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Northam to Toodyay
Unlike other years I wasn't running a whitewater course this
particular weekend so it was an opportunity to paddle the
race from Northam to Toodyay and part of the Avon Descent
course at race pace, and although the river wasn't high it
had more water in it than the last two Avon Descents.
The hardest part of the race was asking my wife to get up
at 6.00am to be my support team. I'm shy when it comes to
asking other paddlers and even more so when it comes to asking
my wife. To avoid bothering anyone I had thoughts of paddling
to the start of the race as it could be easier but that would
take three days and not really practical. I could cycle there
but what about my kayak. Despite thinking of asking Jenny
several times I let it go trying to find the right moment.
You know what it's like trying to find the right moment! But
it was getting too close to the event so there was no alternative
for me but to pick up the courage and grovel and ask her if
she would be my support. Then when she said yes, it turned
out being easier than I had imagined, but I was going to owe
her a lot of favours after that.
As we drove across the ranges towards Mundaring the full moon
was just amazing as it was setting in the west and eventually
when we motored over the last highest point just before Northam
hot air balloons welcomed us to the valley.
Being a smaller race than the Avon Descent there was a lot
of parking close to the start. Rosie and Zac and other volunteers
were there waiting for competitors to arrive. There wasn't
a rush at registration so it was very casual and calm.
Paddlers milling around
registration
I was paddling my black Avenger Wild
Water kayak (DR) which was one of three DR kayaks I have and
I was off on grid 1 with 24 other paddlers. Although it's
now my bash boat, it is still in good condition and has completed
about 9 Avon Descents so I hoped it still knew its way down
the river. Every 2-3 years I usually take off doing a big
expedition at Avon Descent time but this year I was staying
home so it was going to be my 24th Avon. That's not many considering
a few paddlers have paddled it 30 odd times, which I would
have done if I hadn't been off doing other much bigger challenges
when the Avon was on.
I'm keen
to get going
For the first 10-15 years
many of the paddlers entering the Avon Descent used DR kayaks
and had to paddle in pairs. Back then it was the fastest craft.
I remember in 1979, my second Avon, Lindsay Binning and Chris
Ward (Chris had won it 3 times before) beat me and Steve Pilton.
Chris and Lindsay were the first I think to use lightweight
Kevlar kayaks. In 1980 Steve and I came third and since then
I have gone downhill. It was in 1983 when they changed to
marathon rules and the longer, faster K1s came into the race.
That killed the DR class. However in 1983 Darryl Long still
won in a DR kayak in 7:56:09 with M Kersten 8:31:41 being
the first composite ski.
The international rules also meant that
paddlers raced alone. At that time I thought it took away
an important factor from the race. Having a buddy to train
with was great motivation and it really got you involved in
the race and having a buddy by your side down the rapids was
very reassuring and you had great stories of the journey to
share at the end. There was a mateship. Nowadays that real
mateship, that bond, that dependence of each other has gone.
There are now only a hand full of paddlers paddling DR kayaks
in the race, which I can understand, cause who in the right
mind would want to race a fairly short kayak long distances
in swirling waters without a rudder!
The Avon Descent has certainly changed
over the years and it has progressed, but has that progression
now taking a dive. It's hard to feel the excitement and being
involved and part of it any more. The magic that once used
to surround the event seemed to have gone. The scrutineering
day was an inconvenience for some but it was a get together,
a mini festival, a publicity promotion and an important factor
of making sure every competitor had his or her boat and equipment
in good order.
In today's race there was less pressure. It was a lot more
relaxed and much easier to get the boat in the water. The
first grid lined up with me being closest to the bank. The
horn sounded and we were off. A few minutes into the race
I tangled with Alan Moreby who was next to me. The worst part
of not having a rudder is that you get drawn into the wash
of other boats and when you do it's difficult to get away
from them. Like true gentlemen we both apologised for getting
too close. Soon after Alan who was on my right side said he
was going to portage and I was between him and his portage
point, so I slowed a little to let him move over.
The composite paddlers
on grid one race away from all the plastics
About 3 paddlers in composite
skis had cleared the weir as I approached. A bunch of other
paddlers were going down the right side giving me a clear
run on the left side. They seemed to have got bogged down
so I slid down the concrete and out at the bottom ahead of
them. Yes I like it when things go right. At this point there
were only three boats ahead of me, but a ski nearly ruined
my run when he got stuck sending me off in another direction
which actually worked pretty well. At the last years Avon
Descent things didn't go quite as well for me at the weir,
so I was pretty chuffed that I was ahead, although I knew
that couldn't last.
Somehow I was ahead of Samatha Pilton,
although she beat me to the weir, the old boy has a little
life left in him. A few minutes later she caught up and started
passing me. She slipped by with little resistance and left
this little old man, who is 2 years away from collecting his
pension, trying to keep up. I huffed and puffed, but it did
no good she crept away. She ended up being 9 mins faster in
the 30kms but I wasn't that disappointed she is in her prime.
For a long time I could see Sam just in front of me chasing
down a guy in a composite single ski. The faster paddlers
were on later grids so for a while no one else caught up.
Josh Kippin leading the field in the K1 class. Photo John
O'Sullivan.
To see more of Johns
photos go to:
http://wanakikamoocow.smugmug.com/Sports/Paddling/Northam-to-Toodyay-Race2014/
The water level was still
tricky with shallows and coffee rock islands that were just
hidden beneath the water. For the next few kilometres I picked
my way down the river watching the route that Sam was taking
and it wasn't long before the first of the faster paddlers
started to pass. Ben Carrick and James Duncan in long plastics
were flying. They are going to be the two to watch in the
Avon Descent. As I bogged down in the shallows more of the
longer sleeker hulls of the plastic skis were passed by and
they seemed to slip across the water like there were no shallows.
It seemed one hell of a long way to Katrine Bridge, Sam was
out of sight but all was going well until Sue Quick, who was
also in DR kayak caught up and finally started to pass. I
thought that's fine I have beaten her in flat water races
in a DR, so I should be able to keep up. How wrong was I!
Sue must also be in her prime, although she is a lot older
than Sam, she slipped across the shallows as easy as a dragon
fly hovers across the water. It wasn't long before she started
leaving me behind and although I tried going faster, breathed
heavier, she just kept going. I soon realised I had no hope
of catching her, I was defeated. Don't you hate when someone
passes you and they don't look like they are working hard!
Moving under Katrine Bridge
With two women having passed
me, one in a similar kayak to mine I started to spiral in
depression, well probably that was stretching it a bit, they
were great paddlers, but nevertheless it dented my confidence
and had me thinking about the seniors home I would soon be
booking into! I was cheered up a little when I saw 6 kangaroos
jumping along the river bank.
Occasionally I sneaked a look over my shoulder to see if I
could see anyone I knew close by. I expected to see the red
Wavehopper of Peter Liddle to be close and I thought I did
catch glimpses but luckily for me the red was always in the
distance. What I didn't know though was that Bonnie McDougal
was close, she said later she could see me twist and turn.
Bonnie is one of the regular ladies at our Saturday morning
training and we get a lot of pleasure and fun in bantering
and racing each other. There were about 22 paddlers from our
CDU group taking part in the race, including 5 ladies so I
had to paddle hard to keep in front of them.
I finally arrived at Katrine Bridge
where it was packed with spectators. I heard a few people
chant my name as I chased Sue towards Glen Avon Rapid. In
the long pool there were a few more paddlers pass including
Josh Kippin and Matthew Dean who ended up being first and
second over the line. Then the doubles of Grant Pepper and
Bronwyn Martin and Kevin and Wendy White went by. Grant had
paddled the course the day before so I tried to watch where
he paddled down the Glen Avon weir drop so I could take the
same line.
The drop was rocky and for a moment I became wedged between
the boulders but I managed to pull myself through to face
the main drop. The bottom of the drop looked nasty, the rock
hiding beneath the big wave looked as if could easily destroy
my dream run. My dream kept intact as I safely cleared the
drop but the current pushed me over to the left, towards an
overhanging tree branch but luckily I was able to miss it,
I heard later became a problem for some paddlers.
Sam Pilton ladies winner
paddling down Glen Avon River. Phot John O'Sullivan
From Glen Avon there was
nothing ahead of concern so it was full speed, although I
was feeling a little flat, weary and light-headed. I don't
usually get weary, the shallow water, or knowing Sue was ahead
must have been sapping my energy, so I was glad this wasn't
the day of the Avon Descent. Although the small rapids were
entertaining, the bends and the cross currents and my tiredness
were making it much harder for me to control my kayak. I was
longing for the long deep pool before Extracts Weir to be
free of the shallow water and be able to dig deep.
Steve Coffee and David
Martin fighting it out or just being friendly at Glen Avon
Rapid. Photo John O'Sullivan
As I entered the long pool
a few faster paddlers passed me and Sue was still in the distance
and getting further away from me. I was feeling better though
as I knew there was only 5 kms to go after Extracts which
was close. I reached the portage point and balanced next to
the bank and stepped out of the kayak, picked it up and started
trotting. I then saw a beautiful sight. It was the hull of
a DR kayak waving in the air. I'm sure it was Sue's kayak.
How happy was I to see her. I kept trotting along towards
the river's edge and beyond where Sue was putting in so I
could get in front of her. My energy levels suddenly perked
up and I was in the race again.
I was thinking about eating a chew, but with my energy levels
lifted it was more important not to waste time in unwrapping
one but to get ahead of Sue. She said later that she had to
empty the water out of her kayak and she hadn't seen me pass
her.
You can't believe my pleasure I felt when I moved away from
the bank and Sue was nowhere to be seen. I started paddling
hard. I turned the first corner and looked back to see no
one behind. I just knew if I paddled my heart out she would
not be able to pass me. The closer I got to Toodyay the happier
I became but later I got a glimpse of her in the distance
but she was a long way away. Sue was a tough competitor so
I just couldn't ease up, but it was beautiful sight to see
the finish line with no one behind me.
I crossed the line and paddled beyond the bridge to get out.
Two young guys who had passed me earlier were celebrating
on the bank. They were paddling pretty fast when they passed
me but they kept talking to each other and slowing down. They
will be great paddlers when they get more distance experienced
and are able to keep paddling hard for the entire race.
I lifted my kayak and dropped it on the river bank and walked
over to the finish line. Sue was just arriving and then Bonnie
came in followed by Peter. That was close, I only just managed
to get in before them all.
Bonnie McDougal, Rosie
Evans, Baillee Liddle and Will
It wasn't long before Baillee arrived
and then her mum Jane who wasn't too far behind with Erica
soon after. I love beating the girls, they are a tough lot
and they are always pretty determined to beat me. I was very
proud with their performances and it showed me that I would
have to work very hard in the future if I wanted to beat them.
Many of the guys from our group were also coming in and as
everyone congratulated each other it was party time.
Bonnie McDougal and Erica
McKnight
Being on different grids it was hard
to know who had actually done the fastest time. Sadly there
were a few guys in our group who beat me. It just means I'm
going to have to train harder and get up on these cold mornings.
Second thoughts I don't mind sleep and being beaten.
The Liddle bunch (Peter,
Baillee and Jane) with Bonnie and Josh Bowman
Kevin Goble and Jason
Gardner happy to finish
Natalie Aloi. Another
lady rolls in.
Well the day turned out being complete
sun shine, it couldn't have been better. We gathered around
and had our free hot dog, fruit and drink before presentation.
At $10.00, including the food, and good organisation, it was
the cheapest race that I have ever been in. I think next year
it should be at least $20.00 and it would be still good value.
It was certainly a good day and my wife Jenny actually enjoyed
it, so maybe with a little bribing I just might be able to
get her to be my support next year.
Results here:
http://www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=25220
Thanks to the organisers and volunteers.
Peter Martin
Warren Southwell
Shayne Hamilton
Kellie Stubley
Leonie Cockman
Russell Miles
Cindy Coward
Steve Myers
Robyn Khorshid
Ian Quinn
Kate Vyvyan
Shirley Go
Sue Walker
Graeme and Nat Godwin
Murray Corp
Lorraine Eastwell
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