Enjoy the CDU Newsletter
Published: Fri, 07/29/16
513
23rd July 2016
Message Bank
Well we had Avon Descent Scutineering last Sunday. It seemed
to go pretty well but it also appears that we may see a few
changes next year. Helmets were a bit of contention this year.
In the early days the kayaking helmets that have kept us safe
for years may not pass the new standards and it appears that
insurance companies are becoming a little more strick to what
we wear. I remember several years ago an insurance company
that I was using demanded that our students wear helmets on
our flat water courses. I changed insurance companies as it
was a ridiculous idea. Of course, white water is a totally
different environment.
So many of the home-made helmets and lightweight
plastic helmets which paddlers love because they are light
and very comfortable to wear might not be allowed next year.
Hopefully we will be made aware early so we can prepare for
any changes. Other concerns were hand holds on K1 kayaks and
buoyancy foam. It seems that some of the classes may also
be looked at.
I trust they are going to invite paddlers who
are in the know into the inner circle or I can see they might
decide to ban and change everything.
Avon Descent Briefing
Nobody can complain about this years river levels
and the amount of time we have had to practise because the
Avon River has been running since Easter. Unfortunately I
haven't really taken advantage of the water levels having
done only one valley run this season so far. My next will
be on race day.
*******************************************
Ron Clarke a veteran of 29 Avon Descents at
Syd's Rapid last week. Photo John O'Sullivan
His son Gary is keen to do well and I'm sure
he will be very happy if he beats his dad. If he doesn't he
won't live it down. Photo John O'Sullivan
*******************************************
Two weeks ago I was paddling hard and feeling
pretty good about my paddling but how things can change. The
afternoon of the Northam to Toodyay race I developed a cold
and that was it for a week. To think that I only had a cold
about six weeks earlier so I didn't think it fair that I was
given another one. After a complete week of rest and back
on the water I couldn't believe how drained I felt after a
week with no paddling. My arms ached on my first 3 paddles
and my breathing was laboured so I was really showing my age.
*******************************************
Power Boat Practice Weekend
Paddlers need to take note of this weekends
practise times. The power boats will be on the river from
Northam Weir to Posselts Ford and downstream of Bells Bridge
to Middle Swan Bridge.
Last year some paddlers were paddling through
the Toodyay tea trees when it was the power boats turn.
Saturday
Paddle Craft Practice 30 July 2016 8:00am - 12:00pm
All sections of the river.
Power Craft Practice 30 July 2016 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Northam Weir and Posselts Ford and downstream of Bells Bridge
to Middle Swan Bridge – no further downriver.
Sunday
Power Craft Practice 31 July 2016 8:00am - 1:00pm Northam
Weir and Posselts Ford and downstream of Bells Bridge to
Middle Swan Bridge – no further downriver. (Other years
kayaks could get on the water at mid-day)
Paddle Craft Practice 31 July 2016 1:00pm - 4:00pm
All sections of the river. (I'm not sure why they say 4.00pm)
*******************************************
Our Shop phone number will
soon be cut off so please use
0417 977 330 if you want to contact me
Avon
Descent
Good luck
to those paddlers and support crews entering this year's Avon
Descent
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Stories
WA Marathon
Dinner
& Presentation
Josh Kippin WA &
Australian Champion & John Hilton collecting their medals.
Photo Kerry Smith
Ann Crouch/Smith, Ray
Smith, Ray Smith senior and Terry Bolland. Photo Kerry Smith
The juniors waiting
patientlyfor their medals. Photo Kerry Smith
Matthew and Nicholas
Greed. Matthew is soon off to the Junior Olympics. Photo Kerry
Smith
Peter Martin has been
orgainising racing events for the last 20 years. Photo Kerry
Smith
Race of the Week
Hi Terry,
I always enjoy reading your newsletter,
so I thought you might like to hear about our latest adventure.....
After two scouting trips to look at
chute options and gps impassables, fences, etc we decided
to take on the Margaret River. This is one mean river as it
drops from the town towards the coast and not commonly paddled
- it takes a 'decent flow' to be navigable. So after 90mm
of rain over the weekend and a relatively small catchment
(below the 10 Mile Dam) it was game on. Just to make it a
contest, we decided to make the trip a heritage event - as
we pushed off in our Davenwood 'Special'. No HDPE in sight!
Much to our amazement we actually came
across another solo paddler, who was trying to extricate his
boat from a tee tree and refloat his playboat. This guy was
seriously crazy, paddling off the Kevill Rd East Waterfall
and anything else in his way.
Anyway, I have attached a few pics
of the river in full flight.
I think I may need a spray deck for
the old Davenwood next time!
Cheers
Geoff
Waterfall on the Margaret
River
**********************************
It looks as if these river views are
of scenes around Margaret River but they are only 8.8kms from
the centre of Perth
Ashfield late afternoon
Sunrise at home
****************************
Sandy Robson
still Paddling
and we think we have
a marathon paddle next weekend!
Leaving Salamaua
Race of the Week
White Water
Racing #5 Bells Rapids
14-08-2016
Event Start Time 09:00:00
Location
Avon River: Bells Rapids
*********************
Slalom
Winter Series #5 State Titles
Event Start Date
21-08-2016
Event Start Time 09:00:00
Location
Avon River; Walyunga National Park
*********************
White
Water Racing State Titles Geegelup Cup
Event Start Date
27 & 28th August 2016
Location
Blackwood River, Bridgetown
2nd Hand Boats
Mirage 520
Price: $2 600.00
List Price: $3 300.00
You Save: $700.00
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Length: 5.2 m
Beam: 57.5m
Weight: 20kg Kevlar
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