Olympian Clint Robinson (OAM) is coming to town
For a round of serious Coaching Clinics in Kayak & Surf Ski
Dates June 20th, 21st & 22nd.

More details to come

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Saturday Morning Fitness Training

This Saturday
7.15am Sandy Beach Reserve, Bassendean
PFDs must be worn

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The PRS First Single Craft (including K1s) in the 2012 Avon Descent

Travis England paddling a PRS in the 2012 Avon Descent. He was the first single craft over the line with a time of 11.41.39. Only 10 top double kayaks beat him.

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This Week's Specials

Avon PRS SPECIAL

$1499.00

Elite (lightweight shell), trailing rudder, metal pedals

Don't miss out on this great special

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Avon River Shirts

Normally $50.00 Special $25.00

The CDU Avon Shirt is a quality comfortable shirt to wear. For all those paddlers who have paddled in the Avon Descent or down the Avon River can wear it with pride.

The shirt has an outline of the Avon River with nearly all the rapids and major points listed on the shirt.

This is a great present to yourself or to other people.

The Rod Fry Race

We arrived early to get parking but we needn't have hurried as there turned out to be plenty. The carpark later filled but there were still a few spaces left by race briefing. This really indicated that there weren't that many paddlers at the race. I suppose it was a long weekend so many paddlers would be away and paddlers can't get to every race, especially if they have a family. Next week's race, the John Sims race is usually very popular so if participation is down in that race it might mean paddlers are losing interest in flatwater racing. Another popular race, the Paddle Challenge usually gets a good turn up as it is advertised as an Avon Descent seeding race, so it encourages more paddlers to attend.

Rod Fry was a great canoe paddler so I thought it fitting that I should paddle a canoe, to remember Rod and bring back some great memories of our one sided duels. He was so much better than me but somebody had to come second.

Alaine and I carried our big canoe down the dreaded steps to the clubhouse. Other paddlers felt sorry for us as they thought it was a heavy beast but it only weighed 19 kg. Alaine went through the usual banter from other paddlers; I see Terry has you paddling in the front so he can make sure you are paddling, one said. I won't mention the other comments!

Rod died several years ago so most paddlers attending wouldn't have known him but there were a few paddlers who did. Lindsay Binning, a four time Australian Slalom Champion paddled with Rod. After winning his fourth Australian Championship Lindsay stopped paddling for many years but he recently took up downwind paddling and he was racing today. Ian Kinnimonth and of course, Darryl Long, who doesn't miss many races, were also there to remember Rod.

The briefing. Our canoe looked a little tubby beside the Epic skis (I am only talking about the Canoe!!)

Nearly ready to hit the water. The canoe (Minnesota 11) made in the USA, all kevlar is only 19kg. Photo San Luu

The weather was quite glorious considering the storm the night before. It looked very calm in the bay and we were all eager to get off after the briefing. There were lots of volunteers who had things well organized but the start line was somewhat angled in favour of the paddlers further away from the jetty.

It was pretty calm in the bay but it did get worse once we got around the corner. Photo San Luu

Bryan Lee and his daughter Nicky ready to take off. They did it in 55.22.40

John Tomczac paddling in the sea kayak class. He started 2 minutes behind us but managed to catch us up and pass us. He had his compass on the deck to make sure he didn't get lost. The Mirage 580 Sport is 18kgs.

Lining up to the start line. Photo San Luu

We took off with all the Molakai skis and the doubles which turned out being the biggest grid. We didn't seem to be doing so bad as we headed down the first straight. We were even in front of a few other paddlers but by the time we reached Chidley Point most had passed us. We chased three slower ski paddlers towards Roe Point which was hard work. The flat conditions had deteriorated over the last hour due to a pretty stiff wind which made paddling a little tough along this section.

By the time we cleared Roe Point the fastest K1s of John Hilton and Peter Tomczac started passing. They had started two minutes behind and were well ahead of Andrew Hewlett who was coming third. The water was well ruffled, the wind was strong, the waves from passing power boats lifted the canoe's bow clean out of the water. The bow then slammed down with a violent thud and with every lift and every thud the canoe was slowed. It didn't help having the weight of Alaine in the front! The side wind was also playing havoc with our steering. Not having a rudder and paddling with single bladed paddles didn't help but there was no point in grumbling.

We crossed the channel just before a large power boat came through. Soon after Brad Stewart and John Carrol on plastic PRSs came flying by. Although they were struggling a little, unlike our bow, their sharp PRS bows cut through the waves like a knife through a cheese cake. At the corner of the yacht club the tide showed its strength, forcing us to struggle even more than we were before. Here Tatiana Brown started passing us in her K1. Alaine asked how she was going, Tatian replied that she was struggling with her balance but at least she was still afloat when she passed us. Tatiana said she hoped to paddle the Avon Descent in a team paddling K1s and if she couldn't paddle this race she wouldn't be able to paddle the Avon. She never capsized so it looks as if she will be doing the Avon. Young Caleb Bushby in a K1 also passed us. He was the youngest paddler doing the long course and he made it look quite easy.

By the time we crossed the channel, to where the Water Police building was, the faster paddlers were heading back. Leading the way was Brett McDonald with Mark Lawson several metres behind. Brett was in a great position and seemingly destined to beat Mark but apparently Mark fought his way back but was pipped at the post by Brett by less than a second.

Helped by the tide, the faster paddlers skimmed across the water on the way back. They made it look so easy as we pushed hard against the wind and tide. Alan Moreby, Dave Tupling and John Breed, who had started two minutes behind us, in sea kayaks pulled up beside us. I was quite surprised to see all three together. I had expected John to be well ahead as he has been much faster in other races, so was he losing his touch. Most likely John was saving himself, but at the end he only beat Alan by two seconds, so Alan did really well.

Brad Stewart was now several metres ahead of John Carrol who had struggled in the choppy water but like Mark he clawed his way back but he wasn't quite fast enough, so Brad won out.

When we finally turned around the bridge pylon and headed back, paddling was a dream. The tide and the wind were with us. All I had to do now was it get Alaine to stop looking at the scenery and get her to concentrate on a stronger paddle stroke. I think she still thinks these races are social paddles!

A guy on a ski ahead of us was having trouble with his balance in the choppy water from the passing power boats so we soon passed him. It wasn't long though before John Tomczac crept up and overtook us just before Roe Point. It was a chance for us to get a bit of a ride so we tried desperately to stay on John's wash. He wavered across the water making it difficult for us to stay on his wash but we managed it for a while at least.

Back at Chidley Point and the last 1.3kms we were still chasing him but then a wave from a distance boat came crashing through. Our bow reared up and slammed down slowing us to a virtual halt and this was enough for John to get away. A minute later a ski paddler overtook us but another set of waves slowed us again and he just kept going.

The end was now near. We could see the finish line through the gaps in the anchored boats but we didn't manage to pick up enough pace to catch John or the ski paddler before the end. Although we fought no duels today it was still a great paddle and very enjoyable.

Rod would have been proud to know a race was named after him.

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Brett McDonald on a ski had the fastest time of 51:54.30

John Hilton was the fastest K1 with a time of :54:51.90

Daryl Long and Sue Quick were the fastest double with a time of 52:39.50

Brad Stewart was the fastest long plastic with a time of 1:00:42.80

Full results here:
http://www.swan.canoe.org.au/site/canoeing/swan/downloads/2014/Rod-Fry-2014-results.pdf

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Jason Beachcroft makes his way around Tasmania

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Sandy Robson finishes her trip around Sri Lanka

Around Sri Lanka: 33 Days: 1235.3kms

April 23rd, Palaithive Island to Pesalai, 50km, I am pointing at the storm that was following me this afternoon, I made it into camp before the lightning show and torrential downpour. Monsoon is here! Thismorning was extremely hot so I had to jump in the sea and fully cool off. The clouds and the cool breeze were my air conditioning all afternoon. Not far to the finish line for the Sri Lanka circumnavigation. It has been amazing! Thankyou to all of the wonderful people who have helped me and for all the cups of tea (guys on the beach with a thermos to greet me today - legends!)

April 24th, Pesalai to Thalaimannar finish point at what will soon be Adam’s Bridge Resort, 16.7km, my trip around Sri Lanka concluded with a lovely navy send off from Pesalai at 12noon and then a short paddle around the point accompanied by a navy escort offshore. My sponsor Marc and his team awaited on the beach with a huge banner on the finish line and a large crowd of locals gathered there, having seen me depart 33days ago. It was a magical ending to the Sri Lanka circumnavigation. A small fishing boat took me out past the sand bank to the navy boat so that I could personally thank them for their support.

In the evening we had a BBQ and a few beers to celebrate.

The Statistics for those who like them:
Sri Lanka Circumnavigation

Days: 33
Total Kms: 1235.3
Days off the water: 6
Paddling Days: 27
Average km/day: 45.8km
Longest Paddling Leg: 109km
No, Days Camping: 12
No. Days with a Roof (hotel, guest house etc): 21
Favourite camping site: Lanka Patuna
Favourite guest houses: Tranquility Coral Cottages in Vakarai & Surya Garden Guest House in Tangalle
Favourite meals: Hotel Pearl Negombo -Mannar Crab Curry, Adam’s Bridge Resort, Thalaimannar - Finish line BBQ, Lions Rest Welligama- Seafood BBQ, Siam View Restauant, Arugam Bay - Thai Curry
Most amazing transport: Armoured Personel Carrier (unforgettable)

Have You Seen All the Jellyfish in the River

At the moment the river in the upper reaches are full of jellyfish. There are thousands of them and the most I have ever seen in Bassendean ever.

There are two types of Jellyfish found in the swan river. These are:

Phyllorhiza punctata- a brown jellyfish
and Aurelia Aurita- a white jellyfish

Brown Jellyfish near Ron Courtney Island

There are lots of jellyfish in the Swan River. At some times there may be thousands or even hundreds of thousands in the river. There are more brown jellyfish than white jellyfish.

How long do they live?
Jellyfish usually live for between 3-4 months, but sometimes may live up to a year and a half.

Can they sting me?
The jellyfish in the Swan River do have stings, but they are so small that we can't feel it and it doesn't hurt. Sometimes they might have tentacles from other jellyfish tangled up in them, which could hurt us.

Are they always in the river?
The two types of jellyfish in the Swan River like salty water. In summer, the river water is salty, and so we can see lots of jellyfish. In winter the river is not as salty, and the jellyfish go out to the ocean or die. We cannot see as many.

What do jellyfish eat??
Jellyfish mainly eat tiny animals called zooplankton and baby fish.

Looking after jellyfish
If you find a jellyfish in the river it is best not to touch it. Although jellyfish cannot feel pain, they can become stressed if they are touched too much.

Brown Jellyfish
(Phyllorhiza punctata)

Description
Brown Jellyfish are characterised by a bell that is usually saucer-shaped and brown with white spots. These jellyfish are brown in colour due to a dinoflagellate alga that lives in the jellyfish tissues. The jellyfish’s mouth is under the bell and surrounded by long stinging tentacles. These animals have a stomach cavity and reproductive organs inside the thick jelly of the bell. These jellyfish grow to a width of 50cm.

Distribution
Brown Jellyfish are widespread in oceans and estuaries in the IndoPacific, in the tropical western Atlantic and in the eastern Pacific. They occur in Australian water from north Queensland through the south-east to the south-west. They occur in the Swan Canning Riverpark, but not other estuaries along the west coast. Although they are able to move by making pulsing movements, ocean currents and ship movements have a big influence on their distribution. They are thought to have been introduced into the Swan Canning Riverpark by ships that serviced the Swan River colony between 1829 and 1837. However, the southward movement of jellyfish with the Leeuwin Current is also a plausible explanation for their presence here.

Habitat
Brown Jellyfish usually occur near the surface of oceans and estuaries where their food is most abundant. They are most common in the Swan Canning Riverpark in summer and in areas where salinity exceeds 25ppt. They are absent when surface waters are dominated by low salinity water after winter rainfall.

Biology
Brown Jellyfish feed on small planktonic algae and zooplankton (including eggs and larval fish). Adult jellyfish (medusa) produce eggs and sperm that are released into the water. After fertilisation eggs develop into larvae called planula that attach to rocks. These grow into polyps that eventually release medusa when they are approximately 1mm in diameter. This usually occurs between November and December and the medusa are large enough to reproduce sexually within 6 weeks. The polyps of this species have not been located but are thought to occur in the Swan Canning Riverpark.

Two fish species are known to be associated with these jellyfish. The larvae of the Mosaic Leatherjacket and Trevally make use of the jellyfish for shelter, transportation and planktonic food, which is trapped and killed in the jellyfish’s stinging tissue. The young fish are immune to the stinging tentacles and can even eat them. This association does not appear to benefit the jellyfish, nor does it seem to do them any great harm. When they are a few centimetres long
these fish leave their hosts and occupy habitat elsewhere.

Threats
Often caught in prawning nets and left on shorelines. Often played with by children. Although jellyfish cannot feel pain, they can become stressed if they are touched too much.

Conservation
This is thought to be an introduced species to the Swan Canning Riverpark

Swan River Trust Fact Sheet

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An Egret's Dance

Pictures taken from my canoe along Ashfield Parade

How graceful

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Olympian Jesse Phillips

puts on the power

John Sims Race

When: Sunday 4 May 2014

Race Start and finish: Ascot Kayak Club AKC, Fauntleroy Ave, Ascot
Categories: Kayaks, Skis and Canoes
Event Organiser: Ascot Kayak Club (AKC)

GUPPY/NOVICE JUNIOR RACE

Registration Opens
7.00 am Guppy Registration Opens
7.30 am Guppy Registration Closes
8.00 am Guppy Race Starts
Presentations shortly after last guppy finishes

MAIN RACE/SHORT COURSE

7.30 am Main Race & Short Course Registration Opens
8.30 am Registration Closes
8.45 am Race Briefing – All participants must be present
9.20 am Race Start
11.30 am Last paddlers due at Finish Line.

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WWR Buoys Race

10th May 2014

The first of six (6) races for the 2014 Wild Water season is scheduled to begin on Saturday the 10th May at
the Ascot Kayak Club, the day before Mothers’ Day.

The race is open to all boats which have no rudders or alternatively have their rudders tied up.

Race details are:
Date: 10th May 2014
Venue: Ascot Kayak Club
Registration: 12:00hrs to 12:30hrs (No Registration after these times)
Briefing: 12:30hrs – 12:45hrs
Start: 13:00hrs
Entry Fee: $10 for CWA members and $20 for non members

Registration:
Online registration open till 9th May at 8.00pm (or on the race day till 12:30pm); goto:
http://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=21528

All queries to Alan Morbey on 0421 543 586 or email oxfordpl@iinet.net.au
Race Categories Class Gender

WWK1 U16/U18, open. 35+, 45+, 55+ M/F
Short Plastics, U16/18, open, 35+, 45+, 55+ M/F
Sundries, U16/U18, open M/F

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Double Barkers- 18th May

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Canoeing WA - Paddle Challenge - 25 May

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Canoe and Cray Carnival Kalbarri
May 31st - 1st June

Annacuda Sea Kayak: Fibreglass. $400.00

Max Kayaks K1 Mirage: Very Good Condition. $1250.00

Van Dusen Double K2: Best suited to lighter crews: $990.00

Two Up Double open kayak: $600.00



Please call us about our used boats 9378 1333