|
Avon Descent
2014
Day Two
Pretty thick fog was coating the air as we arrived at Cobbler's
Pool for day two. On day two you have to be more prepared
and ready to go as the first kayak leaves at 7.00am just as
light starts to peer in the valley. I was off at 7.07am seven
minutes after the leaders due to 6 paddlers starting on one
grid every 30 seconds. I couldn't believe they would send
six off at a time, the congestion in the T trees was going
to be horrendous. It's usually pretty bad enough with 4 off
on the same grid but 6? I wasn't looking forward to. I couldn't
see the sense in it, but nothing surprises me anymore, there
doesn't seem to be as much concern for safety as there once
was. Someone did mention that they were trying to get the
paddlers out of the rapids before the first powerboats came
through. Unfortunately there will always be slower paddlers
in the valley so they either need to hold back the power boats,
ensure that paddlers are fitter so they can get out of the
valley or have an earlier cut off times for paddlers at Walyunga.
Getting this right will always be difficult to achieve. I
was Barkers Bridge, 25kms from Bells Rapid when the first
power boat passed me. That meant I cleared Bells Rapid about
2 ½ hours or more before they arrived there.
I had arrived at the start in good time so I was ready to
go and was soon in the line waiting for my grid which was
grid 16. The volunteer marshals were working overtime trying
to check the paddlers off and get them on the water and by
the time my grid was called there was little time between
getting on the water and the start. The 6 on the grid system
every 30 seconds got paddlers away faster but it was hard
to reach the start line on time. And being a kayaker you need
a bit more time and bank space to balance your kayak and put
the spray deck on.
I was however okay but my rival Sue Quick who was also paddling
a WW kayak and was 40 seconds ahead of me on day 1, was a
few seconds late getting to the line. For me that was to my
advantage, for her it could cost her the race.
Our grid took off. Unlike last year when we had four paddlers
and the other three let me go first so I could show them the
way. This year the paddlers weren't so obliging but I think
I was the third paddler to enter the first set of T trees.
Not far into the trees I noticed Sue had gone right and I
took the left route. Within 75 metres or so I was in front
of her which was great, I just had to keep there for the next
70 odd kilometres and I would beat her. This year Sue has
been training hard and although she had passed me in the Northam
to Toodyay race I managed to pass her on the portage and beat
her, but the last two 10km Ascot races she has beaten me so
I couldn't be complacent. She beat me yesterday by 40 seconds,
she started 30 seconds in front of me this morning so at this
point we were level but I couldn't let her pass and I had
to beat her by 11 seconds to win. The pressure was on.
I take off at 7.07am
on grid 16. Photo Alaine
I came to a log that I
knew I had to jump but there were two paddlers already stuck
on it. We were less than 100 metres from the start and I had
to hold back. It is usually a simple thing to jump a log but
it seems the other two boats hadn't gathered enough speed
and were just sitting on it. When it was clear I powered on
and cleared the log. Not too much further Helke and Tess in
a double kayak were stationary on the right side of the channel.
Tess had a bush branch across her chest and was unable to
move forward or backwards. Luckily there was enough room to
the left of them to get through. Apparently they got abused
by one paddler for being stuck. They eventually had to get
out of the kayak and drag it through the T trees.
Once clear of the first set of T trees we had an open section
before we hit the second and thicker lot of trees. The nightmare
of letting 6 paddlers go every 30 seconds continued. Paddlers
were so close to each other they were clipping each other's
stern catapulting them across the channel. The route was soon
blocked as a mass of paddlers were desperately trying to move
forward making the blockage even worse. It was one big traffic
jam. Of course some paddlers were capsized or swimming and
inevitably their boats were strewn across the channel so no
one could move and the paddlers from behind just kept coming.
It used to be like this back 10 to 15 years ago but more recently
because the T tree channels have opened up and 4 paddlers
went off on a grid it has been much better. Back in the 70s/80s
I could run around this section and get back in the kayak
before other kayaks came through the trees. I should have
done it this year, but I didn't, so like many others I was
stuck in the trees fighting for survival.
As you can imagine being capsized in a kayak is much worse
than being capsized on a ski. You just can't just jump back
into a kayak especially when the cockpit opening is so small
as mine. Emptying out and getting back in would be a mammoth
job, especially in such an environment like the trees where
you can't find places to sit your boat. So you could imagine
why I was praying that I wouldn't get knocked over, I would
lose a hell of a lot of time.
Eventually I came out of the hellish trees to the open water
before Posselts Ford. The mist was so heavy it was very hard
to see where we were going. It was a bit like follow the leader.
Posselts Ford rapid went well and I was even more impressed
when there was no one stuck in front of me, apart from a paddler
near the bank at Super Chute. What a bonus I thought. There
were a few paddlers getting back on their skis downstream
but they posed no problems so I followed a line of paddlers
to the Goollies Rapid. The fog was so thick that even I didn't
recognise the Narrow Neck Rapid and whenever paddlers in front
got more than 50 metres ahead I could only see a blanket of
mist. We had soon passed two small rapids Rice Pud and Stodgy
Porridge. I named these two rapids after camping out nearby
and having rice pudding for super and Stodgy Porridge for
breakfast. I have named all the rapids along the Avon Valley
accept for about 10 which still have their original names.
Usually the more scary the names the harder they are, although
the originals names like Syds, Super Chute, Bells and Moondyne
sound pretty tame but are at times quite scary.
At Razorback 2 most paddlers went to the right, I took the
left route and came out in front of most. At Emus Rapid I
was undecided what to do. I had planned paddling it if there
were only a few paddlers in front of me but I counted 10.
I only needed one of these ten to get broadside in the 'Shredder'
and I could be in trouble. Ski paddlers probably don't know
what it is like being upside down in a kayak but it's not
nice. Usually when you are in a Wild Water race you are racing
alone and only have the elements to contend with. In the Avon
Descent it's usually the other boats that are your worst enemy.
As I paddled down 'Scorpion's Tail' I was still thinking what
I should do. To portage or not. Both ways were a gamble, the
risk a collision paddling down the Shredder or be safe and
portage! With Sue somewhere close behind the chances of me
portaging and coming out at the end before her was slim, if
she paddled it and got a clear run. It is usually much quicker
to paddle than portage. But did I want to risk it!
So as I hit the big eddy after 'Scorpion's Tail' and saw a
long line of paddlers in front I chucked a right turn and
paddled over to the bank and got out. It was time to run.
There were four other paddlers there doing the same and I
think they were all plastic skis. They would have to drag
where with my 12kg kayak I carried but with the boulders,
trees and pools of water I couldn't gallop as fast as I would
have liked. When I reached the portage put-in Chris Butler
was not far behind bumping his PRS over all the rocks. Danny
Moreton, who started a grid behind me was already there, but
he had paddled it and apparently his rudder cable had broken.
He must have fixed it as he finished the race but not before
me!!
Fun on the Scredder Rapid.
Ouch - It looks like its legs up for Wayne Manners. Photo
John O'Sullivan
More fun on the Scredder.
When the channel is blocked with capsizing boats there is
not a lot of room to get around them.
Photo John O'Sullivan
www.wanakikamoocow.smugmug.com
Natalie looking pleased
about getting down the Washing Machine. Photo John O'Sullivan
I struggled to get away
from the bank due to submerged rocks I got back on track knowing
that I had lost time but I was injury and boat damage free.
There was a lot of carnage at 'Emu Falls' so I wasn't feeling
too bad with my decision but afterwards, when you haven't
paddled it you often get a sense of guilt.
From here on there was
no more stopping so I soon slipped down the 'Ford Cruncher'
with about 4 other boats around me and away we went with few
real big rapids to worry us until we reached 'Bonebreaker'
and 'Raging Thunder'. It wasn't long before Dave Blunt in
a short plastic Finn Kayak was beside me. Shit he was doing
so well in his 4.25m kayak. It was only 25cms shorter than
mine but it was plastic. He said he hadn't used it for ten
years but decided to bring it out, do a bit of training and
give it a go. He must have been a strong paddler in his hey
day as he was beating Peter Liddle in a Wavehopper (Peter
did break his paddle at Emus and another at Syds) and keeping
up with many of the long plastics and me. 'Bonebreaker' was
turbulent but turned out being pretty easy. 'Raging Thunder'
a 100 metres away had one paddler hitting a rock and spearing
off to the left and into troubled waters. I knew this rapid
really well but I went a little far too right and scraped
over rocks at the top but slipped down okay. I knew Dave was
behind me as I could hear him scrape over the same rock.
After a couple more medium sized rapids we reached the 'Accelerator
' which is long and can be paddled fast, although it is tricky
and mistakes can be made, fortunately however it posed no
problems. We entered the T trees before 'Moondyne'. Two boats
entered the different channels and I went where I usually
go. For some reason a branch swiped my paddle from my grasp
and I ended up over on my side hanging onto my vertical paddle
that was firmly anchored to the bottom. I didn't really want
to capsize so I was hoping that I could flick my kayak back
upright. For a moment or two I prayed to the gods for help.
Then the gods answered my pray and brought Dave to the rescue.
He had been following my line down the valley since near Emus
so he was tight behind me at the time. As he came through
he offered his bow, I grabbed it and pulled myself upright.
Phew, that was close and we were off again.
The tricky, twisty 'Moondyne Rapid' was just ahead and it
was full concentration especially at the last part as the
current always tries to drive you straight over the ledge.
I have been lucky, I always seem to steer myself down the
main chute, which I did today, but not without the stern of
our kayaks hitting a rock on the drop. Many paddlers lose
control here and get swept over the ledge which is not the
best thing to happen. Others try to avoid it altogether by
taking the 'Chicken Chute' but that would have been too low
and rocky today to do it clean.
The centre passage at 'Easy Street' used to be very tight
and dangerous so groups of paddlers took the right route as
it was shallower, longer but safer, but now the centre route
is more open, although it still can be a problem if someone
goes broadside as the water in the channel is quite swift.
Our line of 3 paddlers had no problem but a little further
a ski was stuck so I took the long way round and Dave who
was behind overtook me.
We shot 'Side Winder', which used to have a T tree smack in
middle but now has gone and is much easier to paddle. The
'Wall' was next but it offered little resistance so we were
soon paddling the pool before Stronghills Farm (Harts Thicket)
and the teams changeover point. For the next 3-4 kms the rapids
were easy but it was 'Deadly Mistake' that was the worst rapid
on this part. It is not as big as Syds, but due to several
boulders ¾ way down partially blocking the way it is
a tricky rapid and many a boat has been destroyed here and
paddlers have been injured.
I approached it so carefully that I allowed my bow to get
sucked into an eddy which spun me around and sat me aloft
a set of rocks. I should have known better but with tiredness
and the fact I didn't want to capsize here I wasn't paddling
as aggressively as I should have been and I let the water
take charge. Now I was balancing on these rocks and on the
verge of capsizing. Then I saw Bryan Lee paddling down who
was in a team of four. His eyes lit up and I'm sure he had
a smile of surprise when he saw me in this predicament. I
couldn't believe it either, but survival was the game and
I managed to wriggle the kayak free, reverse a little, turn
and go down without touching another rock. You can imagine
I was pretty pleased especially when I saw several paddlers
wading in the water at the bottom around the rocks and T trees.
They apparently hadn't been so lucky. I could see a boat wrapped
around a rock. I assumed, because there were a few paddlers
there were more than one boat wrapped. I found out later one
of the boats was Spencer and Steve's double kayak. This rapid
was trouble, that is why I called it 'Deadly Mistake'.
Clearing 'Deadly Mistake' was a relief as I knew I should
have no problems with all the rapids ahead. It's not that
they weren't hard it was the fact that the passages, if you
kept to them were much clearer and defined. And knowing them
also helped.
I caught up with Chris Watson, only because he was on the
bank emptying out. A little later he stormed passed but I
caught up when I saw him emptying his ski again. Chris should
have been up at the front as he is a fast paddler but apparently
he had a big hole in his ski and he wasn't carrying any bitumen
tape so he couldn't repair it.
Meanwhile the faster boats
were well ahead.
Matthew Dean, Josh Kippin
and Lance Kime at Championships Rapid. Photo JC
Winner of the long plastics
on the left Michael Baker. Photo JC
Winners of the double
kayaks Kevin & Wendy White. Photo JC
Dave was sponging out at
the bottom of 'Deadly Mistake' so I passed him again and he
followed me. We now had a 2km pool before we reached the small
rapid called the 'Tea Strainer'. When I first wrote my Avon
Descent guide book this rapid was chock-a-block with t trees
and was quite difficult, but now most of those trees have
gone and it is an easy rapid. In fact many of the T trees
have gone from a lot of the rapids in the valley so now the
T tree rapids are more open and less hazardless. I think it's
the climate or maybe disease or something natural because
many of the trees that have disappeared are not on the track
of paddlers or powerboats.
Another kilometre further we hit the 'Black Hole' which can
be quite easy if you know where to go, if you don't the hole
could catch you out. I used to tell my students that if they
got in the 'Black Hole' they would never see light again until
they came out several kilometres downstream. Of course only
the most gullible believed me and there were one or two but
a few made-up stories made the trip more interesting. Today
the 'Black Hole' was no trouble or was the next rapid the
'Spinning Moon'. Back 20 years ago I saved someone's life
here after they got pinned against a rock. Every time I paddle
it, it brings back those memories, it's something you don't
forget.
With something to think about we took off towards 'Heart Stopper'
which can be tricky with quite big holes and hidden boulders
but the water level made the path much easier than last year
when it was low. Dave was still tight behind when I paddled
'Scared Rabbit', 'Lookout Rapid', 'The Passage' and the 'Fortress'
but then came 'Championships Rapid' which always looks a little
frightening but again I have never had trouble here. Unless
I want an exciting bumpy ride I always paddle down the left
side just missing the two big boulders that can make life
a misery if you hit them. Small eddies and T tree branches
on the left can catch out the best of paddlers if not in full
concentration. That's why most novices will take the centre
route which is not as technical, looks easier but has an exciting
rough rocky exit.
Brad Stewart one step
ahead of his mate John Carrol. (11th) Photo JC
John Carrol one step
behind Brad. (12th) Photo JC
Paul Waters did an amazing
job coming 13th in the long plastics. Photo JC
Derek Amy also did very
well for a senior coming 14th in the long plastics. Photo
JC
It was on to 'Redback Run'
a nice long rapid with swirls, eddies and two drops. I must
have been feeling tired as I didn't paddle the two small drops
as clean as I usually do. Look lively Terry I told myself,
'Syd's Rapid' was just ahead. I had full concentration as
I paddled the top end of 'Syd's'. I didn't feel if I was doing
it with too much style but the main thing was to get down
and not make a fool of myself. Rescue crews were positioned
at the entry to the 'Waterfall' making sure no one paddled
into it. It's nothing like Niagara Falls or King George Falls
in the Kimberley and many have paddled Syd's Waterfall, (some
unintentionally) and had no trouble, but it wouldn't be my
choice on a race day.
Part of Niagara Falls
King George Falls
There were better crowds
watching the main drop of 'Syd's' and waiting for those moments
of excitement, when a paddler messing up and capsizes or blocks
the channel for others to run into. I was trying not to be
one so I was taking care. It wasn't the time to think that
I was in a short wild water race and go down as fast as I
could. It was really about surviving the rapid and get a cheer
from the crowd because I made it down rather than because
I capsized. I cleared 'Syd's' with a few cheers from the spectators
bidding me farewell.
Dave was still in touch and as we approached Dual Carriageway
I could see Chris Clarke going down the left side. I thought
to myself Chris must know a quicker way through but I didn't
follow. Another ski followed though but Dave and I took the
main channel and came out at the end with Chris and the other
ski lost in the trees. His secret way wasn't so good after
all.
There were many paddlers
behind me and they were paddling the rapids I had already
done. Sue Quick wasn't that far behind nor were the Liddle
Team, Baillee and Jane.
A little further back
Bailee Liddle was giving chase. Bailee and her mum Jane (team)
were only 20 minutes behind. Photo JC
Richard Chilcott & Nigel Crocombe.
They only started paddling this year but were were the 4th
plastic double and first 515 across the line. Gutsy effort.
Photo JC
If Bonnie didn't smile
as much she would have a better chance of beating me!! Photo
JC
Anne Smithson taking
on Championships Rapid in her Wild Water kayak. Photo JC
I was now feeling pretty
confident that I was going to finish my 24th Avon. Sue was
nowhere to be seen and there was only 6kms to go before clearing
the rapids. Paddling through Walyunga was easy and at 'Terminator
Two' I paddled the left route as I had two boats in front
taking the right side and I didn't want them to get in my
way. It wasn't long before paddling through the T tree thicket
just before Bells footbridge which was brimming over with
spectators.
Jenny Bateman first women to go through Bells and to win the
race. Photo San Luu
Rob Graham breaks his
paddle but he still comes 22nd in the long plastic class.
Photo San Luu
For more photos at Bells
Rapid go to:
http://www.sanluu.photography/Events/AvonDescent2014
In all the years (since
1978) I have paddled Bells there were only two times that
I have capsized, once when I paddled a C1 in flood, not recommended,
it's a bit more difficult with half a paddle and another time
when I was paddling an old C2 with a top British paddler,(or
so he said). The closed in canoe cracked up after hitting
a rock and we sank. He wanted to go one side I wanted to go
the other side. For some reason it didn't work. This was during
the time that you weren't able to drive to Bells and so, if
you had problems at Bells you had to walk out to the Upper
Swan Bridge.
Neil Long was on the bridge commentating. As soon as he saw
me he said here comes the first wild water kayak and started
talking about my achievements and the fact that I taught him
and his brother Darryl to paddle. (It didn't take long for
them to be better than me though). So after such a big wrap
and now knowing that Sue was somewhere behind I just couldn't
capsize. As I entered the rapid I had my race face on which
is not really that pretty, no laughter, just a face of concentration
and not very attractive. People were shouting my name but
I tried not to let the distractions from the bank disrupt
my concentration. I was determined not to mess up with so
many people looking on.
No problems at Bell's
Drop. Photo Keely Robinson
Steve Cashion who I had
seen several times along the valley took the main drop just
ahead of me. Unfortunately for him he went straight on and
had to do a 360, instead of doing the right turn so I was
again in front of him. I had a smile behind my race face when
that happened. Although I was racing to be the first Wild
Water kayak over the line, anybody who I knew, especially
the ones with similar speed, even if they were on a different
class of boat, were my competitors, especially the Saturday
morning crew. I can do the Avon Descent more socially, or
in a team when I get old, until then I love to race anyone
young or old around my speed level.
Paddling Dogs Breakfast. Only one rapid to go. Yippee. Photo
San Luu
John Fisher 557 (father)
& son 513 who was in a team of two with his brother paddle
Bells drop together. They finished within 30secs of each other.
Photo San Luu
I cleared Bells Rapid and
at Bolland's Elbow I gave out my own loud cheer as I knew
I would get home from there. Apart from a few T trees there
was nothing that could stop me, although 30kms of flatwater
wasn't going to be easy.
By now the paddlers had really thinned out and my paddle down
to Upper Swan Bridge was pretty lonely. I don't usually stop
along the way but I had decided to change to my Epic paddle
at the bridge as it was lighter and had a smoother entry than
my white water paddle. I hadn't eaten since leaving Cobbler's
so Alaine handed me some rice pudding which I gobbled two
spoon fulls, and a jam sandwich and a tiny snickers bar that
I ate along the way. And apart from my breakfast that was
all I ate until the end.
Once clear of the Upper Swan T Trees it was all flat water
which was pleasing as I could concentrate on paddling normal
instead of having to sweep and lean to negotiate bends and
rocks which was really tiring.
There was still a little flow in the river but the most pleasing
thing a little later downstream was when Nick Turley started
to pass me and I had enough speed to wash ride him. Dave who
had got in front of me at Walyunga was now behind me. I think
we both were as happy as Larry having Nick help us along but
when Nick stopped at the Barrett Street footbridge (Maali
Bridge) to meet up with his support team we were a little
sad. Nick did very well in last years Avon but this year I
could beat him.
We were toddling along and after another few kilometres Dave
stopped for refreshments and I was suddenly alone again but
after a while Steve Cashion came by looking pretty strong
so I followed him but then he apologised for stopping at Middle
Swan Bridge. Bugger, I was on my own again and a little later
Nick came back but within a kilometre he stopped again so
I was on my own yet again.
I pushed on quite happy that Sue hadn't yet passed me although
one or two faster team paddlers flew by. Around Bakers Bridge
where the first power boat passed, Roland Bodt who had not
only passed me several times on day one, he must have passed
me a dozen times today. Now he was trying to pass again with
Brendan Groggins beside him. I latched onto Brendan who gave
a good wash in his PRS, but he looked tired, so I didn't know
if he would keep up the pace. Nearing Fishmarket Reserve we
started passing another team paddler who was tired and slow.
Unfortunately he revived as we passed and he started wash
hang me and kept wandering into my space. I was concerned
that he may capsize me. Can you imagine how bad it would be
to survive the valley but get capsized on the flat. Thankfully
he eventually fell back and I could relax and keep chasing
chase Brendan.
By Sandy Beach Roland was tired out, he was on my wash and
he thanked me and Brendan for dragging him along but it wasn't
me he should be thanking, it was Brendan up front. As we passed
Ascot Kayak Club and the party of picnickers I was pretty
happy as Sue hadn't caught up and if I could beat her to the
line by 10 seconds I would win.
At Tonkin Highway Roland suddenly had life in him and he passed
us and started pulling away. He was too fast to chase so we
let him go. The spark had returned in him and he was determined
to get home first. We could now see the finish line and what
a picture. I was just over a kilometre in finishing my 24th
Avon Descent and with Sue nowhere to be seen, although I couldn't
see much behind, I was destined to be the first WW kayak home.
Back in 1979 and 1980 I was 2nd and 3rd in the WW kayak and
back then they were the fastest kayak. Today the K1s, Skis
and long plastics are faster.
Lance Kime & Matthew
Dean nearing the finish line. Lance won and Josh Kippin came
second because he did a better overall time taking into account
day 1 and day 2.. Photo Anita Greed
Samatha Pilton 3rd lady
over the line. Photo Anita Greed
With 300 metres to go I
pulled along side Brendan and raced him in. All the pain had
left my body and it was just like finishing a 10km paddle
yet we had paddled 74 kms that day. We crossed the finish
line together and I thanked him for the ride. It was all over.
Brendan Groggins and
I race over the line. Photo Anita Greed
My trusty support crew
Alaine was there to carry my boat back to the car, I changed,
had a little food and then watched other paddlers come in.
The prize giving was pretty bad as it only recognised the
winners in 5 classes. They had all the time in the world to
extend it to 1st, 2nd and 3rd and a few more classes but they
chose to get it open with quickly as possible. I think the
event needs a bit of an organisational shakeup. There are
so many small things that need addressing to make the event
that little bit more safer and special.
I congratulate Anne Smithson
on her brilliant effort in paddling a Wild Water kayak to
the finish. Photo Peter Beyer
I was first in my class,
I had beaten Sue by 2 minutes and my time was good enough
to be placed 10th in the K1 class. My time was also good enough
to be 27th place in the long plastic class and overall, counting
the single craft, including K1s, composite Skis and long and
short plastics across the line I came 45th so I didn't think
that was too bad for a 63 year old. To top it off I beat a
lot of paddlers I knew and all except one paddler from the
Saturday morning CDU crew, so I was happy.
|
