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Good Luck to those paddlers
entering this years Avon Descent.
With the water level guaranteed to be better than the last
two years I think everyone is going to enjoy the challenge.
If the water level stays above 0.7m at the park, some paddlers
who haven't experienced higher water levels may get a pleasant
surprise. With the higher water levels there is less time
to make a decision, the water pressure is more powerful and
if things go wrong the consequences are likely to be more
destructive. On a brighter note, the higher water level makes
your trip down super enjoyable and exciting and the memories
are going to last a life time.
So have a great time and be safe.
Is It Time To Give The Plastics
A Fair Go
For years the K1s have been the main focus of the prize money
but is it time the plastics boats get a shot at the bigger
prize? The majority of paddlers entering the Avon paddle plastic
boats so isn't it fair that at least for one year that paddlers
on plastics get a chance to win some good money. There is
no doubt we have some extremely fast ski paddlers who would
do very well paddling plastic skis, as they have shown that
in the past. One year a plastic ski beat the fastest K1 and
most years they have only been 15 - 50 minutes behind. Get
some top paddlers paddling plastics and the race would be
equally or even more exciting. Currently we have 6 or so great
K1 paddlers who take the lead but imagine if we could attract
all those great Australian and South African ski paddlers
to paddle plastic boats. I think the race would really be
on.
We have local plastic boat manufacturers supporting the Avon
Descent going through tough times at the moment, yet the class
of boats that gets all the recognition are made in South Africa.
Our manufacturers and shops have always given their support
so why not at least for once put the focuss on them. Without
our manufacturers who is going to build or improve the boats
that most Avon Descenters paddle. Do we really want to see
our boats made in China or South Africa.
Virtually all the top paddlers from South Africa paddle skis
as well as kayaks. Put them against our local top ski paddlers
and paddlers from the east like Clint Robinson and you will
have a fantastic fight on your hands. We don't want to lose
the art of paddling kayaks but I do think we owe it to the
paddlers paddling plastics to recognise them by lifting the
prize money even if it is at the expence of kayaks. Lets have
a rotation, one year kayaks, the next year plastics get the
top money. I'm sure you would still attract the big names,
if the money was right.
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Congratulations to Steve
Pilton's daugther Linda and her husband Ryan on the birth
of their baby boy.
Can you believe it.......Steve is now a Grandad!!
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I have been a part of the Avon Descent in one
way or another since 1978 with experience in safety, training,
assessing, encouragement, development, promotions, equipment,
sales and as a 24 time competitor. With the Avon Descent seemingly
losing its appeal (and with scrutinneering no longer happening,
a publicity opportunity and get together,) I think it's time
that a sub committee of interested people with different experience
be formed to advise the organisers and bring life back into
the race. I get lots of paddlers coming into the shop who
think the Avon has lost its way. The build up to the descent
now seems to be so lack luster. It needs an injection of enthusiasm
to make it the exciting race it has always been.
Thank goodness we have good water levels this
year to get paddlers excited again.
Bells Rapid at higher water level than we
have had it in the last two years. I doubt if it wil be this
big this year but at least there will be water and we won't
be walking.
Me, at the Washing Machine at Emus on a
cold, misty day in August
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Have you thought what could
happen to ruin your chances of finishing the Avon Descent.
There are several factors: lets hope none effect your
race
Equipment failure. ie broken rudder, holed boat, lost
paddle, broken paddle (if no spare paddle carried you can't
carry on)
Serious Crash: wrapping your boat around a tree or
rock is a possibility. The good thing about plastic boats
is that they are very resilient and will most likely bend
back in shape once you get it off the object. That can be
difficult if the water pressure is powerful. With the higher
water levels this year this could happen in the rapids.
Kayaks should be filled with air bags to prevent water from
getting inside. Water weighs heavy so floatation bags will
dispel the water and help the kayak to float high on the water
when capsized and this will reduce the possibility of boat
damage or a boat wrap. Less water in your kayak will be lighter
and be much easier to empty out.
Hypothermia - Can be caused by not wearing enough warm
clothing - capsizing in the freezing water and getting cold
- water splash can get you cold - wind chill can make you
cold: When you are cold it is hard to function properly. Dress
for the conditions and carry extra clothing inside your boat,
just in case.
Physical Fitness: If you have been training regularly
in the last 2 or more months you should finish the race. With
the water level being higher this year it will help a lot.
However if you are not physically fit it may result in you
missing the cut off times.
Skills: It's okay to have physical fitness but a lack
of skills can result in a lot of mistakes. Too many mistakes
can result in one big blunder and a serious crash. It's too
late to better your skills now, so one mistake and Ooopps
you could be out of the race. Don't worry it can also happen
to experienced paddler. Sometimes it's the luck of the draw.
Mental Strength - if you dont have mental toughness
it is easy to give up. Paddlers who give up for little reason
will kick themselves for years to come. When things are getting
tough try to push through it.
Injury: The worst thing that could happen is to get
an injury either from the elements (rocks etc) or from overuse.
Be careful with injuries. Serious overuse injuries could end
up being permanent. Becareful if you try to push through an
injury. This is certainly one time you may need to think about
stopping. As soon as you stop manage your injury. This might
be Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation or seeking medical help.
Don't just leave it, get advice.
Blisters: If you haven't paddled for 11 - 14 hours
over two days before you probably won't know if you are going
to get blisters or not. Usually hot spots will start developing
on your hands around the 2-3 hour mark and after another hour
or so they will start developing into a blister. This of course
is dependant on the individual. Once you get a blister it
is nearly impossible to get rid of it so the key is to prevent
blisters before they develop. Experienced paddlers will know
if they can handle 11 hours and get no blisters but I have
also seen experienced paddlers reach the end with hands of
raw skin.
When I am doing a really long paddle I wear gloves. You might
feel like a sissy but who cares the main objective is to get
through the race and have beautifiul looking hands at the
end of it. Sometimes I even wrap the fingers or parts of my
hands which I know will develop into a blister and then put
on a glove. This gives me two types of protection and when
I have finished the race my hands usually look like a baby's
bum and have no indication that I have been paddling.
I have paddled long distances, paddling over 100kms a day
for two month or more and not have a blister to show for my
effort. But it is only because I have worn gloves. Prevention
is the key.
Cramp. Cramp can be caused by poor physical condition,
mineral and electrolyte imbalances and tight inflexible muscles.
Muscle tissue relies, in part, on a range of minerals, electrolytes
and other chemicals in order to contract and relax. If you
are prone to cramps get advice.
If you get cramp - stretch and massage – lengthen the
cramping muscle using a gentle, sustained stretch then lightly
massage the area until the cramp subsides.
Sciatica – pain in the buttock and leg can be caused by
pressure on nerves in the lower back. In some cases, the irritated
nerve may prompt the associated muscles to contract.
Dead Legs: Many paddlers get dead legs due to unfavourable
sitting position, or sciatica.
Alan Moreby virtually falls out of his kayak
in the Northam to Toodyay race due to cramp
Stomach tightness: Your poor choice of foods or just
the tension of the race can have you stomach tighten or become
upset. Watch what you eat. Don't have overtight clothing or
spraydeck around the waist and try to keep relaxed.
Boat Choice: Slow boats are usually wide or short and
are usually quite stable so capsizes are less likely, although
if they are too slow your chances of finishing is less likely
unless the water is high. Fast boats are usually long and
narrow and the paddlers need to have more experience and have
good balance to handle them down the river. A tippy boat can
cause many capsizes. Let's hope you picked a boat suited to
your skills an ability as you have no time to change.
Lack of energy. It is important to keep up your energy
food intake without causing your stomach to get tight or upset.
It is a long race so you will need to pick the foods that
you know are going to give you the energy you need.
Be careful not to drink too much alcohol or have too much
sex the night before!!
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- This is the week that you need to get your gear sorted
out. Try to do you shopping and get things organised early
in the week so you can guarantee getting what you want before
race day.
- Scrutineering helmets and PFDs is at Northam on Friday.
Make sure you have a whistle attached to your PFD before
getting up there.
- Remember this weekend the power boats are practising in
the T Trees.
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