves and steep cliffs provided no suitable camping spot but a coffin size ledge on the dry waterfall was just big enough and it was a metre higher than the high water level. A lower ledge that was 2 metres above the existing water level enabled me to drag the heavy kayak onto the ledge before moving it to the higher one.

My camp for the night was on the ledge of Casuarina Falls.

As the tide rose that evening, completely covering the lower ledge, I became a little worried when my torch beam illuminated red eyes of crocodiles staring towards me. The water wasn’t much more than a metre below my bed and hundreds of flying foxes circled above the amphitheatre of cliffs, so I had a disturbed night’s sleep.

My camp on the ledge of Casuarina Falls.

Looking down an off-shoot of the Berkley River from the top of Casuarina Falls.

To reach the billabong above and to explore the area around Mt Casuarina, I had to scale the sheer walls of the waterfall which was a risk worth taking. Exploring the hinterland was another exciting part of my journey giving me different insights of the remote country.

Birds Along The Way

Photos I have taken from my SUP board or kayak.

An Osprey having lunch.

A Raven.

A Whistling Kite being harassed by a Willy Wagtail.

Alright, alright - It's time to dance.

This Spoonbill danced for several minutes. It put on quite a show.

I'm happy.

Sacred Kingfisher. 
They are everywhere at the moment. Have you seen one?

A Great Egret.

Time to itch!

IOP SUMMER SERIES RACE

Saturday 18th October

Change of Venue

IOP Committee has been watching the weather and the wind and swell are not suitable to run a long race from Port to Sorrento.

 
The Committee has decided to maintain the race on the planned date, being Saturday 18th October, but changed the race to be an out-and-in from Sorrento beach. Drinks and awards in the Sorrento SLSC straight after.

LONG COURSE -  

In-and-out from Sorrento SLSC, ~12km's.

Refreshments and food in the Sorrento Surf Club after the race.

Race check in is at Sorrento SLSC from 12.30pm, with race commencing at 2pm.  Race briefing  at 1.30pm.

Leg leash, PFD, PLB, Phone, and 4 flares or EVDS. MANDATORY for all racers on the LONG Course.

** Please bring all of these items to race check in to be sighted **

 Note that equipment must comply with DOT requirements.
- https://www.transport.wa.gov.au/marine/recreational-boating/rules-safety-guides/water-activity-safety/paddle-craft

For tracking, we would like to encourage everyone to have a Webscorer account and use it on race day. Download the Webscorer app on your phone, and sign into your account.

Vaikobi SHORT COURSE -

 in-and-out from Sorrento SLSC, ~6km's.

Refreshments in the Sorrento SLSC club house afterwards.

Race check in at Sorrento SLSC from 12.30pm. Race Briefing at 1.40pm and on the water for a 2pm start. No participant should enter the water prior to the briefing.

Can you all please wear your IOP Orange hat if you raced in Race 1.

* All racers must have PFD, Phone and Leg Leash. Please have these sighted on check in.

For tracking, we would like to encourage everyone to have a Webscorer account, download the Webscorer app on your phone, and sign into your account.

If you don't have the instructions for using this app, we will have instructions at the check in area on race day.

N.B. There are now 3 races in this series for the short course participants. Place getters from first to 4th will receive a point score. 

1st place 4 points, 2nd place 3 points, 3rd place 2 points and 4th place 1 point. 

At the end of the series, after the 3rd race on the 8th of November,  the winners will be announced. 

Winners will have the best scores taken from their best two races, in Male and Female categories, 16 and under, 17 - 18 years, 19 - 39 and  Masters 40+. The participants with the highest tally of two races will be the winners 

Race entry and Fees

All registrations are open until 10.30am on Saturday 18th October. No Late registrations will be taken.

If you are a Paddle W.A. member you must enter your PA number in when registering to avoid an insurance fee.

The race cost is $25 for IOP members. There is an option for IOP members to select which will apply the $20 discount, which is only valid for current IOP members.  
Non members have a race day surcharge of $24, ($12 for U18's) so take the opportunity to sign up with PA and IOP before you register to avoid insurance costs every time you race. 
The $25 fee helps cover water safety.

Under 18's race free.

Long Course - REGISTER HERE 

Short Course -  Register here 

We need volunteers to help at check in, and at the finish line for the long and short courses.

Contact events@iop.asn.au if you can help please.

***Race organisers have the right to cancel or change the race if deemed necessary.

Registration Notes:

Team boat members register separately, enter mates names in entry. Last opportunity to pay season prepaid. Rego closes mid-night Thursday before.

REGISTRATION CLOSE DATE, PLEASE REGISTER AS SOON AS YOU CAN:

This registration includes food to be provided by the Café at Guilderton. They like to know numbers plenty of time in advance. Please register as soon as you can. The CLOSE TIME  for registrations is MIDNIGHT THURSDAY 30TH OCT

RACE LOCATION: 

Guilderton 94km, 1hr 12mins North of Perth CBD 

Start/Finish: 

Guilderton Boat Ramp.

RACE DAY SCHED:

Check-in:             7:45

Briefing:               8:40 

Race Start:          9.00

SAFETY, HAZARDS& POINTS OF NOTE:

Boat traffic throughout course.

Moore River Foreshore DOG FREE AREA

Parking meters at Guilderton foreshore

Sun and heat: Apply sun block, bring water

Display number vertically on boat [Number holders $15 here or cash at rego]

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

Long Course [11.3km]: 

Start Guilderton Boat Ramp, upstream, LEFT of Diamond Island at 3 km, continue upstream to island 500m past Barragoon Rd boat ramp. Turn anti-clockwise around island [Outriggers turn anti-clockwise at buoy to left of Island]. Return downstream, pass onn RIGHT of Diamond Island. Finish line at Start location.

Short Course [6.5km]: 

Turn anti-clockwise round Diamond Island, return to start.

Guppy Course: 

From start line, upstream to flag bottom of Sand Dunes. Land on beach, run up sand dune around upper flag. Back to Finish Line, same as Start. 

Courses will be modified if water is too low