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City Lights
2013
The Canoeing Down Under / Alarms WA City Lights Race has been
getting bigger and bigger as the years go by. It has grown
from 44 paddlers in 2007, 40 in 2008, 54 in 2009, 108 in 2010,
83 in 2011, 120 in 2012 and 135 in 2013. This is pretty good
for a 28km race which is only raced in pairs.
I have paddled the race every year since
it started 7 years ago, with Alaine 5 times, twice in an open
canoe in a time of 3 hours 36 minutes & 3.34, once in
an Avon 3 double in 2.54, once in a plastic 515 double in
3.15 and once in a double sea kayak in 3.01. Last year, because
Alaine was away I paddled the Epic double ski with Adrian
Quick in 2 hour 40 minutes. This year Alaine was free, but
instead of being willing to give it a go she started making
up excuses to why she shouldn't race, -a bad shoulder, hadn't
trained much, allergic to water, have to walk the dog etc.
They didn't seem very good excuses to me but she was determined
not to do it and kept badgering me to get someone else. With
3 days left before entries closed I managed to secure Warren
Southwell, who was a much faster paddler than me so it probably
wasn't a bad thing that she pulled out. Now with me being
the weaker paddler in the team it gave me a good excuse to
rest. Unfortunately I was in the front so I couldn't see that
happening.
Of course as soon as I
asked Warren if he wanted to paddle with me, Alaine decided
she wanted to paddle, but it was too late, I had a faster
paddler and I was going to hang onto him. It would be nice
to go fast for a change! Of course I am not saying Alaine
is slow, I would never say that, would I??
Two days before the race Warren came into the shop to discuss
tactics and plan the day. You realise I have never paddler
a double before, so I don't know how we will go, he said!
It didn't matter, it was just another race to me. Warren went
on to say "and I have to tell you that when I need a
drink I have to stop paddling to take a drink" Mmm I
didn't think that was a problem either. With a few things
sorted out we agreed to do our first practice session a few
minutes before the race started and whatever happens in the
race, happens!
Ken Smith & Mick
Mantell, two of our fiece competitors
Though Alaine was sulking because she wasn't now going to
paddle, she did agree to take us to the start. At least she
could be a little involved in the race atmosphere and have
all her race mates ask her why she wasn't paddling. When we
arrived she received comments like...Terry should go faster
this year, Warren won't rest in the backseat, Terry won't
miss your complaining...
It was another hot day, in fact it seems that on every race
day since 2007 it has been held on a hot day. It was the biggest
crowd I had seen for the race. That was a healthy sign. As
soon as Dave Boldy finished the briefing, Warren and I got
on the water for our first training run. Warren was sitting
in the back and he instantly felt out of sorts not having
rudder pedals to play with. After five minutes of practising
we were quite happy with our timing so we expected that we
would go okay in the race. Over the last 2-3 years Warren
has got a lot faster and he has taken up downwind paddling
on the ocean and he loves it. So with his speed and my endurance
we had a chance to do well.
Our first practise
Laura & Natalie checking out the competition
The first grid was quite
big and what a spectacle when it took off. 15 minutes later
the second grid with less paddlers headed for Ascot. Then
it was our turn. Again there were a big number of paddlers.
It was hard to know the best position to be in for the start,
in the long line. We settled with the centre. As we took off
we seemed to be keeping up with the others around us, well
for a short time, then we lost a little ground allowing the
others boats to squeeze us out. As their wash and waves started
to interfere with our passage, our boat seemed to come to
a standstill. We wallowed for a few moments and then sped
off again. Moments later we managed to get back into a rhythm
and chased some of the faster paddlers.
First grid off
Second grid off
Last grid off
Last grid off
As we passed under Shelley
bridge and turned to go under the pipeline and started to
move across a shallow section the top teams were nearly 400
metres ahead. It was just amazing how far ahead they were
in such a short time. As the water shallowed high waves from
the boats in front made it impossible to climb them and to
try to overtake. Moments later I heard some loud talking over
to my left and saw Timothy Coward paddling with a broken paddle.
The paddle was in half so he had a blade in each hand trying
to give him some propulsion, whilst Richard Tempest in the
front seat paddled as hard as he could towards the shore.
Tim was then seen running down the road.
The leaders in the fast division
The big wave started to
die down so I put on the pace hoping that Warren would follow
suit to see if we could catch Spencer King and Steve Egger.
With a good strong push, we were beside them in no time. There
was another double ski ahead which was within catching distance
so we put the pressure on again.
The second group in
the fast division.
The third group in the
fast division
We soon caught the other
double ski and it was Bryan Lee and Ian Kininmonth. Bryan
said, I thought you would have been up ahead. No such luck
I thought. It was about 33 years ago that I taught Ian to
paddle white water on the Collie River. He later became a
very good paddler, then I think he took a break and a few
years later started paddling canoe polo. It was good to be
racing beside him after all this time but it would be even
better if we beat them. Bryan had been paddling a number of
years and he too is keen on canoe polo. I remember paddling
with him on the flooded Murchinson River a couple of times
and down on the Frankland River rapids, as well as around
Perth. Thinking back they were all good times and although
we lose contact, the memories are never lost.
Our team. Warren and I one metre ahead of Ian and Bryan with
Spencer and Steve on our tail
Although I had lots of
past kayaking experiences to think about, I had to keep my
concentration. I didn't want to lose them and there were others
ahead we needed to catch. We were beside Bryan and Ian for
several kilometres, then Spencer and Steve came back at us.
Passing under Mount Henry Bridge we were three double skis
in a line all trying not to let the others get away and so
close we often had to veer away to prevent the clashing of
paddles. By Canning Bridge Warren and I paddled passed the
first checkpoint with Spencer and Steve beside us. Eventually,
when it got rougher on the stretch from Canning Bridge we
caught up with an Epic double kayak and passed them by. As
a few power boats were headed towards the boat club they created
several extra waves for us to deal with.
Warren was pumping his feet against the foot plate trying
to get as much drive and power into his stroke. The squeaking
sound killed the quietness of the river. The water became
rougher and we started missing a beat or two. Our ski seemed
to be leaning slightly to the right and with me having a small
bum, with slippery shorts, and being in a wide seat, didn't
help me to feel part of the boat. That's one thing I like
about kayaks is that you can use your hips and knees to feel
as one with the boat.
Greg Murphy & Paul
Hannigan at the portage. For some of the first paddlers to
hit the portage it was still light
Derek Amy & Chris
Clarke at the portage
About halfway between the
Canning Bridge and the portage it became even rougher and
Bryan and Ian were coping better than we were and started
to pass us. As we fumbled a little in the choppy water it
allowed them to get 20 metres or so ahead, but thankfully
it calmed enough for us to feel good again and get back into
a rhythm. I shouted to Warren to step up the pace, so we could
catch up with them and away we went. It felt good to feel
the ski skate across the water and within a few minutes we
were by their side. Spencer and Steve managed to come with
us to our dismay, so as we got closer to the portage point
we were still within a metre or two of each other. A flashing
light was set on the beach to guide us in. As we approached
the portage, it was hard to know which flag or light we had
to portage around and I think we all had our different opinions
as all boats seemed to be heading for a slightly different
part of the beach. Bryan and Ian hit the beach first with
Steve and Spencer a second before Warren and I, but we managed
to have a better portage and were the first back in, although
Spencer and Steve was right there next to us. The crowd was
roaring shouts of encouragement as we trotted around.
Derek Klompmaker &
Marissa Pizzuto having it tough at the portage. Derek is often
the timer for many of the Canoe WA races. Here he is enjoying
himself. Photo Jane Hilton
I had asked Alaine to throw
me a water bottle at the portage just in case I needed more
water. I let her run beside us and then I told her I didn't
need it. She needed some exercise so the run wasn't wasted
on her! Although we were given a light stick, it was compulsory
to switch on our lights at the portage.
Michael Leahy & Leonie
Cockman. Secretary & President of the Ascot Kayak Club.
Photo Jane Hilton
It got even darker after
the bridge lights
This year it was certainly
easier to launch the ski, than two years ago when we had big
waves pounding the beach to contend with. As we made our way
under the Narrows Bridge it was really dark. With not a hint
of a moon to give us the faintest of light we headed across
Perth water towards Heirisson Island. Spencer and Steve were
still over to our left. They blocked the view of the city
lights but we managed to get our nose ahead for a while to
view the spectacle for a few minutes at least. We were now
catching up and passing several single kayaks, although I
had no idea who they were as our surrounds were so black.
It was just a good feeling to pass people even though they
were in slower boats. I was still feeling good and strong
so I knew that I could keep the pace up to the end and I expected
that Warren would be feeling the same. Although our pace was
good the ski wasn't running as smooth as it should, as Warren
and I had different paddling styles and at times it showed
as I could feel we were out of sync. He had a much longer
stroke than mine and it was hard for Warren to keep up with
my paddling pace.
We continued to pass paddlers
and after moving under the Causeway Bridge a paddler mentioned
Alaine and that Warren was actually paddling. Warren joked
and stopped paddling and relaxed, and said something like,
is this what Alaine does? Unfortunately by the time he started
paddling and got back in time with me Spencer and Steve had
moved ahead, so the joke was on us, we had lost ground. They
were now too far ahead for us to get level with them again,
so we worked hard to get onto their wash, as we didn't want
to lose them. We continued to hang behind for several minutes
to help us rest and before we made a big push to pass them
at the Windan Bridge. Here we put the power on and we were
soon leaving them behind which was easier than I imagined.
We were also passing other boats and a few minutes later we
heard a splash. I just thought someone had hit an underwater
obstacle with their rudder but we heard later that Spencer
had severe bum ache and had to dismount to put some padding
under his bum. The water was deeper than he thought.
We were still chasing a bright flashing light. Way back I
thought it must have been a single kayak on an earlier grid,
but we were only slowly gaining on the flashing light, so
whoever it was they were pretty fast. Warren didn't have his
water supply attached to a tube in a place for easy drinking
so every time he needed a drink he had to stop paddling. This
really affected our rhythm and for a few moments I paddled
alone, until Warren got in time again. I always have a water
tube fastened to my chest and positioned so I can drink and
paddle at the same time as I don't like losing seconds. When
Warren stopped to drink several times, I did have thoughts
of wanting Alaine back as she doesn't stop to drink unless
in a real emergency (she is too frightened to). Seriously
Alaine is pretty good in the back of a double when she is
not sleeping or complaining!
It was time to head through Ascot Waters and pass the checkpoint
on the bridge. Warren said he could see no lights close behind
and as we passed the checkpoint and didn't hear any voices
behind us shout their number, we knew no one was catching
us and Spencer and Steve must be way behind. That was good
news, but it didn't mean that we could slow down. The night
was dark so it was hard to see the straightest path through
Ascot Waters.
The bright flashing light on one boat and two light sticks
on the back of another paddler seemed to be getting closer
and I was pretty sure that we were catching them up. We passed
Laura and Natalie as we left Ascot Waters who seemed to be
doing really well. Apart from doing last year's Avon Descent
this was their first long race.
Despite eating nothing since the start of the race I was still
feeling really good apart from a slightly numb bum. I had
eaten a rice meal at 2.00pm, had a carbo bar, a banana and
a packet of GI chews in the hour leading up to the start.
Although I had been sipping on my water since the start, when
I checked my water bladder after the race I had only drank
½ a litre. I must admit I thought I had drank at least
a litre.
Young Jak Bain (South
Australia) & Coran Longwood were only a split second behind
the winners Josh Kipping & James Morfitt.
Photo Jane Hilton
Warren continued to stop
paddling to drink, which to me was a strange thing to do so
often in a race. I desperately wanted to catch the flashing
light and the paddlers with the wobbling light sticks ahead
so I suggested to Warren that we should paddle stronger. I
think I heard him say, he had nothing left, which was hard
to believe as he was such a strong paddler. Was it my high
rating that had exhausted him? Nevertheless when I started
paddling faster I felt the ski lift and power coming from
the back, but although we were getting closer we were probably
too far away to catch them before the finish line. Who were
they ahead?
Apart from the two lights in front of us the river was dark
and lonely but the finish line was just around the corner.
We paddled strongly towards the finish line with roars from
the crowd. I finally saw Michael and Bronwyn who were in one
of the boats ahead and the pair of Paul Szijarto & Peter
Van maanen on the ski with the bright strobe light that I
had been looking at most of the dark evening. We were only
25 seconds behind Paul & Peter in the other ski when we
finished.
Michael Drok & Bronwyn
Martin just kept us at bay. Photo Jane Hilton
Warren and I stepped on shore to a party atmosphere. We washed
our ski down and Alaine helped us to put it on my vehicle.
Before she left we organised to paddle in the morning. I was
feeling that good that I just wanted to keep paddling, but
I had to wait a few hours she didn't fancy doing a night paddle.
Music was playing and a line of paddlers had formed a queue
at the hamburgers stall. Paddlers were still coming over the
line to cheers of the crowd and eventually the last couple
came over the line to a roar. They didn't look in the best
shape though, but they did it.
Photo Jane Hilton
A big crowd was still around for the prize giving. It had
been another great race thanks to Dave Boldy and his team
who did a fantastic job. Many thanks to all the volunteers..
The winners were:
James Morfitt & Joshua Kippin -
Double Kayak - 2.17.10
John Hilton & Darryl Long - Double Kayak 45 - 2.20.18
Record
Travis England & William Lee - Double Ski - 2.20.00 Record
Richard Eadie & Kevin White - Double Ski 45 - 2.21.01
Michael Drok & Bronwyn Martin - Double Kayak Mixed - 2.34.51
Andrew Crothers & Ruth Highman - Double Ski Mixed - 2.19.59
Record
Dom Minns & Frank Patterson - Double Ski Plastic - 2.55.34
Record
Mark Lawson & Shanon Sime - Single Skis - 2.28.36 Record
Garth Civil & Andrew Heartcliffe - Long Plastic - 2.52.02
Eddie Stoelwinder & John Verity - Singles combination
- 2.40.10
Mark Imbert & Pip Milton - Long Plastic Mixed - 3.23.05
Ryan Goodchild, Nicholas Parker & Vlad Vanek - 2.26.09
And the losers were
Terry Bolland & Warren Southwell
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Full results http://www.ascot.canoe.org.au/site/canoeing/ascot/downloads/Club%20Events/City%20Lights/City%20Lights%202013%20Results.pdf
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11,700-Mile
Kayak Odyssey.
The Associated Press
DULUTH, Minn. -- A Minnesota couple
has approached the end of a three-year, 11,700-mile kayak
odyssey.
Dave and Amy Freeman started a journey
in 2010 that has taken them up the Pacific Coast, across Canada
and the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Coast, and down to Florida.
They plan to reach Key West around April 6, the Duluth News
Tribune reported Monday ( http://bit.ly/YdegnM).
The Grand Marais couple is using the
journey to teach 100,000 students across the country about
the outdoors through a website called the Wilderness Classroom.
This summer, after the expedition, they plan to bring youths
from Chicago to Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
and conduct other programs in the Chicago area.
But for now the Freemans are paddling
with manatees on Florida's Gulf Coast. They're eager to finish
but will miss a lot about being on the water, they told the
newspaper during a lunch break north of Tampa last week.
"An hour ago, I had a sea turtle
bump into my kayak," said Dave Freeman, 36.
The Freemans' journey began in April
2010 in Seattle. They kayaked up the Pacific Coast then canoed
northeast to the Arctic Ocean. They dogsledded through Canada's
Northwest Territories and canoed back to Grand Portage at
the tip of northeastern Minnesota on Lake Superior in fall
2011.
The Freemans left Grand Portage last
May, kayaking east across the Great Lakes, then followed the
Atlantic Coast south.
The couple crossed Florida by paddling
up the St. Mary's River, then down the Suwannee River to the
Gulf Coast. In between the two rivers, they had planned to
paddle across Okefenokee Swamp, but the drought made that
impossible. So they portaged their two kayaks 40 miles along
a paved road on portable wheels. The portage took two days.
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