Enjoy the CDU Newsletter

Published: Thu, 02/13/14

Canoeing Down Under
Issue 408
13th April 2014
 
Message Bank

 

The big news of the week is that Alaine is off on holiday with her daughter Emily for 5 days..

It was good to see the dolphins in Bassendean on Tuesday. Although other paddlers have been sighting them we hadn't seen them for three weeks. I took these pictures whilst trying to balance in a K2 and before my battery went dead.

Dolphin and calf. Forgive the quality but I took the photo sitting in a very unstable kayak and...
trusting Alaine to keep us upright, thankfully she did.

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We had our first DR evening race session around the buoys on Tuesday. Mark Lawson proved to be too fast for Peter Liddle and myself who came second and third. Our next training session is on Friday morning and next race next Tuesday evening at Point Reserve, Bassendean.

Bonnie and Jane doing a practice run around the buoys before the main race. Notice how far Bonnie is leaning the kayak over to help it turn.

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Hello Terry and Alaine,

Me on Lake Wanaka, New Zealand, 42km long, 10km wide at its widest and 300m deep. How does the technique look ? I know, more rotation required ! Sorry but I will miss training this Saturday morning.

Doug

Doug Hodson on his pretend Epic V14

 


Training & Courses

 


Basic Skills Kayaking Course

Sunday - February 16th

FLAT WATER INTRO - For beginners who want to try Kayaking


This is a fun day kayaking and an opportunity to meet other people. The course covers:

•Safety
•forward and reverse paddling
•emergency stop
•sweep (turning)
•draw strokes
•basic support stroke
•capsize drill

Cost: $90.00 (inc GST), with Craft. $70.00 (inc GST), with own Craft.
Time: 9am - 12pm
Duration: 3 hours

Call 9378 1333

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Down River Training Around Buoys
Don't miss out
Friday Morning 6.00am for another 3 weeks only

The next Tuesday night race is at Point Reserve, Bassendean

There will be 3 races
Race 1: 11th Feb: Sandy Beach Reserve, Bassendean
Race 2 : 18th Feb: Point Reserve, Bassendean
Race 3: 25th Feb, Ascot Kayak Club

 


Featured Products

 

 

The New Revolutionary Epic Bailer

on all new Epic Skis

Why sit in water or have your feet cold in winter time when you don't have to?

The Epic bailer is the best thing since sliced bread


The Fine Art of Bailing

At Epic Kayaks, we’re always looking for ways to improve your paddling experience by increasing efficiency. One of these is ensuring that the cockpit of your surf ski remains dry. When going through large waves, a surfski cockpit fills with up to 25 kg (55 lbs.) of water – making your boat slow and sluggish. The new Epic bailer (patent pending) is light years ahead of other methods for draining your cockpit.

Faster Draining

When a wave dumps into your cockpit, you want to drain it as quickly as possible to remove the extra weight of the water. This is where the Epic bailer really shines – draining a full cockpit up to 6 times faster than conventional bailers, venturies or bullet systems.

The Epic bailer is roughly equivalent to a good venturie or bullet system in removing the last few ounces (100g) of water to maintain a completely dry foot well. However, the last few ounces of water are insignificant compared to the multiple kg of water that enter when a wave dumps into your cockpit. It’s most important to drain the large amounts of water to quickly lighten your boat.

The Epic bailer will get you back up to speed significantly faster than any other bailer device on the market.

Cory Hill came 3rd in the Doctor, Rottnest to Sorrento Race. When you are the best you want the best

Don’t be a Drag

All cockpit drains add drag to your kayak by deflecting the flow of water. This slows you down. The Epic bailer can be opened and closed. Open it when there is water in your cockpit, and close it when the cockpit is dry. In the closed position, your kayak will have less resistance which allows you to paddle faster.

Easy to Operate

The Epic bailer is easy to open and close and can be operated either by hand or foot. Simply pull the handle back to open, or push it forward to close. If desired, you can add cushioning for your foot by cutting a 16mm (5/8”) hole into a squash ball and stretching it over the top of the handle.

The bailer arm can be opened and closed using your hand or your foot

Adjust to Suit Water Conditions

The Epic bailer can be fine tuned to match precisely the amount of draining you need. It is indexed for positions of ¼, ½, ¾, and fully open. This gives maximum flexibility and minimizes induced drag. When paddling in relatively calm water, keep the bailer closed and only open it for a short period of time if water comes into your footwell. If you are consistently taking on small amounts of water from waves, open it ¼ of the way – this gives adequate draining while imparting minimal drag to your kayak.

In large surf conditions, open the Epic bailer half way. This will rapidly drain large amounts of water with a modest drag increase. If even faster draining is needed, then it can be opened ¾ of the way. The fully open position can be used when you want to drain your cockpit as quickly as possible. It is not recommended to paddle continuously with the bailer fully open, as this will create a noticeable amount of drag and slow you down.

However, the fully open position can very quickly drain a full cockpit, where you can then either close the bailer, or adjust to one of the less open positions once the cockpit has emptied.

Keep the Cold Water Out

Most venturie drains will backflow into the cockpit when your kayak is not moving forward, or even when moving at a slower speed – filling your footwell to the level of the outside water.

Those who paddle with venturie drains in cold water have probably experienced the shock of a lapful of cold water when they first start to paddle after launching. This is a thing of the past with the Epic bailer! It can be closed to prevent the backflow of water into the footwell.

When the bailer is closed it's sits flush to the hull

*** Safety is Important

The Epic bailer is crafted from high strength plastic and stainless steel components which will not corrode in salt water. The plastic flap which opens up has rounded edges and corners on the exterior surfaces. This is far less likely to cut or injure if impacted in the surf zone compared to the sharp edges of other mechanical bailers or the exterior shields on some venturi drains.

When your cockpit fills with water, the kayak is less stable due to the oscillation of water shifting from side to side in your swamped cockpit. The world’s most efficient bailer will get you back up to speed quicker and more safely after a wave dumps into your cockpit. Give it a Test Drive You’ve got to experience it to believe it! Test paddle a new Epic model surf ski (New V10, New V10 Sport, V14 or latest versions of the V6, V8 or V12).

Even better – get a friend to paddle next to you with another brand of surf ski. Then fill the footwells one half to all the way full and see how long they take to drain. The Epic bailer at even the half open position will empty exponentially faster than any other ski on the market!

The Epic bailer is another design breakthrough by Epic Kayaks. Epic Kayaks continues to lead the way in high performance paddling!

*** When closed, the Epic bailer is not always 100% watertight. There may be a few drops of water per minute entering the footwell through a closed Epic bailer – typically this amount is less than the water droplets falling from your paddle blade into the cockpit in flat water.

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BARGAIN

We still have a couple of V10 and V10Ls in the old models (which are still very good skis) selling cheaply. There is a saving of $750.00 They were $2750.00 but these last few have been reduced to $1990.00. Club 18kg model only.


Next Epic Container is on the Boil

Do you need anything special?

We are in the throws of ordering our next Epic Container of Skis and Kayaks.

Although we still have heaps of Epic skis in stock if you are thinking about ordering a Double Epic Ski, a K1 or any other Epic product that you know we don't get in, in big numbers - let me know as soon as possible so we can make sure you won't be disappointed.

 

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32Gi Recover Protein Sports Drink

SPECIAL

32Gi Recover is a high quality ratio blend of 100% vegetable protein isolate combined with carbohydrates. 32Gi Recover contains all the essential and non-essential amino acids to maximise muscle recovery

Recover is an excellent protein supplement with no unnecessary ingredients only those critical to muscle and glycogen recovery. Recover can also be consumed as pre training or racing meal or even as a meal during a long endurance event. Recover is the first endurance protein recovery sports drink suitable for vegans and diabetics.

Recover Drink Facts:

•Assists with Muscle Repair
•Assists with Glycogen Recovery
•High Protein absorption rate
•Improves Strength and Recovery
•Complete Amino Acid profile
•Digestive Friendly

•Recover is available in Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla flavours
•Wheat, Gluten and Lactose Free, suitable for Vegans
•No Animal Derivatives
•Kosher / Halaal Certified

Who should use Recover Drink?

Recover is an excellent post recovery drink for an endurance athlete. It is specifically designed with a 1:2 protein to carbohydrate ratio to ensure that you get the required amount of protein after a hard session and not an excessive amount of carbohydrates, which can lead to weight gain. Recover has the property of keeping you fuller for longer due to its slow digesting nature this assists with blood glucose stabilization and excessive hunger cravings immediately after an exercise session. The product is 100% absorbed and there are no unnecessary additives. Recover can also be used as an excellent pre-training or racing meal.

On Special: use by date 5th March

Price: $65.00 SPECIAL $30.00 1kg tub

ONLY 3 TUBS LEFT

 

 


Stories

Canning Ascent


It was going to be a hot day but an early start meant that we would get through the race well before it heated up. In fact it was pretty chilly when we lined up and it never seemed to get warmer until much later. The wind was blowing pretty hard from the east so the conditions for the first part were going to challenging. To make things that little more tough there was a very low tide.

Our main challenge was to beat John and Helen Breed. We had beaten them at the AKC race on Wednesday night but they had beaten us at the last 10km race at Champion Lakes so we expected the race to be close.

Waiting for the start

The 3rd and 4th division paddlers took off before us. The strong wind had subsided a little but it was still blowing and there were certainly a few wind waves and power boat washes cutting across the wide river. We were off and the Greed twins managed to streak ahead before we got too far. They are only 14 years old but it looks as if they were stronger than us and I'm sure their light weight would help them in the shallows. It was a bit bumpy heading to Mount Henry Bridge and we weren't super confident but we managed to keep up a fairly fast pace. We were paddling several hundred metres from shore so capsizing wasn't recommended.

Matthew & Nicholas Green. Photo Lawrence Greed

As we moved under Mount Henry bridge Phil Edwards who was just in front of us capsized and swimming his K1 to shore. Like a true sport Alaine said should we stop and help. We were a little unstable ourselves and as he wasn't in any trouble I didn't think it was such a good idea or we might capsize as well and I knew there was a rescue boat behind.

I wore my PFD just in case we went in. When you are 300 metres from the shore it can be a big swim. It also holds my water bladder so I can drink along the way. Very few paddlers like wearing a PFD when paddling because they are hot, they can restrict, chaffe or be uncomfortable. I find that getting used to wearing a PFD is pretty important as all white water races and ocean races require paddlers to wear them. It is certainly a sensible practice to wear a PFD and once you get used to them you don't realise they are on. There seems to be a bit of a stigma attached to paddlers wearing PFDs in flatwater races and I think that is one of the reasons why some people don't wear them.

As we all filtered into the Bull Creek cove it became a little crowded and we fought for room as we weaved our way around the moored boats. To make things a little more exciting, division 1 paddlers were catching up, led by Josh Kippin, Simon and Robby Roll and Matt Coutts. Shannon Sime was a little further behind. Shannon has only been paddling a K1 for about a year but he has really taken the bull by the horns and seems to be determined to do really well. I imagine he lost a little time in the rough water which Josh and Matt are masters at.

As we streamed out of the cove the shallows seem to swallow us up and slow us down to a near halt but this was nothing to what was to come. The water soon deepened and more of the div 1 paddlers passed as we headed straight into a strong head wind. We had only been paddling ten minutes and we have had rough water, had to dodge boats, struggle through shallows and now we had the wind. I could feel it was going to be such a great race!

As we approached Salter point John Hilton passed us. This was his training area so he knew it well. Follow him I thought, he will guide us through the shallows. The next thing I saw was John clipping the Salter Point spit post. Maybe following him wasn't such a good idea! Ahead of us was the first line of posts that run down the river about 230 metres out from the south-east shoreline. The posts were first constructed by convicts, hence the reason why they are called the convict fence. We kept to the left of the posts and caught up with Erica, then Bonnie in her Epic V10L. We tried passing her but she just didn't give up and sat on our wash. It was shallow so it felt as if we were bogging down but I couldn't believe we couldn't get past her, I mean we were two fit people in a race kayak. I started to get embarrassed but I just knew we had to lose her or we would be the talk of the town. After several attempts at sprinting away we finally managed to get in front which you can imagine made me feel much better.

We later passed the Shelley Sailing Club at Prisoners Point where we had to keep between the spit posts to keep to the deep water. Another line of posts came up, although most were exposed some were just hidden under the water ready to rip off underslung rudders.

Josh heading to the portage. Photo Lawrence Greed

It was still quite shallow, not extreme but shallow enough to make paddling hard, then we rounded another point between markers posts and saw the pipeline before Shelly Bridge about 900metres away. Here it really shallowed to the extent that our rudder at times was scraping the mud. Some of the paddlers we had just passed started passing us including Peter Martin who clipped the back of our kayak possibly because we had slowed down so much. There was no way he would have passed us in deep water but with the boat dragging the bottom and the extra weight in the rear of the K2 we were really struggling to make headway. Peter passed with ease, then we got a bigger surprise, John and Helen Breed started passing. They apparently had a bad start but now they were making up for it. They skimmed across the water like a hovercraft with a jet motor on the back. I couldn't believe how fast and effortless they were skirting across the shallows. They weighed little, had a kayak with a trailing rudder and a buoyant boat. We continued to struggle while John and Helen fled away in the distance like two angels floating above a cloud.

Josh jumping out at the portage. Photo Lawrence Greed

Matthew and Nicholas at the portage. Note the lady like exit of Steve on the left. Photo Lawrence Greed

It wasn't long before we reached the portage between Shelly and Riverton Bridges. We were greeted by black smelly mud. Thank god I had my booties on as many paddlers cut their feet, but the black oozing mud swilled in my booties from then on. As we jogged along the grassed portage we were catching John and Helen who were walking so we gained a little.

We entered the mud again at the end of the portage as John and Helen took off. We started struggling again when the water shallowed upstream of Riverton Bridge. Daniel Bowen and Jack Cappendel, two under 16 year olds were beside us. We had caught them up but they weren't going to let us pass but as we entered a narrow section the boys, like true gentlemen let us go first. 300 metres later where there is usually a short cut which was not paddleable today it shallowed so much that Steve Bolger on an Epic ski had to get off because his rudder was hitting the bottom. Our rudder also started scraping but we leant as far forward as we could to try to take the weigh off it. We slowed to almost virtual halt but we got through without getting out.




Come on Alaine lets go. Photo Lawrence Greed

Mick Mantell started passing us as we struggled, so did Steve Bolger and a couple of other boats. It was frustrating seeing all these boats that we usually beat pass us. A little further Josh was heading back with the Rolls and Matt Coutts a ways behind him. A line of faster boats were returning from the Kent Street Weir turn buoy. John and Helen met us, they were so far in front we had no chance of catching up, but at least we still had young Daniel and Jack behind us.

Josh flying home. Photo Lawrence Greed

There seemed to be a big upset in the multisport class. Martin Watson was leading with Patrick Tullock finally finishing 50 seconds behind. Patrick had seemed to be unbeatable so what happened? Peter Liddle had beat Martin at the last race but today Peter was over 2 minutes behind. So what had Martin done in the last four weeks to make him so fast!

Even that flamboyant Steve Coffey was doing really well, coming first in the 3rd division and beating Alaine and I by 3 minutes. Surely it must have been a mistake, or were we feeling unwell or something and didnt know it, we have never been this slow. To make matters worse we then met Mick Mantell, Peter Martin and Alan Moreby, all paddlers that we usually beat.

We approached the turn buoy feeling a little depressed and it didnt help that we didnt do a tight turn, nevertheless we wasted no time when we straightened up and rushed back to the finish line hoping for some miracle to get us up to our opposition. When we thought we were really putting the power on young Daniel and Jack drew up beside us and started chatting to each other like they were on a social paddle. We were breathless, well I was, Alaine seemed to be able to chat and to me that only meant she wasn't working hard enough but of course she disputes that! We told the lads that they weren't allowed to beat us but they didn't seem to take any notice. At the very shallow section I thought I would let the boys go first, thinking that we would easily pass them when we wanted to, but that was a mistake as we were unable to catch them up.

We picked up the pace in that last kilometre, but so did the boys, in fact they accelerated away from us and beat us over the line, like many others that I would rather not mention.

As everyone gathered at the finish line I trudged back through the mud to give our number back while Alaine sat in the kayak. We left the paddlers at the finish line to paddle back to the start as we couldn't be bothered to do a car shuffle earlier.

The paddle back was easier as we paddled with the wind but when we reached the ski area the boats were going in circles and waves were hitting us in all directions. We bounced around all the way back to Deep Water Point and we were happy to be back on the sand.

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In Division 1, Joshua Kippin.(AKC), on his first home waters race after the World Marathons and a South African Racing Season ran out an easy winner. The Roll, Father and son combination (AKC) came in second, with Matt Coutts.(PP) 3rd. These 3 where then followed in by the rest of the mixed Doubles, Triples, Open Doubles and singles of this division. Bronwyn Martin.(AKC) was the first lady single home.

Division 2 was lead home by young Chris Bond.(AKC) with Martin Watson.(AKC) trying to up hold the honour of the older paddlers. Glen Stewart. (EVENT) was third across the line. In this group the U14 Greed boys bought their K2 home in 6th position with Tess Watson.(AKC) first Div. 2 lady but 5 minutes behind her father.

Division 3 was only a small class this race and Steve Coffey.(AKC) went for broke and collected the win. Peter Martin. (AKC) came in second with Alan Morby. (AKC) third. Jane Liddle. (AKC) was the first Div. 3 lady home with the husband and wife team of Cynthia & Steve Coward.(CRCC) leading the mixed bag of K2s in this group.

Division 4 had a couple of ring ins from Canoe Polo and the father and daughter team of Nicky & Bryan Lee. (PCPC) easily ran out winners. The handicapper will catch up with them now. 2nd to 4th was Caleb Bushby.(CLBC), Kye Buytels.(AKC) and Tim Feasey. (AKC) youngsters stretching their wings. Daniel Bowen. & Jack Cappendale. (U14s, CLBC) was the first Div. 4 K2 home and Yasmin Ray.(BPC) the first lady in Div. 4 home. Notable in this Division was Kathy Mallory (ParaA) paddling with her husband Ron (both CLBC) in a K2 and Doug Hodson. (AKC) (ParaLTA) on a ski who did the portage.

 

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Down Wind Race Saturday

Brendan Rice won the Down wind race on Saturday, second was John Wilkie and third Travis England. Ruth Highman was the first women.

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Social Paddling

Hi Terry, our group Paddled from MAAC,s club to Trigg Island on Sunday.
Here are some photo,s at Trigg Island.
Stephen Morup

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CWA Kayaking Symposium Albany
Feb 28th till the 8th of March

You can come for the long weekend or the whole week (recommended) Albany Rotary park on the beach in Little Grove opposite the Harbour. Dormitory accommodation, camping or some caravan spots. BYO food and enjoy shaded grassy ovals, full kitchen, covered BBQ's in a pristine secluded location.

 

 


Race of the Week

2014 Australian Canoe Marathon Championships

Ballarat

Lake Wendouree
The 'Be the Influence Tackling Binge Drinking' 2014 Australian Canoe Marathon Championships will be held
at Lake Wendouree, Ballarat.

Lake Wendouree is 2.5K from the centre of Ballarat. The lake has been used for many rowing regattas and
canoe events over the years and was the home of rowing for the 1956 Olympics. During the recent drought
the lake was dry but has now been returned to its former glory and measures have been taken to ensure it
stays that way.

Weather conditions in April are the normal Victorian autumn, cool in the morning with generally clear days.
Race headquarters is located just near the finishing box at the southwestern end of the lake.
Please visit www.visitballarat.com.au for more about Ballarat its attractions and much more.

 

Map of the Course
The course on Lake Wendouree is freshwater not affected by tides or currents. As with most waterways it
can be wind affected.

The course may change depending on conditions and other unforeseen factors. Final course details will be
confirmed at the Main Briefing on Friday 18 April 2014. It is the responsibility of Team Managers and/or
competitors to confirm the final course prior to racing.

The portage is a pontoon exit and entry with approximately 100m from the exit to enter points. From
pontoon to pontoon it is a grass and concrete verge. Foot protection is recommended.

 

 


Race of the Week


CWA State Sprint Championships
February 15/16th

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V Adventure Race Fremantle
Sunday February 16, 2014.

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Come & Try FREE Slalom Kayaking
Sunday 16th February 2014,
at ASCOT KAYAK CLUB
Sunday 16th February 2014, 9.30am-
at the picturesque grounds of Garvey Park, Fauntleroy Avenue, Ascot
Registration Closes- Friday 14th Feb '14-Limited Numbers
To Register for Come & Try and our New Paddle Passport Program please
email: akcslalom@gmail.com or phone the below contacts
Jenny Vogel-Slalom WA Secretary - 0427 449824
Charlie Collin-Ascot Slalom junior intake coordinator-0411 237 931 or 08 9272 7228


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AKC/CRCC City Lights race
Sun Mar 2, 2014 4pm - 9pm
This is a race you have to paddle as a pair; either two singles or one double.

Sponsored by Canoeing Down Under
Enter & Information here: http://www.ascot.canoe.org.au/?Page=13120


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Oscar Chalupsky Coaching Clinic
8th 9th March

Flatwater sessions in the morning - Ocean sessions in the afternoon
Oscar Chalupsky, 12 times winner of the Molakai Race is heading back to WA in March for more coaching clinics.

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Marathon Championships
8th 9th March

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The Great Swan River Paddle
Reclink Charity Paddle

EVENT DETAILS
Date: Saturday 15th March 2014
Time: 9:00am start
Event Briefing: 8:45am
Registrations Open: 7:30am
Venue: Point Belches, Mill Point Road, Perth.
Registrations now open at- www.reclink.org/paddle

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2nd Hand Boats

 

Mirage Max Kayaks K1: Very Good Condition. $1250.00
High Deck Wizard great for the Avon Descent or for fitness. $900.00
Van Dusen Double K2: Best suited to lighter crews: $990.00
Finn Kayak with Pod: $750.00
Two Up Double open kayak: $600.00

Please call us about our used boats 9378 1333