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Avon Descent 2012
My usual racing buddy Alaine wasn't available
to paddle the Avon Descent due to being non active this year
so I asked John Breed to be my new partner and he was delighted
to put himself in line for a bit of pain and become my new
paddling buddy. We had only paddled together in races twice
before and with only 3 weeks to go before the race we did
a few training sessions in the Upper Swan T-trees which helped
to ensure we worked together as a new team. With low water
conditions we prepared ourselves to race in the lowest Avon
Descent ever and we were quite looking forward to it.
Race Day
Having to get up at 5.00am to get to Northam for the start
meant an earlier night than usual but it was hard to go to
bed when the Olympics were on. I ate my usual 3 Weetbix cereal,
I never differ from my traditional breakfast on race day as
I don't want my stomach to know that a different type of day
was ahead. There was no mist when we arrived at Northam, I
visited my favourite toilet at the information centre, completed
dressing and Alaine handed me my rice pudding which usually
fuels me for the next two hours. As we walked across the suspension
bridge there seemed fewer spectators and paddlers and with
the low water only a few power boats were there as many were
taking off from Katrine Bridge further down the course.
Nevertheless we still had a river and some great competition
ahead. I had thoughts of winning the double 515 plastic kayak
class but with 5 or 6 of the new modified prototype doubles,
which were longer, faster and sleeker, I didn't think we had
a chance to beat them, but we still had a good chance of beating
all the other 515s. Anything could happen in the Avon Valley,
so you never know, fingers crossed, the longer boats just
might foul up.
This was a race and although I still class it as a social
event, once I get going, I keep going and I never stop. This
year though I was in a double and I wasn't quite sure if John
had the same thoughts in mind as we never discussed not stopping,
but I did expect that John was as competitive as I was, had
the same goals and would do whatever it took to do well. I
was just hoping though that he wouldn't want to stop.
When I'm in a single kayak to stop means losing time and
when you are getting older and have less speed it means the
only way to beat the younger ones is to keep paddling. I carry
everything I need for the day on me which is 2 litres of water
in my PFD rear pouch and a litre of Shotz Electrolyte drink
in my front pocket. Every other year I have just eaten sweet
rice pudding and an energy bar but this year I was trying
out the 32 Gi Chews, complimented with a Shotz Energy Bar.
I tried the GI Chews when I was completing my 6000km paddle
and they seemed to sit well in my stomach, were easy to digest
and they didn't have an after-taste. It is really important
to have a settled stomach whilst racing. There is nothing
worse than thinking about your aches and pains as well as
an upset stomach.
My new buddy John is a fierce competitor so having him on
my side was to my advantage. He is small, old (nearly 60)
a bit wrinkly, losing his hair, but still not as old as me.
Like me he doesn't talk much, but also like me when he does
say something it is always praise for other people! Once upon-a-time
I was as fast as John but over the last two years he has put
in a lot of hard work and has become a faster paddler. However,
I still have the good looks and more experience in ultra-marathon
paddling, so together, in theory we should make a great team.
John does however have some big shoes to fill, as he was taking
the place of that great paddler Alaine.
All the plastic doubles were in the 3rd grid, which was unusual,
but we didn't complain, it meant we had less boats to pass
along the way. Once on the water everyone was chatty and were
joking with each other but it became quiet when we paddled
onto the start line.
We parked next to the longer boats but I knew we had no chance
to keep up with them once the siren went off and they started
sprinting to the weir. The boat wash was big and for some
two minutes I thought my rudder wasn't working as control
of the kayak was hard to muster. When the faster boats had
gone on, control came back and I steered towards the weir
as many others made a beeline for the left bank to portage.
The 515 is a great boat to jump in and out of. It is stable,
has fairly big low cockpits, so in no time at all I can be
in and out of the kayak before John could say Jack Robinson.
With the much faster boats leaving in the first two grids
I expected the weir to be quite free of boats giving us a
better chance to take it cleanly. Just before we hit the lip
of the weir we leant back to lift the bow so to clear it and
leant forward as soon as the boat was half way to keep up
the momentum and hoping to use what little water was on the
ramp to keep the kayak moving. Unfortunately we only managed
a few metres before the kayak came to a halt. I quickly jumped
out and dragged the kayak down the ramp with John still in
it.
It worked well, I was back in the kayak in a flash and heading
down the narrow weaving channel and under the rail bridge
where it started shallowing again. About 4 boats wanted the
same 1 metre wide channel and as we hit the shallow rocks
and came to a halt, a paddler in a Spirit ski run between
us all dragging his boat across anything in his way. He was
certainly leaving no prisoners or caring about injuring anyone.
Although we crunched to a halt we soon entered the pool beyond
the shallows after the railway bridge. To our dismay John
Fisher and his son in another 515 and his other two sons in
another 515 had dragged their boats overland from the weir
and were already 50 metres ahead. John is a wiry, cunning
old paddler with a flowing beard who managed to out-fox us
and get the first points on the board. It was only the start
of the race, but I was certainly wary of John's commitment
and we somehow had to get in front of him.
When the Mortlock River joined the Avon bringing a lot more
water it became much better than in 2010 and everyone ahead
was moving along nicely. There didn't appear to be anyone
stuck on sandbars of coffee rock. Instantly we could see it
was going to be a much better race than we had expected which
was quite exciting and places where we had to get out in 2010
we passed over without too much effort. The rain in the last
two days had really helped to increase the level even if it
was only a little.
It didn't take us too long to pass the two Fisher boys but
it took more effort to pass John and other son. When we did
they stayed just behind us and when we hit a shallow spot
they moved over to the right of the river. I jumped out and
started pulling. It was hard work and when I saw John pushing
his kayak with his son sitting in the front, literally running
and going much faster I felt a little inadequate and unfit.
I knew I should have done some running practice. I was super
fit in running when I finished the Canadian trip but that
was 10 months ago and I hadn't done anything since.
My leg muscles started to tighten and my breathing labour
and watching the Fisher team get well ahead when we were stuck
in the shallows wasn't at all nice. Once back in the deeper
water we paddled on getting closer and closer to the Fishers
before passing them again when they stopped to empty out.
Thank god for that I thought. The team of Marty Clancy-Lowe
and his son in their long Finn Molakai double plastic ski
was again on the side of the bank emptying out, We had already
passed them about 5 times. I couldn't understand why they
had to empty a double ski but they said the venturis weren't
working. There was no sign of our other rivals Paul Hannigan
and Greg Murphy in a double multisport and Steve Coffee and
Alan Moreby in a 515, but that's how I liked it, they were
probably stuck on a rock somewhere behind us!
Katrine Bridge came much sooner than 2010 and with so much
less effort. We paddled under the bridge with cheers from
all who knew us, and there seemed quite a lot. Alaine was
waiting a little downstream, but she knew we wouldn't stop.
The water was much deeper now as the man-made
Glen Avon Rapids were holding back the water. We got into
a good rhythm and were hoping to leave the Fisher's behind.
We decided to portage Glen Avon on the left and dragged our
kayak over the rocks. I was worried that the sharp rocks of
the weir and rapid could slice our kayak open and I didn't
want to risk a slit in the kayak so early. The Fisher's however
weren't that far behind and they pushed over the weir lip
and managed to get back in and paddled the last section of
rapid and be in front of us again. Luckily for us water from
the rapid filled their boat and had to empty out leaving us
to get ahead again.
Laura Edmunds and Jamie Roberts cruising
along. (Photo John J Breed)
In the meantime faster paddlers, many of who
we knew were slipping by us in their faster, sleeker skis.
Many of them were from our training group. It was fun going
down the channels below Glen Avon but even better when we
reached the deep water before Extracts Weir as we could feel
the race getting shorter. I had checked the weir the day before
and felt it safer just to portage on the left side. We pulled
the kayak up the slippery bank and dragged it along the track
to where the spectators were and where the bank did a steep
incline. Here I held onto the back of the kayak whilst John
pulled,so the kayak didn't get out of control going down the
slippery slope.
The Gruesome Twosome portaging Extracts Weir. (Photo Alaine)
As we were about to get back in the Fishers
were paddling by. Bugger they were in front again. They had
pulled their kayak down the main drop and it was quicker.
I will have to remember that for next year but then again,
there's more chance to break a leg! Now we were chasing them
again.
We slid down a couple more Gi Chews and set out to peg them
back. By the time we got to Toodyay we were sitting right
behind them and as our luck should have it, they stopped at
Toodyay where their support team was waiting. This was a real
boost to our campaign as there were no more weirs, less shallow
water and I knew the T trees better than anyone. All we had
to do now was to keep moving at a good pace and it would make
it hard for them to pass us.
The Dream Team paddling under Toodyay Bridge.
(Photo Simon Duggers)
The Toodyay Rapids were rocky but we wasted
little time getting down them and after that it was a bit
of a slog to get to West Toodyay Bridge. Although I didn't
need anything John needed more water so we stopped before
the bridge where his wife Helen and Alaine were standing.
I felt a little impatient but within a minute or two we were
away again.
Racing through the shallows near West Toodyay Bridge. (Photo
John (Junior) Breed)
There was no stopping us now, the Fisher's hadn't
passed and I was feeling really good, part due to the chews
I suspect. John wasn't saying much in the back so I expected
he was feeling good as well. I didn't dare ask him just in
case he said he was feeling bad and I had to slow down or
feel sorry for him and I hate feeling sorry.
Alan Moreby and Steve Coffey who we thought
might give us a run for our money. Apparently they were too
heavy for the shallow sections and I was told Steve was talking
to too many people along the way. They came 8th with a time
of 16.36.51 only ten seconds behind Hooker and Tapper. (Photo
John (junior) Breed)
All along this section John's son, John was
running ahead and taking photos of us until eventually he
stopped. We soon passed Wetheral Reserve and the teams change-over
and headed into the shallow areas before the start of the
T-trees. There were a couple of tough sections on this section
which made us grunt a little but it was a dream when we paddled
into the T-trees and made it across the first rocky ford without
getting out. I knew instantly that the T-tree section was
going to be good fun.
Paddlers entering the first section of T-Trees. (Photo Simon
Duggers)
We started off brilliantly, apart from a few
skis getting in our way, we kept moving. The long ski of Marty
Clancy-Lowe kept appearing beside us. We were hoping we were
going to lose them because it was so long and when it got
in the way it was hard to get around. So far we had passed
them about 20 times. Then there was a fibreglass double ski
that kept getting in our way in the trees and then catching
us up in the pools.
We got to the halfway mark and we were moving along quite
well but I knew the worst two sections were still coming up.
The first bad section Kevin Waugh decided to walk along the
rocky dry section that we usually go in higher water. The
other 4 boats took a left route which had most of the water
going through. I knew there was a tree blocking that route
so I took the middle route with slightly less water but clear
of paddlers. Although there was a tight turn and I had to
get out to pull the boat around with John in it and we were
well ahead of the others when we came out. To our delight
they were lost somewhere in the channel. Marty and and the
other long ski were in there as well so that was good. We
left with Kevin still dragging his boats across the rocks
as we powered to the next difficult section which luckily
today had enough water going down, that it wasn't a trouble.
Warren Southwell enjoying the fun day. (Photo
John J Breed)
I knew now that it would be difficult for any
other 515 to catch us as we really hadn't put a foot wrong
going through the trees. The next sections we just flew down
and when we reached a big pool a couple of kilometres before
the end we lifted our pace. It was in this pool that Alaine
and I in 2010, just about caught up with T2 and Markus and
gave them a fright. It was just great being able to power
strongly near the end of a hard race. There was 120 years
of old muscle and fibre pushing this heavy boat along and
I felt like a spring chicken.
We entered the last main set of T-trees near the end like
two missiles, taking a different route to where all the other
paddlers went. We left them fighting through the undergrowth
which was good news as I didn't want any boats in front of
us as we entered Leatherhead Rapids. It was the last obstacle
in our way and one wrong move here could bring disaster as
our other rivals Steve Coffey and Alan Moreby found out when
they wrapped their boat around a rock.
We had no troubles with the rapid so powering towards the
day one finished line was a joyous occasion.
Coming out of the day one T-Trees and powering to the end.
(Photo John Breed)
It was good to find out that we were in 3rd
place in our class and we were the first 515 kayak over the
line. Being only 13 minutes behind Dave Boldy and Josh Singleton
in their longer Double Multisport on day one was fantastic.
We had no boat damage, no body damage, we were in high spirits,
and most of our competition was behind so it couldn't get
any better than that.
At the finish of Day 1 (Photo Alaine)
After a few minutes checking the river downstream
by foot, we were ready to go home.
Back at home the TV news wasn't very positive. It mentioned
that the race had be shortened but it didn't mention that
it was only the power boats and paddlers were still doing
it tough. I don't know who feeds the media with information
but the news items seemed to lack the true accounts.
Day two
With a good night's sleep I was ready for another gruelling
day. John was also eager. It wasn't as cold as in other years
so paddlers didn't need to wear neoprene gloves. The siren
went off every 30 seconds sending 4 paddlers away. Even with
the water being higher there was still one tree across the
river downstream which would slow paddlers down. With us being
the 3rd boat going through the first section I decided to
take a left route that I had checked the previous day. It
was a shallower, more technical meandering channel but it
did mean no one was in front of us. We rounded a couple of
sharp bends, dodged around a big branch blocking most of the
route, jumped a large log, rounded another sharp narrow bend
and came out into the clear water at the same time as the
second paddler came out. By taking that channel we had gained
a little time.
Start of Day 2 (Photo Alaine)
We lost no time in racing on to the last real section of
T-trees where we expected a few more delays. The section wasn't
as congested as usual although the double kayak with Brock
Ingram and Pyne blocked our way briefly. We didn't want to
knock them in as they were the amputee team and doing extremely
well.
Near the last section of T-trees the water bled through the
trees which blocked the channels. I knew a good route so I
jumped out and started pulling the kayak around a tight narrow
turn and up and over a bank. In the excitement I forgot about
John being in the kayak until I heard him groan. The branches
were giving him grief. I was dragging the kayak across a shallow
section, through tree branches and up and over a rise. Within
a few seconds we were on the other side of the slope, I quickly
hopped in and we were away losing little time.
We approached the first major rapid, Posselts Ford and to
my surprise there was no one on the rapid. I knew this rapid
fairly well and the devastation it can cause if we didn't
do it right. With huge jagged rocks at the bottom there wasn't
a lot of room to get through especially with a wide kayak
like ours. We hit rocks, but by leaning the kayak on it's
side we were able to squeeze through the gaps and off to the
next tricky rapid, Super Chute. This was a rapid we really
didn't want anyone to be in front of us to block our path
as it was a tricky one. The water channel was narrower than
usual leaving exposed rocks which made it even more important
to work together to prevent our bow getting wedged between
the two rocks at the bottom turn. Many boats got wedged here.
Paddlers down Posselts Ford. (Photo Alaine)
Once through Super Chute where cheering crowds lined the
banks I knew the rapids downstream very well and was extremely
confident that we had nothing to worry about until we got
to Emu Falls. The first few kilometres we had cheers from
Alaine who was stood at various places along the way. Our
smooth ride continued doing few mistakes and only getting
caught on a small rapid with too many rocks and little water.
(Photo Alaine)
At Emu Falls I was in two minds if to risk paddling down
the bottom two drops or not. Will there be lots of boats blocking
the route, will we be able to make the bottom turn without
hitting the big rock and jamming? I was feeling really confident
that we could do it, but I was still undecided until the last
second, then I decided to portage. We started carrying the
kayak over all the rocks and boulders but the kayak was just
too heavy and difficult to do. Kevin Waugh portaged with us
and he managed to drag his lighter ski quicker than us. Eventually
we started dragging the kayak over the rocks instead which
turned out being quicker. Once at the water's edge we pushed
off without hesitation but by portaging I think we did lose
some time but at least we were intact and dry and being 15
minutes ahead of our nearest rivals in the 515s we had a bit
of time to play with.
Hooker and Tapper taking on the Washing Machine
at Emu Falls. They finished in 7th with a time of 16.36.41.
(Photo John O'Sullivan)
At the Ford Cruncher the paddlers in front of us went straight
over it and crunched to a stop as they hit a minefield of
rocks. We took the right corner and slipped down without too
much trouble. From the Ford the bigger rapids eased for a
while and a few teams and faster paddlers continued to pass.
One ski tried passing on a small rapid, I heard a groan and
I found out later my paddle had hit him in his face. He was
6' 4" and a policeman - oops. Rosy Evans and Barb Fitzgerald
passed us in a fibreglass double, nursing a broken boat that
they snapped at Super Chute. At Bonebreaker I paddled to the
left of the big rock instead of the usual route on the right.
It was much smoother and safer ride with few rocks and without
the power in the water the bottom right turn was easy to negotiate.
Other paddlers crunched down the middle section. The following
rapid, Raging Thunder was rocky but we slipped through chasing
the girls down the picturesque valley.
Three boats were in front as we approached Hammerhead Haunt.
I was hoping they would take the left route where other paddlers
seemed to be stuck, including Rosy and Barb, but they went
to the right with us following. Thankfully they didn't mess
up and we got through with all the paddlers on the left route
still trying to get through. The next rapid the 200m Accelerator
was quite easy. By now we had caught back up with Kevin who
at Moondyne took the chicken route and we went down the centre.
I suppose he was playing it safe but he was still walking
as we paddled away. We made it down the main rapid okay apart
from hitting a few rocks.
At Easy Street the only safe way down was the middle channel.
A boat ahead of us was stuck on rocks and instead of going
around a bush where the water looked deeper I decided to go
straight ahead and tried to power over the rocks. It didn't
work so I had to get out quickly and pull us across. I was
annoyed with myself for not taking the route the common sense
told me to take. We lost a few seconds and in a race of this
nature a few seconds might not seem a lot but it can cost
you a place or two. Several years ago I lost a dual between
Lawrence Greed and myself by 8 seconds. It's not nice to paddle
125kms and then lose by 8 seconds, especially when it is your
mate. I have never forgotten that and since then I try not
to lose any time at all.
After the Wall and the long pool before the Stronghills checkpoint
and teams changeover we came across Harts Thicket, a tricky
rapid which always catches paddlers out in higher water. The
approached was easier but the rapid was lined with a barrage
of rocks that we slid through. Somewhere downstream of here
Rosie Evans in a K2 broke her leg.
The rapids from Hart's Thicket to Deadly Mistake were smaller
so they were no concern but Deadly Mistake was always a tricky
one as there were jagged rocks waiting to upset paddlers.
Luckily we managed to get through the maze of rocks without
faltering and then lifted our speed in the long 2km pool before
Tea Strainer. We were soon through Black Hole, Spinning Moon
and approached Heart Stopper which turned out being rockier
than I expected. We slid down bouncing off rocks and one pushed
us to the side and we came to a grinding halt. I jumped out
lifted the kayak back straight and pulled and pushed the kayak
into deeper water being overbalanced by holes, rocks and the
water. Once in deeper water I leapt in but unfortunately we
had gained a lot of water and our battery powering the electric
pump had been drained, so we had to find a good place further
downstream to empty out.
I didn't want to stop but really we didn't have much choice.
We had been using the pump for two days and it had lost its
power. By the time we had emptied out about 3 boats had passed.
Having an empty boat felt much better though and having three
of the biggest rapids coming up we didn't want to carry excess
water through them.
We slipped down between the rocks and holes of Lookout Rapid
much better than most in front of us which gave us confidence
to handle Championships where I took my usual route down the
left hand side. It was tight to get between the trees and
the two troublesome rocks that are always there but it was
smooth and we did it in style.
At the Passage we had a paddler in front and the normal route
at the bottom was void of water and unlike the paddler in
front who was having trouble deciding where to go we headed
through the maze of trees and easily slid through with no
problems at all. We were getting more confident as the day
went on and we needed to as we still had Syds and Bells to
come and we couldn't afford to stuff up at those, especially
after doing the ones behind us so well.
Ahead we could see Patrick Irwin in his downriver kayak.
We were either getting faster or he must be slowing. The top
section of Syds was easy but we still had the main drop and
we knew it was going to be rocky. We just had to make sure
that we kept the kayak moving and straight to avoid getting
sideways. We bumped down the drop but it was all in the right
direction and we came out at the end with cheers from the
crowd. Entering Walyunga where our support crews were waiting
was a good feeling as we and the kayak were in good shape
and really rearing to paddle that last 6 kilometres of rapids.
At the top of Syds Drop
We didn't stop but forged on towards the Terminator Rapid,
a rapid to treat with respect. Instead of taking it the usual
way, just left of the tree we went around it and although
it was still rocky it was more straight forward and it worked
well as we slid through the barrage of rocks passing a capsized
paddler near the end. Being such a wide kayak we had to lean
the boat over a lot of the time to make it narrower to get
through the narrow gaps.
Being further back in the field than when I paddle a single
kayak I was surprised to have so few paddlers get in our way
in the rapids. Some did but we certainly can't complain. A
lot of time can be wasted waiting for others to get out of
the way.
With only Bells Rapid to go, getting it clean was the only
thing that stood between us and the finish line. In theory
I knew the rapid very well, but one hit on a rock could throw
us off line and ruin our day. We passed one of our main rivals
in the double Spirit plastic ski in the T-trees upstream of
Bells and slid down Bells Drop with a few cheers from the
crowd, but it was Devil's Slide which could cost us time if
we didn't get it right. We did it perfectly and we were now
only 3 steps away from clearing all the rapids.
Approaching Dogs Breakfast, which was one of the rockiest
rapids on route we saw Patrick stuck fast sideways blocking
the way near the top of the drop. We hit the lip of the drop
and I jumped out and tried to prevent our kayak from being
pushed sideways as well as working out what I was going to
do about Patrick as he looked really wedged. Like a puppy
dog with sad sorry eyes, he sat there longing for a miracle
to happen as it wasn't easy for him to get out of his downriver
kayak. In the meantime the Spirit double came flying down
and by avoiding the chaos got hung up like a rocket on the
section to the left of us. Patrick had caused mayhem. The
only way to free him was to lift the whole bow of his kayak
over the rocks which were stopping him going forward. With
no time to lose I lifted his boat over the rocks and down
he went. With the water rushing around me, stepping into big
holes between the rocks I guided our kayak down and jumped
back in as soon as we had enough water under our hull. After
a few more bounces from one rock to another we were free of
that awful rapid and heading to Bolland's Bend trying to get
my spraydeck on at the same time.
We had shipped water at Dogs Breakfast and our boat was now
heavier but we couldn't afford to stop and empty out until
Amiens where our support team were waiting.
A team paddler was blocking the way into the last rapid at
Bolland's Bend but we managed to have enough room and enough
momentum to scape over the rocks and beat him to the drop.
It was our last real test and we did it with style. A cheer
from the bank and we were away knowing that our boat was intact
and there was nothing much ahead that could stop us. At this
stage we were the fastest plastic double in our class from
Stronghills to Bells and the second fastest on day 2 up to
this point. With it being all flat water from here though,
we weren't expecting to be ahead of the double Spirit, with
Jason and Rob in it for too much longer.
The last rapid at Bolland's Bend (Photo John
J Breed)
A few kilometres further Bruce McWhirter shouted from the
bank that we were the first plastic double he had seen. It
sounded good and we were hoping it was right but unfortunately
Dave Boldy and Josh Singleton were still a little ahead.
We flew through the Upper Swan T-trees and stopped briefly
at Amiens to empty out and for John to get more water. Samatha
Pilton paddled by so a few minutes later we chased her. She
was looking tired but she still managed to keep ahead of us.
We passed a power boat with Jeff Pond and his son paddling.
He had won the competition to enter the race in a power boat.
He usually paddles a kayak and after his gearbox went, he
was paddling again, but not a kayak. I felt sorry for them
as it was still several kilometres to Middle Swan.
Nearing Amiens Crescent Upper Swan T-Trees
(Photo John J Breed)
There was a little current for a few kilometres below Upper
Swan Bridge T-trees which made it a lot more pleasant as it
wasn't as shallow as it had been a week earlier so we were
happy that the Middle Swan Bridge arrived sooner than expected.
Sam was still ahead and the Spirit double passed us but we
kept plugging in trying to keep up a fast pace. A few team
paddlers who were fresher came by and at Reg Bond Park Sam
pulled up as her support team were there to give her more
food. We passed her by in silence.
Up to then I have only eaten a few Gi Chews, half an energy
bar and half a Snickers bar and I was still feeling good.
We passed Jason and Rob again in the Spirit double when they
stopped at their support crew but they passed us again near
Guildford Bridge for the last time.
Familiar landmarks flew by and I was still feeling really
good and I heard no complaints from the back seat so I knew
we were going to finish in good shape, or was John asleep
behind me like Alaine usually is?
Nearing the finish we could see this helicopter thing with
several rota blades hovering. It looked like something from
a Star Wars movie but apparently it was a camera. When we
crossed the finish line it was all over for another year.
I looked behind and John who hadn't spoken much for the last
hour or two was still there in the back of the boat, and yes
and he was still paddling hard and yes we had done really
well for a couple of old guys who could collect the pension.
I did mention to John doing the Avon next year but his response
wasn't as favourable as I was expecting so it looks as if
I might have to encourage my other paddling buddy, Alaine
to start paddling again.
It was a great race and we both really enjoyed it and talking
to many other paddlers who were coming in they enjoyed it
as well. So even if the river isn't raging with white water
it is still a fantastic challenge and paddlers can still enjoy
themselves.
John Breed and I enjoying the finish line.
We took 14 hours 52 minutes and 17 seconds.
The presentation was as usual, it mentioned
the top guys but the slower classes were left out!
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