Enjoy the CDU Newsletter

Published: Fri, 01/24/14

Issue 405

24th January 2014

Message Bank

It's been a hot week but some paddlers have managed to get on the cold white water on the Collie River which must have been a delight. Collie is a dam fed river and water is realeased in the summer months. The water level can vary depending on water requirements. The Collie is narrower and rockier than the Avon River and is suited to shorter boats under 4m, under 3m preferable, rather than the long racy Avon Descent type skis and kayaks which are impossible to turn.

If you can't get to the Collie to cool off it is a good time to practice your kayak rolls or try a more unstable boat that will test your skills. It won't matter if you fall in, the water is warm.

This morning we had the DR training around buoys. With some paddlers having to use skills that are rarely used on skis we did have a couple of paddlers that capsized. Capsizing also helps with confidence and if you are not afraid of capsizing you won't be afraid to extend yourself and try new things.

It was good to see 3 complete new paddlers at the buoy DR session. Bill Houwen, Jane Liddle and Bonnie McDougal. For Jane and Bonnie it was a big leap from skis to a kayak without a rudder and they did exceptionally well and it certainly boosted their confidence and their fears about paddling a kayak. Bill has had is wavehopper for a while and is keen to develop his skills.

Last week was the Doctor Race from Rottnest to Sorrento. There were about 350 craft entered, most were skis, a few sea kayaks and lots of stand-up boards. Derek Amy was the only person to paddle a plastic ski. It was Derek's first time in this event and he was all smiles when he came in.

Oscar Chalupsky, 12 times winner of the Molakai Race is heading back to WA in March for more coaching clinics. If you paddle a ski or want to know more about downwind paddling, his courses are well worth doing.

For marathon paddlers we have the Canning River Race coming up, 9th Feb. We also have the State Sprint Championships, February 15/16, the 28km City Lights March 2nd, the State Marathon Championships March 8-9th. Indian Ocean Paddle club is still organising downwind races on a Saturday afternoon for ski paddlers

Jason Beachcroft is still heading across the Australian Bight and has about 200kms to reach Ceduna his next point of civilisation.

With the hot morning and warm water it is time for me to get a little more adventurous and paddle one of my unstable and difficult canoes there is to paddle. Extend yourself this summer, try different types of paddling.

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Do you know of a trusted and good builder??

Jenny and I are in the throws of planning a new home on a slightly elevated block looking over the Swan River in Ashfield. So If you know of a very good builder I would very much like to hear from you.

Looking towards the river from where our undercroft garage will be. A single story house will be on top of the garage with a better view of the river. I will be able to see who is paddling more than I am.

Views through the trees. Across the other side of the river Kris Smith and his dad are on a social paddle

Looking north down Ashfield Parade. The ducks and other waterbirds have claimed the area.

Training & Courses

Off to take part in a New Zealand Adventure Race

Joel, Jason and Janet practising for an adventure race

They are at it again. Joel, Jason and Janet and another team member are off to New Zealand to take part in an adventure race. They are having to paddle inflatable canoes using single bladed paddles so I gave them a lesson on canoe paddling techniques. Another West Australian team is also going but I was told I wasn't allowed to teach that team anything!!

Introduction to the technical aspects of paddling, done on land
Doing the drills in waste deep water
Learning and doing remounts
Doing the drills in your boat and get you technique improved

Goals for Flatwater Technique Clinic $150.00

1. Introduction of surf ski paddling technique
2. Have a basic’s of the surfski forward stroke, the theory of the wing paddle and the theory of the forward stroke
3. Know how to used the paddles as a stability tool, how to set up your surfski to fit you properly
4. Know how to remount the surfski on both sides.
5. Know the drills that improves ones stroke when they leave the clinic, they can keep improving. They will all receive notes after the lesson.
6. They will get all personalised technique critic
7. Learn how to improve your balance and then learn upgrade you a faster boat
8. Learn my gym exercises, you get notes for these
9. Learn my training programs for races and how to race.

Goals for Downwind Clinic $150

1. The theory of downwind paddling. On land
2. How to access the wind and waves in the ocean and ride them.
3. How to paddle in downwind waves and wind
4. Learn how to use your Garmin GPS
5. Gym exercises for paddling
6. Paddle in a double with me downwind, every participant.
7. Paddle downwind in your single having me shouting instruction.

8. Learn my downwind training sessions