Enjoy the CDU Newsletter
Published: Fri, 03/20/15
Issue
459
20th March 2015
Message Bank
There is no stopping seakayaker Sandy Robson as she has just
about finished paddling the Thailand coastline and will be
moving across the border into Malaysia. There is also no stopping
Monique Carbone who won nine gold medals
at the National Canoe/Kayak Sprint Championships in Penrith
last weekend. The 15 year old
dominated the U16 individual events winning the K1 200, K1
500 and K1 1000 as well as K2 and K4.
Monique Carbone
Four West Australians will be heading across to Brazil for
the junior and U23 World Slalom Championships in about two
weeks time. Ben Pope has been selected in K1 and C1.Georgia
Rankin (WA) was also selected in the under 23 team in both
K1 and C1. Georgina Collin (WA) was selected in K1 and Demelza
Wall (WA) was selected in C1 in the junior team. I talked
to Ben's parents on Wednesday and they were super excited
because Ben's brother Cody, who also paddles slalom and both
parents are going across to the championships and then to
another slalom event in Europe to watch him. They said they
have been waiting for this moment for 10 years.
The 2015 Olympic Hopes team have now been announced following
results at the 2015 National Sprint Championships. Four WA
paddlers who have been selected. Toby Digney for 16 Years
Men Kayak, Asa Nowell for 17 Years Women Kayak, Monique Carbone
for 16 Years Women Kayak and Shania Smee for 15 Years Women
Kayak.
A team of 28 young athletes have been selected to compete
at the Hopes regatta in Bydgoszcz, Poland in September this
year.
***************************************
Avon Descent is Coming Up
It's time to get all your mates to committ
to the Avon Descent. It needs all of us to promote the event.
A great way, is to get someone you know interested. Bring
them down to CDU Saturday morning training and then they will
be hooked.
As you can see from the picture
below
it's fun - even in low water
Steve and Alan are having fun even in the
low water. They get stuck, but Steve is still laughing. They
push off and Steve's still laughing. They get in the way of
a guy behind and he capsizes and they are still laughing.
This is the Avon Descent
*************************************************
Friday Morning Skills Session
You might think that basic skills and strokes
are easy to learn. They are, but to get them to perfection
and do them like a professional you need to keep practising
We have now finished our Friday morning skills
training, it's getting too dark and too cold.
*************************************************
While we are racing up here,
some paddlers are enjoying the scenery down south
Sue Harrington in her Epic 16X paddling near
Eagle Bay.
*************************************************
On Guard
Alaine's dog Dexter sits waiting for his owner
to return from her holidays
*************************************************
Bevan Dashwood Race
Sponsored by Canoeing Down Under
Kent St Weir, WilsonSunday, 22 March 2015.
Race the scenic route along the Canning River.
There is a course for everyone;
Long Course 12km: Kent St Weir to Shelley Bridge, then to
Hester Park & back to Kent St Weir, portage at Kent St
Weir.
Short Course 6km: Kent St Weir to Shelley Bridge & return.
Slalom and Guppy Course: 3km
Bring your whole family; enjoy the beautiful surrounds at
Kent St Weir and support the Slalom Cafe.
Hamburgers and soft drinks will be available.
Registration 7:30 - 8:15
Race entry: http://wa.canoe.org.au/2015/03/12/bevan-dashwood-race/
Training & Courses
Saturday Morning Fitness
Training
Race Start 7.30am on
the dot!
PFD MUST be worn
*********************************
Friday Mornings Skills Training - for the last
time
Giving it a go
Top: John has a failed roll so he is pushing off the bottom
to get himself up.
Bottom: Brett had a failed roll in deeper water and is being
assisted by Kris so he doesn't have to do a capsize drill
and get out. Brett can roll better with his propeller paddle
but with practise he will be a great roller.
Featured Products
ARRIVING NEXT
THURSDAY
The Epic V7
******************************
COMING SOON
BARRACUDA INTERFACE
– THE NEXT GENERATION.
Using some of the most innovative technology
in the industry, our unique Ultralight construction considerably
reduces the weight of our kayaks making handling on and off
the water easier.
Now that the paddling public has been
spoiled by Barracuda’s light weight high Performance
Sea kayaks it is time to move onto the next generation of
hull forms that our ultralight technology now lends itself
to. What better time to launch the newest Barracuda kayak
than in our 20th anniversary year!
The Interface is the results of the
flow through effect, taking all the design lessons learnt
from the deep vee hulls and the Beachcomber Ultralight and
combining them into a user friendly kayak for the majority
of paddlers whence the name “Interface”
INTERFACE DIMENTIONS | Available in Low,
Med & High Volume
Length Overall: 5195mm
Width Overall: 575mm
Depth Overall: 360mm add 16mm for m/v
& 35mm for h/v
PADDLER WEIGHT RANGES
Low volume: 50- 70kg
Medium volume: 70- 85kg
High volume: 85- 110kg
Weight: 18 - 19kgs
LIGHTWEIGHT
Using some of the most innovative technology in the industry,
we at Barracuda Kayaks have developed a range of boats to
inspire paddlers around the world . Our unique Ultralight
construction considerably reduces the weight of our kayaks
making handling on and off the water easier.
DURABLE
Through vacuum thermo forming, Barracuda kayaks ensure light
yet tough and durable kayaks, without loss of performance.
Coming Soon
****************************
Epic V14 Surfski
If you love to go fast well the Epic
V14 is just what you are for. Much more stable than a K1 but
with the speed of a flying bullet. The V14 is so comfortable
that you just want keep paddling when others have stopped.
The V14 is designed to be the ultimate
speed demon for small to mid sized water conditions. It goes
beyond the V10 and V12 with an even sleeker shape and narrower
waterline.
The bow of the V14 is much narrower
compared to the rest of the Epic ski line. This helps the
V14 knife through wind chop & small waves.
Suited to most intermediate to experienced
paddler on flat water and the more experienced on the ocean.
Price:
$3700.00 Performance model (15.2kg)
$4700.00 for the Ultra model (11.8kg)
SPECIAL on Performance model:
$3700.00 Special $3300.00
*******************************
The Fury
Special
The Spirit Fury has beautiful flowing
lines. The craft has been designed and manufactured with the
utmost precision and expert craftsmanship. The ski has been
specifically designed for the experienced/advanced paddler
cutting a narrow width of 460mm and 5700mm length.
The cockpit has been increased in length to accommodate long
legged paddlers. A double venturi system is included specifically
developed to drain the cockpit fast to clear water and reduce
weight capacity.
A large capacity drink bottle is also
included in the cockpit behind the footrest to enable quick
and simple replenishment of fluid especially for long distance
paddling and racing. Much thought and consideration was given
to the construction and comfort of the seat as this is one
of the most important factors when choosing a racing ski for
competition and fitness paddling.
Models available include Trailing Rudder only for the Avon
Descent in Pro (Metal Pedals) and Elite (Carbon Fibre Pedals
and lightweight high performance hull) and also Dual Rudder
models with both trailing rudder and under hull surf rudder
available in Pro (metal pedals) and Elite (Carbon Fibre Pedals
and lightweight high performance hull)
Length: 5.7m
Width: 0.46cm
SPECIAL $1495.00 lightweight
hull, trailing rudder and metal pedals.
Stories
Some years ago I sponsored
Anthony Carbone with an Epic K1 and since then he has turned
out to be an amazing and dedicated paddler. When Anthony got
into the Olympics Hopefuls he bought his own kayak and the
Epic K1 I sponsored went to his sister Monique when she started
to paddle seriously. It's nice to see that my sponsorship
has helped two very fine young people.
WAs Monique
Carbone wins 9 Gold Medals at the Sprint Championships
Monique Carbone is a name to watch in
the future after winning nine gold medals at the National
canoe sprint Championships in Penrith this weekend.
The 15 year old dominated
the U16 individual events winning the K1 200, K1 500 and K1
1000.
Carbone also teamed up with Erin Blanch
to complete a clean sweep in the U16 K2 events.
While the pair combined with Brittany
Munro and Mackenzie Duffy to dominate the U16 K4 finals.
Leaving Carbone with a perfect record
with nine victories from as many attempts.
“I am a bit surprised but very
happy,” Carbone said. “There
is no secret just hard work.”
Carbone hails from the Bayswater Club
in Western Australia and is looking to emulate the feats of
Alana Nicholls in the coming years.
“I look up to Alana Nicholls and
Jaime Roberts because they are from my club. I see them train
every morning and they are just so dedicated and it is good,”
Carbone said.
“Whenever I get a chance to train
with them in race practice they give me tips about my starts
and little things here and there that are helpful.”
Her K2 partner, Blanch also looks up
to a London Olympian.
“Probably Jacob Clear, he is one
of the coaches at our club and he is just so fast,” Blanch
said.
Clear has given Blanch some useful tips.
“A lot of technique and race starts
and things like that,” she said.
Carbone and Blanch look set to represent
Australia at the Olympic Hopes Regatta in Slovakia later in
the year.
Australian Canoeing
Rod
Fry Race
Rod Fry Race
The Rod Fry Race is always a bit of
a challenge but that's how Rod would have wanted it if he
was still with us. Tragically he was involved in a road accident
and died at an early age and at the prime of his life. I paddled
against Rod in a C1 in the Avon Descent a few times and at
WA Sprint Titles but I was never in his league. I remember
going to the 1981 slalom championships in NSW and asking Rod
to be in our team of three. Rod had only been paddling a short
time and he performed better than I did. He was good.
The entries weren't big which was quite
sad, about 50 and in the last few years getting fewer but
it was good to see some top guns there. Although Swan Canoe
Club is a big slalom, sea kayak and social club it doesn't
have many racing members in the club anymore.
Volunteers from Swan Canoe Club were
out in force. I was paddling my Time Bandit Multisport Kayak
and I was off in the second grid with the plastics and any
other odd craft. As the first grid, with all the skis and
K1s took off Justin Farrelly and another paddler were pointing
in the wrong direction so they had a lot to make up when they
all shot off. A few minutes before the second grid started
Bradley Stewart had a problem with the Fury that I had lent
him and his foot pedal was slipping. With no time to go to
shore he wrapped a little string around it and crossed his
fingers.
There was five minutes between grids
so it was our time to line up. The start line once again seemed
to be at a severe angle giving an advantage to the paddlers
on the left. We took off and Raf Avigad and Warren Southwell
fled ahead on my right with Chris Hollier close behind them.
I powered on to get up to them and I managed to do so. I got
beside Chris so I was happy. Over to my left Bradley was leading,
Warren was accelerating and Raf lost a bit of speed allowing
Chris and I to catch up. Chris soon tired and I sped ahead
on sat on Raf's wash. At the first bend a checkpoint person
asked for our numbers and I forgot to take note what it was
and being stuck on the front side of the kayak I couldn't
see it. Another reason why the marathon committee insist we
write it on our hands.
After the turn I caught up with Raf
and with the hope to get us moving faster to catch up with
Warren I put on the pressure and for a while we seemed to
be getting closer. Good things have to come to an end and
they did, I tired so I had to fall back on Raf's wash. By
the second turn at Point Roe RAF was a little in front but
I was still within a couple of metres of him. Here we had
to cross the boat channel and luckily for us a big ferry came
through in front of us. The ferry blew it's horn at the paddlers
in front of it but they safely got across. Now the wind was
against us and the wash from boats was a bit annoying and
it certainly made it harder to keep up.
We started passing a few slower paddlers
from the first grid, the wash and waves increased and I eventually
lost Raf. My good fortune was now in tatters. Losing a faster
paddler usually takes the spirit out of you and it increases
the spirit of the paddlers behind, who are trying to catch
up. Simon Walker who was in my class was behind. I had to
keep my spirit up but when you are hurting it's pretty hard
to do. I could see Raf slowly getting away and although I
was passing Emma in her pink Finn Multisport it wasn't easy
getting passed her. As we turned around the left hand corner
at the Swan Yacht club the tidal current and the wind were
more noticeable and made paddling quite uncomfortable.
The water was quite shaky and I could
see Russ French I think it was on his PRS passing me over
to my left. Luckily no big boats came through although there
were some high wash waves from smaller boats and the wind
was howling. By now my left foot was going to sleep and I
became fidgety. I was losing circulation, probably due to
my pretty tight seat and my bum that must be getting fatter.
I was now shaking my feet to bring back the circulation at
the same time losing a little power in my stroke. Watching
Raf getting further away from me meant that I was slowing
and giving others behind me the chance of catching up which
I really didn't want to happen. Then I glanced behind about
500 metres from the bridge turn and saw the glint of a blue
boat which I knew was Simon's kayak. Oh shit!
I turned as close as I could to the
pylon to lose no ground and sped off hoping to get away from
Simon who was also in a Time Bandit Multisport. With the wind
behind us paddling was much better but Simon seemed to take
advantage of the good conditions by passing me. I wasn't impressed
and a little concerned as he looked as if he had more life
in him than I did and I just didn't know if I would be able
to keep up with him.
For the next kilometre the water was
smooth so I was able to hang onto Simon, then the river widened
and the wind whipped across and wash waves scuttled us around.
I tried my best not to lose him and I managed to round the
yacht club corner still close by his tail, so I was becoming
happier. As we headed for Point Roe we had to cross the river
again just as a big boat was coming by. It passed in front
of us but created a few large waves which capsized a ski paddler
who we had just passed.
Heading towards Chidley Point it started
off calm but then the boat washes came through and created
a bit of havoc. I was stoked to still be up with Simon but
after an avalanche of waves cut me off from his wash I thought
my race was over as I was a good 5 or 10 metres behind him.
As I neared Chidley Point I fought hard and caught him again
so I lived a little longer.
We were now on our last leg back to
the club house. I expected Simon to try to shake me and he
did seem to increase his pace but I was still able to keep
up which surprised me. We skirted anchored boats and buoys
and every so often Simon would look over his shoulder. I didn't
know if that was to see if I was still with him or if he was
going to take off and leave me. With 500 metres or so to go
I decided that it was only fair to race him to the finish
from here, rather than wait until the last minute. I was far
from confident that I could get beside him, keep up with him
and then beat him but I had to try.
When I managed to get beside him I had
used a lot of energy so I was hoping he wasn't going to increase
the pace which he did. I gasped for breath, I wheezed loudly,
but I kept up, then 200 metres from the finish line it was
truly on. We fought like gladiators, but it was getting too
hard and too brutal and I had thoughts of giving up and let
him win. Was the pain and suffering worth it I thought, but
I just couldn't lie down and die, I had to give it everything
and to my amazement it paid off. I crossed the line before
him. We talked later and he said he hadn't trained for some
time so it wasn't so much for my win after all!
Thanks to the organisers and sponsors.
Race of the Week
Sandy Paddling
Down the Thailand Coast
Thanks Tim Morch. This
is a lovely shot of my arrival at Ko Phayam on Feb 28th and
thanks to Ian Taylor (pictured) for all of your friendship
and help. It is great to meet some other Folding Kayak peeps
in Thailand.
Diary Notes
March-12-15 Ko Talibong, (+07.277250
, +099.382983)
-12-03-2015:- Ko Talibong
Today I started paddling late (once the tide came in to cover
the reef) and it was a nice send off on the beach from Ko
Ngai. Some tourists who showed interest in my trip were clapping
and cheering for me as I left and the people from the 'Light
my Fire' campsite where I stayed gave a warm goodbye. I paddled
to the nice beach on Ko Muk for lunch and found out just as
I launched from there that I have been selected for a sponsorship
grant from Australian Geographic. My mum and dad were so happy
to receive that phone call! And it comes just at the right
time when I really need it - happy dance. After lunch I Paddled
to Ko Talibong.
o Ngai, (+07.422450 , +099.206067)
-11-03-2015:- Ko Ngai
It was a long day as I got stuck on a mud flat for 4hrs on
the way out of ko lanta. The waiting was interesting though
as I was watching some monkeys interaction with fishermen.
Trying to steal their catch. Paddle out here was v windy and
slow. Arriving I was not sure where I would stay but found
a place with tents on shore called Light my Fire Society.
Don there sponsored me everything when he found out what I
am doing.
*******************************
A Paddle Down
the 4000km Missouri River
Check out my
story, part 1 and 2 of this journey by going to http://terrybolland.com/
Everything was looking
good for a perfect day then unexpectedly a loud sonic boom
rumbled behind me. I looked back expecting an aircraft display,
but I could see nothing but a heavy, black, fierce looking
cloud drifting over the city. I paddled on glancing behind
and watching the build up of a spectacular sky. Within minutes
the city was lost in a thick haze as the huge set of thunder
clouds towered over it.
The storm looked as if it was headed
to the north-west, so I felt safe, and I didn’t have
to worry. Within minutes though, the large black cloud full
of heavy rain was headed my way. Now I was worried. I took
off like a rocket trying to find a safe way to get to shore
as there were a large number of tree stumps blocking my way.
I looked behind again and I could see the storm bearing down
on me at a very fast pace. The river had turned white as the
wind waves coming down the river developed into thousands
of big feisty white caps. The storm was after me.
With the help of the strong wind I was
moving at an unbelievable speed, but I could see that I needed
to get to shore even quicker to shelter. Normally that would
be easy but with the tree stumps scattered along the shoreline
for about 300 metres out into the lake, it wasn’t easy
at all. They were dangerously positioned in my path, but I
just had no choice to run the gauntlet and paddle between
them before the storm hit me fully. It was a dangerous move
and I only needed to be pushed sideways onto one and it would
be curtains for me.
Suddenly the first part of the storm
caught up and all hell broke loose. The wind gusted stronger
as the rain pelted and the waves began to increase even bigger
in size. It all happened within minutes. I just focussed on
paddling the clearest, straightest path between the stumps
towards a tiny beach on shore that I could see in the distance.
The wind intensified further and I was
forced to stop paddling to prevent my paddle from being whipped
out of my hands. I even laid back in my kayak seat to create
less wind resistance and to help keep the nose of the kayak
from burying into the waves that I was surfing. As the wind
waves pushed me along, I surfed, I used the rudder to steer
and I was moving at a speed that I could never attain by mere
paddling!
It was the fiercest and most frightening
storm that I had encountered for years whilst on the water.
It was impossible to fight, I just had to keep a low profile,
keep the boat straight, let the wind blow me and hope for
the best and pray that I would reach the beach before being
capsized. If I was pushed sideways to the waves or hit a stump,
I couldn’t imagine what would happen, but one thing I
knew, it wouldn’t be pleasant!
I was joyous as I hit that tiny beach,
it surely saved me. I jumped out of the kayak in not so perfect
fashion, grabbed the front toggle and pulled the boat up a
steep two metre bank and raced across some grass and quickly
turned the kayak and faced it directly towards the oncoming
storm, hoping it wouldn’t be whipped away with the wind.
I was safe but what an experience!! I donned my raincoat,
kneeled down next to the boat to avoid being blown away and
just watched the storm as it passed over. I would hate to
think what would have happened if I had been kilometres away
from shore. The wide river was now one mass of breaking waves,
it was an amazing sight
.
Paddling lakes can be very treacherous
***************************
As I approached the town
of Glasgow at 3.45pm I could see people on a giant sandbar
about ½ mile from the town. They waved, so I stopped
and went over to talk. David, Doug, Sherry and Theresa asked
if I wanted a beer and some food. I just couldn’t refuse
such an offer so I was soon out of my kayak. They had a raging
fire going, I mean raging and they had several fireworks ready
to be let off. They also had pork chops, ham, salad, dips
and a pie ready to be eaten. I was excited.
Because I was in Glasgow
I decided to ring Alaine’s dad on the satellite phone
as he was from Scotland and had been following my journey,
so it was the perfect opportunity to call him. I had a brief
talk and handed the phone over to David who talked to him
for quite a time. Doug was drunk when I got there but by now
he was really drunk and kept falling over. He started lighting
fireworks and we didn’t know which direction the rockets
would go. I could see how accidents happen. It was a joy to
meet people and be able to socialise.
When I thought I would
have company most of the evening they packed up and left leaving
me with a lot of pork chops, portions of ham and a burning
camp fire. I had 4 beers before they left which was a record
for me, but I didn’t feel effected and I was camping
on the beautiful sand bar, so I didn’t have to go anywhere.
Although I had stopped early I had paddled 53 miles (86 kms).
Paddling a river with
very few people on it makes it really special when you do
meet someone.
**************************
Paddling a 4000km river
you pass through many scenic changes
I feel so happy sleeping
in a tent in a wilderness.
The Missouri River meets
the Mississippi River. I'm alone and it very cold but it was
a great feeling to have paddled for 60 long days.
Check out my
story, part 1 and 2 of this journey by going to http://terrybolland.com/
Races
22-Mar-15 Sunday Bevan
Dashwood Dash, Canning
Sponsored by Canoeing Down Under
Kent St Weir, WilsonSunday, 22 March
2015.
Race the scenic route along the Canning River.
There is a course for everyone;
Long Course 12km: Kent St Weir to Shelley Bridge, then to
Hester Park & back to Kent St Weir, portage at Kent St
Weir.
Short Course 6km: Kent St Weir to Shelley Bridge & return.
Slalom and Guppy Course: 3km
Bring your whole family; enjoy the beautiful surrounds at
Kent St Weir and support the Slalom Cafe.
Hamburgers and soft drinks will be available.
Registration 7:30 - 8:15
Race entry: http://wa.canoe.org.au/2015/03/12/bevan-dashwood-race/
******************|
03-Apr-15 Friday Marathon
Champs Canberra, Easter Weekend
******************
12-Apr-15 Sunday Canning
Classic
******************
26 April - Pinjarra to Ravenswood - 16.5 km
******************
3rd May John Sims Race
******************
24 May - Double Barkers - 23.2 km
******************
21 June - Middle Swan - 25.6 km