Enjoy the CDU Newsletter
Published: Fri, 10/23/15
Issue
481
23rd October 2015
Message Bank
IOP 2015/16 Downwind Summer
Series
Saturday 31st October 2015
Sponsored by Canoeing Down Under
Part of the challenge is just getting to the
start line
****************************************
AKC Pairs
Enduro
1st November
The Event
Find a partner with similar speed and
endurance and come and test your wash riding skills in this
time trial race with a twist from Middle Swan Bridge around
Ron Courtney Island and finishing at Ascot Kayak club.
Pairs are sent off together at 1 minute
intervals, from slowest to fastest. The idea is to work as
a team, taking turns to wash ride each other for your best
time.
Entries open online on the14th October
and close 6pm Thursday 29th of October. Go to http://ascot.canoe.org.au.
No late entries accepted.
Queries to Jason Gardner at akcevents@gmail.com
or 0433171039
****************************************
Just when we should be thinking of getting
paddlers interested in entering next years Avon Descent we
lose the organisers who did a great job this year and were
destined to do an even better job next year.
Why?
Message from Canoe WA
It is with deep regret that Canoeing WA must inform all Avon
Descenters that we will not be continuing as the Avon Descent
Event Managers. This decision has been made following over
two months of negotiations with the Northam Avon Descent Association
Board.
The CWA team would have loved to continue managing the event,
however due to the current NADA structure and views, this
has unfortunately been deemed impossible.
We would like to let everyone know that we will never walk
away from the Avon Descent and will be involved in a role
of the same capacity as previous Avon Descents. The last thing
CWA would want to see is the Avon Descent discontinue. We
will always support the Avon Descenters.
Finally, the CWA Avon Descent Team would like to send a heartfelt
thank you to all Avon Descenters who competed in the 2015
event, all who volunteered their time and who supported us
during our time as Event Managers.
****************************************
Training & Courses
Saturday Morning Fitness
Training
7.30am start on the dot
Sandy Beach Reserve, West Road, Bassendean
PFD must be worn
$5.00 for paddlers who have bought a boat from CDU
$10.00 for other paddlers
Don't forget your PFD
Fun, fitness and a great group of people.
Trainer Steve Pilton
Last week's race times at the end of newsletter
****************************************
Monday Night Training Group - Change of
Venue
The Monday night training group that meet at Garrett Rd Bridge
in winter is moving to the summer location of Claughton Reserve,
Katanning St, Bayswater on Monday 19th October.
Training commences on the water at 5.45pm
anyone welcome to join in for some group fitness training , no
cost but hard work guaranteed.
Featured Products
Epic V7 and
the Barracuda Interface
The Epic V7 and the Barracuda
Interface
Two of the hottest boats
on the market.
The Epic
V7 already has a big following. Ideal for ocean
and river. It has very good stability, yet it has amazing
speed. It has a rear hatch to store gear, and foot pedals
that easily adjust for paddlers from 5 foot upwards. The venturi
bailer is amazing and on the river it can be closed off to
keep the water out or open when on the ocean when water floods
the seating well. It comes with an underslung rudder but a
trailing rudder can be fitted for when paddling the Avon Descent
or Blackwood marathon where obstacles are in the way. The
V7 is so comfortable you won't want to stop paddling.
Give us a shout if you
want to try it out
************
The Barracuda
Interface is only 19kgs and a great kayak with
storage compartments for general touring. You will love putting
it on and off your car or carrying it to the river. Barracuda
kayaks are used extensively by tour operators who value the
lightness and by multisport paddlers taking part in events
in New Zealand. So why paddle a heavy kayak when you can paddle
a light one. And if you are as old as me you will appreciate
the lightness and it will encourage you to paddle more often.
Not suited for the Avon
Descent or heavy duty rapids.
Brenda - a happy customer
***********************
Grafton Paddle
Sports
GT Aero & Fusion
The
GT Aero and Fusion waiting for a buyer
GT AERO
The GT is relatively
stable, comfortable and easy to handle as a racing or touring
kayak. A perfect boat for paddlers who want to paddle for
fitness.
It's exceptional handling capabilities
and higher deck makes it ideal for rough conditions.
It is light weight kayak making it easy
to manage on and off the car.
Price: Depends on construction.
Length: 4.58 m
Width: 58.5 cm
Kevlar hull - Fibreglass deck
Australian Made
Price $2440.00
********************************
Fusion LR6
The New Fusion LR6 is a fusion of the
proven long recreational Time Traveller hull and Alchemist
K1 style deck.
Best suited to the larger paddler.
What you get is a fast, stable and comfortable
kayak that will handle well in adverse conditions without
being affected too much by side winds.
Length 6 mtr.
Width 54 cm
Cockpit: Large sprint style. (46 cm wide)
Kevlar hull - fibreglass deck
Price: $2825.00
********************************
Spirit CTR
Special
The CrossTrainer (CTR) has been a very
popular sit-on kayak/ski over the years and even today it
one of the most paddled kayak. It is a great sit-on-kayak/ski
for the beginner or experienced paddler. It has a good touring
speed, but it is not as fast as the longer skis. It turns
well and surfs pretty good on manageable waves. It is a good
all round ski for the touring paddler.
Length: 4.00 m
Beam: 0.61 m
Weight: 20 kg approx
Capacity: 100kg
West Australian Made
Price: $1050.00
Special $920.00 save $130.00
********************************
FANTASTIC Offer
Epic V14 Performance
Special $2900.00 save $800.00.
The Epic V14 Performance. The V14 would
be an excellent ski for the intermediate paddler paddling
in flat water races. More stable than a K1 but very fast.
Don't let this opportunity pass you by.
I paddle a V14, so if I can paddle it you should be able to.
It's a great ski.
Epic V14 Performance.
Black Nose 15.5kg. Price $3700.00: Special
$2900.00 save $800.00.
********************************
Epic V10L Club (18kg) new Special (pre 2014 model)
The front deck has been lowered to decrease windage and moved
the seat up 50mm (2") to give a better position for smaller
to mid sized paddlers.
Were $2900.00 Special $1900.00
*******************************
Large Aquaracks Storage
Racks
Aquaracks have been designed for indoor and outdoor applications.
Width 68cms
Price: $120.00 Special Price $95.00
save $25.00
Stories
Classic Paddle
2015
It's one of the most popular races on
the calendar, although it is not as suited to flat water kayakers
paddling tippy K1s because of the unpredictable water conditions,
but it still pulls a good crowd. Part of the attraction is
wondering what the conditions are going to be like. Today
the weather was perfect, the conditions were perfect and I
had the perfect paddle partner someone that would give it
all no matter how much I drove her on.
15 year old Luke giving me a few tips
Back in the old days Canoe WA (or ACAWA
as it was known back then) used to run a race from Fremantle
to Perth. The same route as today but in reverse. I even found
a certificate last weekend for paddling it in a canoe. This
race eventually folded due to the concerns about safety and
risk assessment. Most paddlers who paddled this race were
kayakers paddling kayaks and because it was hard to get safety
boats back then I think the organisers felt it safer not to
run it. As it was organised for kayak clubs only it didn't
attract as many paddlers as the Classic Paddle does, but it
was still a good race.
A crowd gathers
How things have changed over the years
due to more paddlers paddling surf skis in the marathon races.
The Classic Paddle is one of the bigger events on the calendar.
It is open to kayaks, skis, outriggers and dragon boats, although
for some reason it is not as popular as it used to be.
Alaine high-fives Byron Martin and wished
him luck...we thought he might need it, we thought wrong!
We were in a double Epic V10 going off
on the last grid and we were raring to go as usual. On the
start line after the singles had gone we heard a horn and
although we didn't know if it was the start horn or not we
and a few others took off anyway, just in case. And what a
great start we had, we were one of the leaders, but our enthusiasm
came crashing down when we were called back, the horn wasn't
our start horn, we still had two minutes to go.
The single craft are
away. Photo Lawrence Greed
The single craft are
away. Photo Lawrence Greed
We backed up, with other
paddlers saying 'get back Bolland' stop cheating. Pity really
we were doing so well. When the real horn sounded every other
paddler was ready so our start, although okay wasn't as good
as the first. Beside us were the threesome team of Jesse Philips
and two other paddlers who work for Brierty. They weren't
quite in time with Jesse but nevertheless they were still
slightly faster than Alaine and I. We tried to hang onto their
wash but eventually we lost it. We also lost John Breed and
Anne Harris who were over to our right. It would have been
great to be able to keep up with them but Anne is a powerhouse
and John is a pocket rocket so we had little chance. They
started edging away. Then Jason Gardner and Steve came along
side us.
The double craft are
away. Photo Lawrence Greed
Our nose is ahead for
a split second. To our right we have Olympian Jesse Phillips.
Photo Lawrence Greed
We are on the left keeping
up with Jesse Phillips and team for a few hundred metres.
Photo Lawrence Greed
The team of Dave and Byron Martin, one
and a quarter man, were also ahead of us, crickey how were
they managing to go so fast! Byron was real little only about
9-11 years old! I thought about saying something to Alaine
in the back, like 'get your arse into gear', 'come on pull
your finger out', 'you can read the paper when we have finished'
but I kept my cool and said nothing and accepted that they
were better than us!
We had to concentrate on the people
around us and we had a terrific match going on with the Kiwis
Jason and Steve. I was hoping they were having thoughts of
the Kiwis losing the rugby, making them feel glum and paddle
glum, but it appeared they were confident and were all fired
up. We kept up with them for quite awhile but then they must
had scored a try in their head as they got excited and got
ahead so we tucked in behind.
We were keeping up a cracking pace but
I didn't know if Alaine could keep it up, she hasn't trained
over the winter months. The shallows opposite Pelican Point
were coming up and I knew this would be the place we could
lose them if we struggled. Miracles do happen and we kept
up with them, then Jason steered over to the left, either
to find deeper water or he had lost concentration altogether.
I felt they were going too wide so I decided to keep a straighter
track and let them head off into the wide open water. I was
now confident that we would draw ahead of them as they seemed
to be going too far out but five or ten minutes later they
started coming back towards us and soon after we came together
again.
In the meantime John and Ann had pulled
right away and Dave and Byron was over to our left but still
several hundred metres ahead. Byron weighed little more than
a bag of potatoes yet they were going so fast. I just wished
that Alaine only weighed a bag of potatoes so we could go
faster but that was just wishful thinking.
By now we had passed and were still
passing several single craft many of whom we knew like Maya
who was paddling our demo Epic V7. She was looking good and
as we passed her by she said she was very comfortable and
content. I also kept my eye on Jesse Phillips and his novice
crew in the K3 and at times he was paddling solo whilst the
other two were having a rest. It was at these times I just
thought we might catch up but after all three started paddling
again they drew away from us once more.
We hit another shallow patch just beyond
the Perth Flying Squadron Yacht Club. Being back next to Jason
and Steve we had no alternative but to continue to paddle
hard as we didn't want to lose them because they would never
let us live it down if they beat us. The weather and water
conditions were great. It wasn't too warm and we didn't have
to fight any real rough water, so I suppose it was perfect.
Alaine wasn't complaining on the back so everything was going
to plan and being able to keep up with Jason and Steve was
a bonus.
The channel crossing over to Point Walter
was clear of any big power boats so there was no waiting and
no risk of getting moved down. There were no kite flyers near
the sandbar either so we didn't have to play Russian Roulette
dodging them.
Approaching the Point Walter sandbar
we were still neck and neck with Jason and Steve. Then about
100 metres out from the sandbar I heard the crunch of an Epic
rudder after it had hit a rock. It was either really low tide
or the portage buoys were in a different place to other years.
After hearing the crunch we took it careful trying to pass
over that section and for a moment we were going well with
our shorter rudder, but then we heard a little crunch and
immediately jumped off. Meanwhile Jason and Steve who were
in a double kayak with trailing rudder just kept going closer
and closer to the beach and had no problem. We walked the
ski towards the sandbar taking a little longer than Jason
and Steve to get there but by the time we carried across and
were back on our ski they were having more trouble getting
their solid, firm, muscly bodies into the small cockpits so
we left them behind.
Knowing that we were just as fast as
they were we needed to keep up the pace to keep in front of
them but after Alaine told me that she was buggered I started
to worry. I think it was a cue to tell me to slow down but
I became deaf all of a sudden and I kept paddling faster than
before knowing that Alaine would just keep paddling to my
pace tired or not. She really knew that we couldn't let Jason
and Steve catch up. A surf boat which took longer to portage
was beside us but in true style we left them behind. I was
hoping that no big boats were crosssing the channel at Chidley
Point when we were crossing as we really didn't want to stop
and luckily the crossing was clear.
Dave and his son were still ahead. We
seemed to get closer, then minutes later they gained on us
again. They were out in the channel so I suspected they took
notice to what the tide was doing today, we hadn't so we kept
out of the boating lane. I just wondered how are we going
to keep our heads up high if they beat us?
Alaine was still paddling hard and to
think that she had only paddled about 4 times in the last
two months. She was going really well but I didn't like telling
her that there and then or she just might get a little big
headed. We crossed another boating channel before the yacht
club without a big boat getting in our way and for a few moments
we were able to get on the wash of Lachlan Arnot and Kaelan
Lindup who were on a spec double but they were too powerful
for us to keep on their wash or was it that Alaine was slowing
down. As you know, I don't like blaming Alaine for people
passing us so they must have been too fast.
Moving around the Swan Yacht Club on
inside of a surf boat there didn't seem to be any current
to tell my gran about which is very unusual for this race.
We always seemed to be pushing against the current on other
years. Today was different. There weren't any big ferries
heading for Rottnest either so that was a bonus, although
it is always an exciting few minutes when they bear down on
us or leave a huge wash bigger than what you find at the beach.
Having no big boats come through though make it a lot safer
for paddlers crossing over the channel as neither paddler
or boat owner like to give way.
John Carrol was in long before us.
The two fit looking boys Lachlan Arnot
and Kaelan Lindup were still ahead but we just about caught
up with them again just as we saw the finish line a few hundred
metres ahead but their finishing power was too good for us
and beat by 6 seconds.
Considering Alaine had been doing little
exercise over the winter period I thought we did pretty well
and due to the conditions I think it was our best time in
a double.
15 year old Luke from Kalbarri who I
was looking after over the weekend was waiting for us at the
end with a big smile across his face and really happy to be
the 21st single over the line. He was even more happy to have
beaten, Samatha Pilton, Peter Liddle, Mike Liddle, and of
course Alaine and I. Luke paddled extremely well even better
than I thought he would but disappointingly he and a few other
juniors missed out on a prize because there wasn't a class
for the juniors.
Alaine, Luke and Jarrad
So after a good chat with other paddlers,
a hot dog and the presentation it was time for home.
Thanks again to the organisers and volunteers
for making it another good race.
For complete results:
http://www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=54673 [ http://www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=54673 ]
Race of the Week
Nikki supporting
Epic
Now I have to buy a new
hat! More profits for Epic!
*****************************
Sandy in Komodo
Land
Hi Terry
Do you know anyone who has paddled from
Daru PNG to Saibai Australia or vice versa. I have to figure
out how I would do it as immigration officially is on TI -
140km away into a strong wind.
Need to know how they negotiated for immigration or the ok
to come in by kayak or exit by kayak at Saibai.
Thanks Sandy
Oct 8th Tanjung Toromabalang to Pulau
Banta (aka Gili Banta), 23.5km.
Just offshore from my camping site was
Pulau Sentodo. It is actually 2 small islands and one has
an archway that you can paddle through. In the morning light
it was magical. I also found a cave and some great shaped
sea stacks are nearby. I had planned my passage to have the
morning southerly winds and the tidal flow pushing me north
to reach Pulau Banta. This made it an easy journey. Although
relatively close to Komodo, Pulau Banta does not have any
Komodo dragons. Camping on Pulau Banta was like being inside
a volcano crater. High walls rim the horseshoe shaped bay.
One French yacht was anchored there but they must have been
exhausted from a long passage as they never emerged on deck.
There was so much garbage on the beach and reef. I had a snorkel
there to survive the afternoon heat. I think there are some
world class dive sites near this island but here in the bay
is quite impacted by coral bombing and tourist boats garbage.
In the evening the tide came up high and I was not sure if
my tent site was going to be submerged so I had to pick up
my tent and move to higher ground.
Race of the Week
IOP 2015/16
Downwind Summer Series
Saturday 31st October 2015
Sponsored by Canoeing Down Under
***************************
AKC Pairs Enduro
1st November
The Event
Find a partner with similar speed and
endurance and come and test your wash riding skills in this
time trial race with a twist from Middle Swan Bridge around
Ron Courtney Island and finishing at Ascot Kayak club.
Pairs are sent off together at 1 minute
intervals, from slowest to fastest. The idea is to work as
a team, taking turns to wash ride each other for your best
time.
Distance 13km
Rules
All pairs must remain within 20m of
each other at all times. Race time is taken when the second
paddler crosses the finish.
No pair may wash ride another pair or
any power craft.
Entries open online on the14th October
and close 6pm Thursday 29th of October. Go to http://ascot.canoe.org.au.
No late entries accepted.
Registration opens at Middle Swan Bridge
at 07:30 and closes at 0830
Briefing at 0840 with first paddlers
away at 0900.
Awards and Prizes
Prizes are awarded to fastest pair in
each category and trophies for fastest male pair, fastest
female pair and fastest mixed pair.
Spot prizes on the day
Cost: $10.00 per paddler 14 years and
under K2 Pair. $15.00 per Paddler for all AKC and CWA members
$25.00 per paddler for non-AKC, CWA
members
Entry categories: Open Male. Open Female.
40 and over Male. 40 and over Female
Mixed Pair. Long Plastic Pair. K2 Pair
14 years and under k2 pair (on the day
of racing)
Queries to Jason Gardner at akcevents@gmail.com
or 0433171039
***************************
Blackwood Marathon
31st October
***************************
Sprint- Regatta
#2
Saturday, November 7
7:00am
***************************
Canoeing Down Under
Slalom- TV Challenge
Sunday, November 8
9:00am
***************************
The Epic Kayaks
Doctor
28th November 2015
The Epic Kayaks Doctor in Perth, WA is Australia's most exciting
ocean paddling event from Rottnest Island to Sorrento Beach
covering 27kms (or vice versa depending on wind conditions).
This year The Epic Kayaks Doctor will also feature as the
Australian Canoeing Ocean Racing Ski National Championships
for 2015. Please see information below.
The event is scheduled to race on Saturday 28th November 2015
starting at Rottnest Island and finishing at Sorrento Beach.
This will be reversed if strong off-shore conditions prevail.
In the advent of dangerous conditions on Saturday the event
will move to Sunday 29th November.
Craft is loaded the day prior to the event on a barge and
transported over to Rottnest Island on race day. On the morning
of the event competitors catch the ferry over to Rottnest
Island which takes about 40mins. On arrival they unload their
craft and prepare for the race. There are cafes on Rottnest
Island to relax before the long paddle back to Sorrento Beach.
The race start time will depend on weather conditions and
shipping movements. The race is 27km starting from Rottnest
Island and finishing at Sorrento Beach SLSC where competitors
will enjoy the very best ocean paddling conditions.
***************************
2015/16 Marathon Series Race Dates
15th November - Moore River
13th December - Claisebrook Race
28th December - Champion Lakes
14th Febuary - Canning River Race
12/13 March - State Champs
25/26/27 - National Champs QLD
24th April - Pinjarra-Ravenswood
29th May - Double Barkers
5th June - Perth Paddle 50
19th June - Middle Swan Race
***************************
2nd Hand Boats
Used Necky Looksha
14
Near new
Sleek lines combined with a large roomy
cockpit make the Looksha 14 perfect for touring and coastal
exploring. It has excellent tracking and glide, while offering
great edge control with a smooth transition between primary
and secondary stability. The perfect choice for those looking
for a kayak that has the gear capacity of an SUV with the
look and feel of a sports car.
Specs:
MATERIAL: Polyethylene
LENGTH: 4.3 m
WIDTH: 62.3 cm
WEIGHT: 24.5 kg
COCKPIT: 90.2 x 41.9 cm
BOW HATCH: 35.6 x 19.1 cm
STERN HATCH: 41.9 x 26.7 cm
STORAGE CAPACITY: 162.8 L
MAX CAPACITY: 136.1-158.6 kg
Excellent condition - used very little; $1200.00
***********************************
Saturday Morning 4km Race Times