Sorry about the late newsletter it's been a busy week with one thing and another.

This last week has been a big week for downwind racing with the Mandurah Duel last weekend, downwind races during the week and the big one, The Doctor, the race from Rottnest to Sorrento, on Saturday. More on the Doctor next week.

I'm just waiting for the day when I don't have to work on a Saturday. For the last 12 years I have worked every Saturday, (apart from when I'm on an expedition), which has prevented me from taking part in any kayaking events that fall on a Saturday, like the downwind ocean races and sprint racing.

You really can't get bored if you like to have a paddle in your hand as there is so many different types of paddling that you can do. And unlike many parts of the world where the weather is too cold to paddle in winter, Australian paddlers can paddle all year round.

The South African Mocke brothers have been in Perth for the last two weeks winning every downwind race that was held. The Tasmanian Norton brothers Tom and Sam have been close behind them.

For the Doctor Race we provided 9 skis for Epic sponsored paddlers and 3 eastern staters. It was good to see 3 Epic paddlers were in the top 8, Cory hill coming third, young 20 year old Tom Norton 7th, Jeremy cotter 8th, and Sam Norton who came third last year coming in 13th place. All four paddlers were paddling the Epic V14. CDU sponsored female paddler Ruth Highman, paddling an Epic V14 came 1st in the ladies section with the nearest lady being 8 minutes behind. More on the Doctor Race next week.

*************************************

Around Australia paddler Jason Beachcroft has now left West Australian waters after paddling his last major line of cliffs, that's not to say he will have an easy time from here. He still has some dangerous waters ahead.

Ian and Dave have returned from Sri Lanka after being punished by hostile weather and time restraints. They were raising money for the Black Dog Institute so if you have a few spare dollars please donate to their cause.

Hi Terry, as you know its all over and we are on our way home. Can you do us a big favour and put a link to our web site asking people to donate to the Black Dog Institute. All information is on the web site: www.paddesrilanka.com

Cheers. Ian and Dave

*************************************

Jason Around Australia

Jason Beachcroft has completed the 186km section of the Bunda Cliffs taking 35 hours in headwinds of 15 knots and a small swell. He said there were lots of playful dolphins both days and night. He saw one shark about four feet, gulls and lots of cliffs. It was beautiful but he was glad it is done rather than being in front of him. Been very hot on the water and hotter off it.

Along the Bunda Cliffs, Great Australian Bight. Photo Jason Beachcroft

The Bunda Cliffs. Photo Jason Beachcroft

A sea cave along the Bunda Cliffs. Photo Jason Beachcroft

*******************************************

The Double Mandurah Duel

Dawid & Jasper Mocke ready to wash down whilst others are still on the water. They came first.

Tasmania's Sam & Tom Norton at the end of the Duel. They came second not far behind the Mocke brothers..

Ray Smith (rear) from our Saturday morning crew paddling the Double Dual with his cousin Matt

*********************************************

Watch Out For Rowers

Tuesday morning wasn't such a good one for two paddlers. Both paddlers paddling at two different locations at about the same time in the morning were virtually run over by rowers.

Incident 1.

The first incident happened near Windan Bridge. As the paddler was paddling up river several rowing 8s in a line across the river started coming towards him. With nowhere to go he headed across the river to a safer spot but out of the blue 4 single sculls in a line across the river suddenly headed towards him. He angled his K1 across the river paddling at a quick pace trying to avoid them but they were too fast and he could do nothing but to brace himself for a collision. Somehow amongst the fray the rowers oar smashed the kayaks underslung rudder so he paddled home without a rudder.

They were rowers from the nearby school but probably the worst thing about the whole ordeal was that the coaches in the powers boats motoring beside them said nothing to the rowers to avoid the collision.

He was lucky and a little shaken but he was also angry at the coaches for doing nothing.

Incident 2.

The second incident happened just up stream of Sandy Beach. As the paddler passed Sandy Beach Reserve a line of rowers with a big G on their backs took up the entire river. With no where to go he hugged the shoreline. There was a very small gap between the rowers and the shoreline just big enough for him to paddle passed them but a power boat with two coaches in filled the gap and virtually mowed him down. His only escape was for him to take refuge behind a tree.

The two guys in the power boat didn't say a thing, just kept motoring.

Of course rowers are not always at fault, paddlers often cut corners and get a surprise when a rower is coming the other way. This didn't happen here. The coaches must take some responsibility for their flock of rowers when they are being coached.

What is a pain is when they barge through a crowded river of paddlers without any intention of stopping. Or when they row into a crowded area of paddlers and just stop in the middle of the river and sit there in your way and have a discussion. Rowers know paddlers have races and activities around Ascot and Sandy Beach, but for most its like they were playing ten pin bowling, let's see who we can run down.

That doesn't mean that all rowers think like that. Many of them are very polite and say good morning and respect that we are there and it is my expectation that paddlers will be thoughtful and understand that rowers are going backwards and it is hard for them to see everything bobbing around on the river.

Most paddlers are wise to rowers being on the river and will try to get out of their way but I have seen experienced paddlers cutting it fine and nearly have a collision, which wasn't the fault of a rower.

Then there are the social paddlers who are happily paddling down the river having a good chat only to be run down by rowers who are coming up from behind. We probably can't educate those paddlers as they are not in our system of communication but club paddlers and paddlers that use the river frequently should know the pitfalls of rowers being on the river.

It is a bit of a dilemma knowing which way to paddle down the river. In theory we should be keeping to the right side. The trouble with being on the right side is that rowers and powerboats come from behind at a faster pace and are likely to crash into you. Being on the left is like walking against the traffic as you can usually see what is coming and have the opportunity to get out of their way. I chose to do both. When I can see it clear in the distance I will keep to the right side because I know no-one is going to run me down but when rowers are coming from all directions I often keep to the left so I can see them coming and make sure I'm out of their way.

*******************************************

.