Enjoy the CDU Newsletter
Published: Fri, 08/26/16
515
26th August 2016
Message Bank
I was wondering why I have had 3 colds in the last 3 months.
I thought it could have been something in the new house, old
age, too much rain but now I realise it is Telstra's fault.
My mobile doesn't work inside the house so every time it rings
I have to walk outside onto the balcony to talk. (If the phone
is not sitting near the balcony window it just goes straight
to message bank.) Not only is it annoying to have to walk
outside, you can imagine how cold it has been this winter.
It's even worse when I am not fully dressed and in bare feet
and I'm walking on the cold polished concrete balcony. Just
in case you can't imagine it, its like being on an Antarctic
iceshelf. To make matters worse Jenny promptly closes the
door behind me to keep the warmth in the house so I'm virtually
locked out like a husky dog in the snow. But at least a dog
would have a kennel outside to shelter in, I don't, only a
roof. It's enough to freeze the b---, toes of a brass monkey!
So I'm out there in the wild weather trying to be polite
to a customer who is asking me two million questions about
a product that I don't sell. I can't go inside to check things
on the computer and to get in the warm. But I say to myself
does that really matter, I'm getting some fresh air into my
lungs, I'm having a nice chat and I'm looking over the river
in all it's different moods.
I thought Telstra had the best coverage but I was wrong,
there must be in a dead spot. Jenny's mobile works fine but
she is with Virgin. Complaints to Telstra hasn't helped but
they think it can be solved if I buy a booster that will cost
me $900.00. Somehow I just can't wait until summer as it will
be lovely prancing around on the balcony in the heat.
I was hoping because I was working less hours this winter
I would do a lot more white water paddling, but the colds
have put paid to that.
The only place I can get reception on my mobile
is by going out onto our balcony. It can be pretty chilly
some days. Telstra has no answer as to why Virgin will work
in the house and Telstra doesn't.
Near full moon from our balcony 19th August
2016 (Full moon 18th August)
A full moon occurs each month when the Sun,
Earth and Moon line up, with the Earth in between the two.
During this time, the Earth-facing side of the moon is completely
illuminated by the sun, giving observers on the planet a stunningly
bright lunar sight, weather permitting.
August's full moon is known as the Full Sturgeon Moon (among
other lunar names Full Green Corn Moon' and the 'Blueberry
Moon,'") by some Native American tribes because it marks
the time when its namesake fish can be most readily caught.
August's full moon is also known as the Harvest to the Chinese
and the Dispute Moon in Celtic culture. And in the Southern
Hemisphere, where it is currently winter, August's full moon
has been known as the Snow Moon, Storm Moon, Hunger Moon and
Wolf Moon, according to Earthsky.org.
A so-called supermoon occurs when the full moon of a given
month coincides with the moon's arrival at perigee, the point
in its orbit when it is closest to Earth. During these times,
the moon can appear up to 14 percent larger than it appears
when it is at its farthest point from Earth. Supermoons, or
perigee full moons, will occur on Oct. 16, Nov. 14 and Dec.
14.
***************************************
37 Years as an Australian Canoe/Kayak
Instructor
It was in 1979, 37 years ago that I became an
Australian Canoe/Kayak Instructor. Every 3 years instructors
have to renew their qualifications by proving to Australian
Canoeing that they have been active over the last 3 years.
I have just renewed my qualifications for the 13th time so
by the time of the next renewal I would have been an instructor
for 40 years. Hopefully by my next renewal I will still have
my skill and fitness and hopefully I will still be alive.
This week I have been improving a friend's son's
whitewater skills and giving him his first rolling lesson.
Now living in Switzerland Michael has taken up kayaking there
so whilst back in Australia for a week for a wedding he has
taken the opportunity to try to get better than his friends.
He can now roll and his skills have really improved so he
will be returning to the land of whitewater pretty pleased.
Also this week I have run a flatwater course
for 5 friends who are training for a triathlon event in New
Zealand. They were very quick learners so they will probably
do well in the race.
If you have a group of friends who want to do
a flatwater course just give me a call.
Individual Rolling lessons in a heated pool
$80.00 an hour. Includes pool lane hire.
***************************************
Sandy Is Nearly Home
but she now has Malaria
I am in Lae now after having to abort a short
section of coast due to crazy seas and promised pirates….
Updates coming soon. Here’s a snippet: On arrival in
Wasu I got the feeling that lots of people come and go from
the harbour and that the beach there was a bit unsafe. Grace
helped me find a local lady Clara who said she would host
me overnight. We were also speaking with several locals about
the next section of coast. It came time for some tough decision
making as we were informed of the strong currents and swells
currently in the Vitziag strait. Apparently of the three dinghys
that came from the Lae side today, one was sunk and lost after
capsize, one capsized and was able to recover and continue,
and the third made it through safe. I did not want my friends
Grace and Belden to lose their precious boat on my account.
The currents, wind and swells would no doubt make travel slow
for me, requiring short days and more stays in local villages,
but the locals considered several places completely unsafe
for me as the people had been engaged in hold ups and sea
piracy recently. If I had a local person who knew people to
come along I might be able to get through, but it was still
very risky. I went to my hosts home which was only half built
(it was kind of like camping). Clara and Steven kept me safe
there and several locals who had seen my news on the paper
came by. Clara and Steven used to have a house on the beach,
but it got burnt down last year by drunk rascals and they
were lucky to get out alive. They lost everything and had
to start over. This made me feel very humbled at their generosity
in giving me a bit of roof over my head when they hardly have
one over themselves and their 4 children. Steven cannot yet
afford all of the corrugated iron and nails to complete the
roof.
Later in the afternoon I went back to talk over the trip predicament
with Grace and Belden. Belden said he listens to his instincts
and he had a bad feeling about it, so they had decided to
go home to Madang tomorrow. I was also troubled with how to
proceed safely. I did not wish to get held up and looted or
worse. I couldn’t ask a boat to accompany me either because
they would be risking everything. It was not a good place
either to sit around waiting on good weather. Grace suggested
that I ask the tug boat who were docked there if I might get
a ride around to Lae so I could skip that section. She knew
the captain and he was Fijian. So we went off together and
met Captain Josh with a Bulla welcome. We spoke on the phone
to his kiwi boss and the OK was given for me to travel with
them. I felt a little bit unhappy to have to skip a section
of coast, I was sure I could paddle it had the circumstance
in the onshore villages had more of a safe story, but in this
instance all of the locals felt it was too risky in that regard,
so I heeded the good advice given to me and gratefully accepted
the solution. I had never been on a tug boat, so it would
be an adventure. Sometimes things fall into place just how
they should.
In the night I heard a ruckus at the beach and I later found
out that some boys made an attempt to steal Belden and Grace’s
boat, so my friends made a run for it out of that place and
back to Singorakai in the darkness. I had thought I heard
a speeding boat. It was so sad we never even got to say goodbye
and get a final photo together or give a gift of thanks. I
am also glad they escaped safely and that I was safe there
with my new friends. The tugboat engineer said he had feared
for my safety onshore.
Sandy is a stones throw from her goal but
she now has contracted Malaria
Training & Courses
Monday
Night Training
is back on this week.
Hinds Reserve
Garrett Road Bridge
5.45pm
*******************
Saturday Morning
Fitness Training
starts back on the 3rd
September
7.15am for a 7.30am start
Sandy Beach Reserve,
West Road,
Bassendean
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*********************************
Call me to trial
all Epic ski and kayaks
*********************************
My contact number
is 0417 977 330
The shop number and work mobile number is no longer operating
Check to see if you have the right mobile number
If you forget it, go to my website to find the above number
*********************************
FOR SALE
Hal Paine is putting Capricorn Seakayaking on the market after
18 years operating eco-tours, at Penguin & Seal Island
and various school group programs throughout the southwest.
Includes all kayaking gear, trailer, licenses, Operations
Manual, Staff Training Manual, Marketing Plans etc. Price
on application.
Enquiries to; hal@capricornseakayaking.com.au or phone 0457
685 123
Stories
Avon Descent
Day 2.
Before retiring for the night I was keen
to know what grid I would be on the next morning but I had
to wait until late for it to appear on-line. One year they
trialled 30 second intervals with 4 paddlers going off together
and that was a total disaster as paddlers were hooked up in
the tea trees and no-one made any headway, at least this year
it was one minute intervals with 4 paddlers on a grid which
was much more sensible.
I always hate getting up early, 4.45am for the second day
of the Avon Descent but it didn't feel so bad this year despite
not getting my normal hours of sleep. After all these years
I finally might be getting used to it.
Jenny and I arrived in plenty of time, the weather was quite
warm, much warmer than most years. There was rain the previous
afternoon and in the night but it held off to start the race
so that was even better. Once at the kayak I didn't have much
to do other than wait for my grid to get called out. My four
air bags, buoyancy foam, spare paddle and my repair kit were
still in the kayak from the day before. I would have saved
a few kilograms in weight if I didn't carry it all, but it
was best to be safe than sorry. As soon as you don't carry
things you will need them. Just ask Gary who broke two paddles
on day one and wasn't carrying a spare!
Paddlers were very orderly getting into their boats when the
grids were called out. Volunteers even held our kayaks until
we were ready to get pushed off. It was like queuing up to
an event no-one wanted to go to as there was no pushing and
everyone was patient. I was on the same grid as Brett Young,
David Martin, and Graham McMahon. Other years I had always
been close to David Martin and it seemed no different this
year. We were called to the start, then our names were broadcast
over the loudspeaker and given a boost by stating what we
had done before by the starter Greg Kaeding and then off we
went. The other guys in my grid let me lead as they knew I
had a better chance in finding the way through the tea trees.
Other years, when the water is lower I usually go for the
left channel after paddling the first 50 metres because of
a tree blockage that is usually on the right but this year
there was enough water to clear the logs on the right. With
a good run up I jumped the 3 logs that were just out of the
water slowing me down only momentarily. When the channels
joined we came out just behind Erica and the paddlers on her
grid who had taken the left route. It meant that we had gained
nearly a minute in a few hundred metres.
We then had a channel of swift water with few hazards to negotiate
before moving into the last section of tight tea trees. Once
in the trees again the channel narrowed to one - two metres
and I could see Mark Lawson out of his DR kayak and as Erica
was about to pass him by a tree branch sticking out into the
channel knocked her off her ski and into the water. I managed
to jostle my way between them taking absolute care to wind
myself around, under and through the tree branches to clear
the section that was a real danger of capsizing me. It was
a relief to come out in the open knowing all the serious tight
tea trees were now behind, but when David passed me some time
later he said that Brett didn't have such luck.
The first rapid at 'Posselts Ford' was
easy but 'Super Chute' a much trickier one was ahead. I have
never ever capsized there but it is certainly one of the more
complex rapids which starts by going down a narrow tea tree
channel, and if not paddled perfectly the branches can easily
grab on to you. Then the rapid has a big left hand turn where
an eddy is waiting to spoil your line especially in boats
without rudders. This is followed by a sharp right hand turn
where a stopper and waves create the crux of the rapid. The
worst part is when paddlers go too far to the left and get
the nose of their boat wedged between a rock and the rocky
shore. Many a boat has been wrecked here.
Mark didn't quite make
it and his ski was not paddleable after the next few moments.
Photo Penfold Photography
Trying to keep well away
from the left side. Photo Jane Dooley
Erica who started a minute ahead was now chasing me. Photo
Jane Dooley
I cleared the first tea
tree section and as I came out of the trees a ski was capsized
across the channel. I thought 'oh no' this is not going to
be good. Luckily I was able to get around it but it made me
go very wide on the left hand turn with the current dragging
me over towards a few rocks in the middle of the river before
the main drop. The crowd was too big for me to mess up so
I took control and turned the corner into the rapid and paddled
down the drop as if I knew what I was doing. The crowd cheered
as I paddled away heading towards rapids with no spectators.
Approaching 'Narrow Neck
Rapid' there was a drome flying above the rapid. I had to
make sure I did it without capsizing as it wouldn't be good
to have it recorded on film. 'Narrow Neck' although classed
as a small rapid is quite a big drop and can easily cause
a capsize to the unwary. I always treat this one as a difficult
one.
After a few smaller rapids Dave Martin passed me and I followed
him into 'Razorback 2'. He took the right route and I took
the left route and I beat him to where the two channels join
up. I have been very close to Dave other years and it looked
as if it was going to be another good race between us. There
were no paddlers in front of me when I started my paddle down
'Scorpion's Tail', the top rapid of Emu Falls which went quite
well. At the Shredder I saw Pete Liddle paddling down but
he was too far in ahead to interfere with my own line so in
theory I should have an easy run.
I was lined up and ready
for the first angled wave which has the tendency to push paddlers
off course. Then I saw Pete being pushed around the wrong
side of the big boulder but he made it around fine. I thought
I had more control of my kayak and would easily paddle to
the right side of the boulder but the current had other ideas
and I had to perform the biggest hanging draw to avoid being
splattered against the boulder. Phew that was close. I noticed
John Sullivan taking photos so I shouted, I hope you didn't
get photos of that. He laughed and said, yes I did and they
are good.
Josh Kippin (winner) taking the right line down the 'Washing
Machine' and even he had to use a technical stroke to ensure
he got safely down. Many others capsized using this route.
Photo John O'Sullivan
The Washing Machine was next and at this water level it's
always hard to know which channel to take. After a quick glance
the right route didn't look as if it had enough water going
down to be safe so I focussed on doing the 'S' route which
can be tricky, but that was where most of the water was going.
The current was creating a pillow of water against the big
boulder between the two routes so I knew if I positioned my
kayak at the right place it would help me around. I hit it
okay and that's what happened.
Using a hanging draw to straighten me up. Photo Christopher
Greed
Jason Gardner and Steve
Bolger were faced with a ski in front of them so they didn't
quite get their bow in the right place so they torpedo straight
over the big boulder. Photo Christopher Greed
I paddled away happy to
have cleared Emus and saw Thomas and Gary portaging their
long composite skis on the right. I think Dave might have
portaged as well as I didn't see him for a while, and then
when he passed I never saw him again.
I approached 'Bone Breaker' with no
one around me. It was one of the big rapids but the water
was high enough to make it an easier rapid and allow me to
take a straight path on the right side of the rapid and miss
all the rocks. 'Raging Thunder' was next and although I often
take the right line, today I took the left line to avoid a
capsized double at the bottom on the right.
At this point in time there were usually
a bit of a crowd of paddlers around me but even when I paddled
down 'Accelerator Rapid' the two paddlers that I could see
were well ahead. 'Moondyne Rapid' can be tricky so instead
of paddling down the main drop where there was more chance
of being scuttled over a fairly high rock ledge, I decided
to take the 'Chicken Chute'. I thought it would be a little
rocky, which it was, but as long as I kept my kayak straight
and thread between the boulders I was okay. And I didn't even
get a splash of water on me.
At 'Easy Street' / 'Devil's Den', which is a Tea Tree Rapid
with 3 channels, the centre one now being the best, two paddlers
were 50 or so metres ahead of me. I saw the first paddler
who was a team paddler and who recently passed me hesitate
and take the first channel, which is the 'Devil's Den'. Not
a good choice I thought, but then the other paddler followed.
I was very interested in how they would go as I hadn't paddled
that route for 38 years and back then I'm sure the devil waited
for paddlers to enter the route which was chocked with trees,
and had a fairly fast current. I took the centre channel taking
it careful not to mess up myself. As the two channels joined
the first paddler came out just in front of me. It was great
to see the expression on the paddlers' faces when they saw
I had caught up again. By the time we cleared this section
I was in front but it didn't take them long to pass me again
on the flat.
They sped off and I watched them paddle down 'Side Winder'.
I could see they didn't really know the way as they went too
far left at the top of the drop but they survived. The 'Wall
Rapid' was next followed by a pool that led to the teams changeover
point at Hart's Farm (Strong Hill's). The cheers were flowing
again when I passed. The once feared 'Harts Thicket Rapid'
which was next is so much easier than it used to be. Once
upon-a-time many boats were wrecked here. New paddlers have
no idea how more difficult some of the rapids used to be.
Josh and Brenden Rice
at Stronghills. Photo Zac Asby
At 'Spaghetti Junction'
I caught up with one of the team paddlers. I couldn't believe
how slow he was going and holding me up when there was nothing
in his way. This rapid used to be a lot more congested with
trees, but the trees have disappeared in more recent times.
There were only a few smaller rapids on the next section but
it was here that Brett Young and a couple other paddlers caught
up. Closing up to one of the most under-estimated tricky rapids
on the river 'Deadly Mistake' I had paddlers want to follow
me down. I wasn't that confident myself of doing it perfect
as 'Deadly Mistake' can be extremely difficult especially
in lower water levels. Luckily the water level allowed for
an easier passage and no one had problems.
Brett Young caught up
yet again. Photo Zac Ashby
A long 2.1km pool followed
and it was here that I had my pre-packed rice pudding. I took
a bite then paddled, took another bite and paddled again and
so on until it was all gone. I was hoping it would keep my
energy levels up further down river. The pool comes to an
end at a small tea tree rapid called 'Tea Strainer' which
lost its bite when the trees started disappearing some years
ago. Another 900 metre pool and then I approached 'The Black
Hole' which is very straight forward but has a decent stopper
at the bottom and it can be a wild ride if you don't know
how to miss it. It was here I caught up with Doug Hodson who
was in a team.
My aim was to pass Doug which I did and as we approached 'Heart
Stopper' Doug said, I will follow you. We managed to get down
safely but Brett hadn't been so fortunate as he was swimming
a hundred metres downstream. I asked him if he needed help
but he said he was okay which I was happy about as Peter Liddle
was not that far ahead of me and I wanted to catch him. Brett
though was going to have a hard time swimming his kayak to
a suitable place along the bank. If he had been paddling a
ski he would have just jumped back on.
The 'Lookout Rapid' was ahead and there was no one around
except for a lone figure at the bottom of the rapid who had
a camera in hand. As I got closer I noticed the figure being
John Di Nucci. The last section of the rapid above where John
was standing is the hardest. This is where the rapid drops
steeply creating big waves, a big hole and where you have
to avoid a couple of big boulders that are just hidden by
the water.
I have done this rapid a hundred times before so I was confident,
but as I was about to slide between the big hole and big boulder
I must had hit a turbulent wave as the next thing I knew I
was being upside down. It wasn't a good feeling being upside
down with the water churning and frothing around me. I went
for a roll and soon realised my high buoyancy DR kayak was
leaning on one side and the opposite side to where I had my
paddle so I couldn't reach the surface of water. Oh shit my
roll was not going to work, I thought. It didn't, so now it
was either bail out or try again. If I was to go for another
roll I had to keep my cool but that wasn't such a problem
as I was fully under the cold bubbling, swirling water. A
surf ski paddler would have fallen off, righted their ski
and jumped back on and be away. I was hanging upside down
with the blood running to my head, wondering when it might
get hit by a rock and trying to pluck up enough courage to
attempt another roll. The fast current had now swept me several
metres passing rocks, waves and underwater turbulence.
I had another attempt at rolling back up and by a stroke of
luck I had been swept closer to the shallows and although
my roll was messy my paddle caught the rocks and it gave me
enough leverage to get me back up, just. You can't believe
how happy I was. To see the sky again and not to have to get
out of the kayak was the best. John was watching on and Peter
Liddle was near the shore putting his spraydeck on. He must
have capsized, so I was even happier as now I was in front
of him.
The soaking was a reminder that in an instant your life can
seemingly flash in front of you, but on the positive side
the cold water revitalised me and I felt alive again. Hopefully
I will be a lot more attentive running the following sets
of rapids.
'Championship Rapid' didn't pose a problem but I did take
care not to mess up as I steered the kayak down the left side
trying to avoid the rocks and drops on the right. A Terry
cheer from someone on the bank and I was away heading for
'Redback Run' and 'Syds Rapid' where all the action would
be.
It's always beneficial to do 'Syds' the right way up as there
are usually a lot of people and photographers watching on.
My strategy for Syds was to tread carefully, no heroics' just
concentrate on getting down upright as it would be a bumpy
bone crunching swim if out of the boat and I would hate to
be battered and bruised at my age. Syds is another rapid that
I have never capsized at but I know I'm not infallible, so
I took care.
Double kayak winners
Matt Coutts and Ben Dallin having a little trouble at Syds
Rapid. Photo Jayden O'Brien
Leaving the cheers and
the difficulty of 'Syds Rapid' I was feeling pretty confident
that I was going to reach the flatwater without mishap and
I knew if I could do that I was sure that I could finish another
Avon Descent.
I glanced behind and saw Peter Liddle paddling down Syds so
I knew it was time to get a move on but 2 kilometres later
before 'Walyunga Rapids' Peter passed me. I was pretty surprised
and happy when he paddled down the 'Walyunga Chute' and headed
over the big eddy to the right hand bank to his support crew.
What a gift, I thought. I'm back in front again but I needed
to stay there. Peter was a faster paddler so I expected to
see him again unless he had trouble at 'Bells'.
Down the right way up
always feels good. Photo Jayden O'Brien
Not so lucky. Chris Donnelly
and Graeme Marsden watch their double at Syds break in half.
Photo Jayden O'Brien
Female winner Sam Pilton
on her way towards the flat water. Photo Christopher Greed
Baillie Liddle was just
in front of me at Bells Rapid. Photo Christopher Greed
I approached 'Bells Rapid'
with Dave Boldy on the microphone singing my praises. After
paddling down the drop and not doing it as well as I usually
do I really didn't deserve so much praise but I was told later
compared with most other paddlers I did it pretty well. Next
was 'Devil's Slide' which is the most tricky drop on 'Bells
Rapid' and many paddlers mess up here, but I was very happy
how I did it. I named the rapid 'Devil's Slide' because it
was such a difficult rapid to negotiate properly. You virtually
do slide down between rock ledges but it's not as straight
forward as that, an eddy and varying water speed before the
drop ruin the perfect line and if your line isn't perfect
your chances of being driven sideways and across the rocks
is very real and the likelihood of having a 'devil of a time'
after that, is common. I could still hear Dave talking about
me.
A quick dash down 'Side Swipe', 'Dogs Breakfast' and 'Bolland's
Elbow' and I was safe from all the rapids and nothing now
could stop me from finishing as I was free with just a 33km
flatwater slog a few tea tree in the way.
Top of Bell's Drop. Photo
Christopher Greed
I was being chased by Peter Liddle so I had a Liddle in front
of me and one behind. Photo Christopher Greed
Peter was no-where to be
seen after following me down 'Bells' but apparently he stopped
to empty his kayak. Soon after though Brett caught up again
and passed me. He was just too fast for me to keep up with
him on the flat but I still had to try and keep him in my
sights. At Upper Swan Bridge Jenny was waiting to pass me
my lightweight Epic paddle and give me a banana. Within a
few seconds I was off again taking on the last lot of obstacles,
the Upper Swan tea trees. They are less congested than the
Toodyay tea trees but when you are tired anything could happen
so I tried not to let my guard down.
Approaching Amiens Crescent the gods were with me as I saw
Brett had stopped to gather some food. I passed him again
and that gave me more reason to push on hard and try to prevent
him passing again. Once clear of the last tea trees it was
open water all the way. The current was still pushing me on
for the first 10 kms at least but then the pace slowed. Paddlers
were spread with very few team paddlers passing, but the ones
that did hurried by. I was feeling pretty good up to Middle
Swan Bridge but then I started to tire and the wind started
to pick up. It was no fun paddling alone but I couldn't give
up. Around Marshal Park the first power boats came by, it's
also around here where Brett caught me again. Another power
boat flew by just before the corner of Lilac Hill Reserve.
A guy ahead in a K1 suddenly fell in after the wash from the
power boat hit him. He had quite a swim to the shore which
he wouldn't have been expecting on this section.
The wind was just terrible and I felt as if I was getting
nowhere. Then Jane Liddle, who was in a team came flying by.
I sat on her wash for a short time but there was no way I
could hang on for very long which surprised me because I was
as fast as her when I was fresh. When team paddlers pass you
realise that doing the entire race really takes it out of
you.
Team paddlers should be
classified differently than solo paddlers in the yearly results.
It's a bit unfair to be classed under the same banner. A person
in a team of four can get the same recognition as a solo paddler
in the yearly results and a team paddler may only do 15-20kms
a day.
So when Jane left me languishing and feeling sorry for myself
in the strong winds it was hard to keep my spirit up. Then
I saw Brett jump onto Jane's wash and that nearly broke my
heart as I knew I would now never catch him. Luckily he didn't
last long. The wind increased as I paddled under West Swan
Bridge and if I went much slower I would have gone backwards.
An Avon Descent festival was happening at Fishmarket Reserve,
Guildford so I tried to lift my head up and look less tired
as I passed. Just after Point Reserve Peter Liddle caught
me up and sat on my wash so it encouraged me to push harder.
I expected him to pass within minutes but he didn't. He was
still behind when we reached the section between Sandy Beach
and Ascot where the wind was so strong we were both hardly
moving.
Another Avon Descent festival was happening at Garvey Park
and cheers from the bank encouraged Peter to pass me. I was
hoping he would stay on my wash because the longer he was
wash-hanging me the stronger my chance of beating him so when
he decided to cut loose my worst nightmare started to happen.
I knew I just had to stay on his wash for me to beat him.
Day one Pete beat me by 1 minute and 3 seconds but I left
2 minutes behind him today so I couldn't let him be more than
50 seconds ahead of me at the finish line. My arms were now
killing me and every time Pete surged to get rid of me I was
really at my limit, but every time I felt like giving up and
letting him go I felt the urge to paddle faster as I really
did want to beat him. It wasn't until we reached the red spit
post a few hundred metres before the finish that I knew I
would beat him even if he managed to take off. When I reached
the pergola I relaxed and Pete crossed the line about 3 boat
lengths ahead which I was very happy with because it meant
I beat him overall by 49 seconds.
The race was over for another
year and I was quite thankful that at an age of 65 I still
had fire in my belly and the energy and skill to mix it with
lots of other paddlers much faster than me on the flat. I
didn't beat Luke but I didn't expect to either, he is just
too fast.
This year Dave Martin beat me by 19
minutes so it seems he is getting faster or I am getting slower.
Brett beat me by 1 minute 34 seconds, Baillie Liddle beat
me by 6 minutes 15 seconds so she had improved from last year
as I beat her by 11 minutes. Luke beat me by 15 minutes so
he will be happy and he had to keep stopping to empty out.
Sam Pilton the first female beat me by 29 minutes. She was
10 minutes ahead on day 1.
Luke and I at the end.
Photo Jane Dooley
Accepting 2nd DR place.
Photo Jane Dooley
Race of the Week
Avon Descent
Day 2
Luke Dooley.
Next morning I woke up
a little apprehensive. Day 1 was supposed to be much easier
than day 2, and I had only just survived day 1. Thankfully,
those feelings went away when the rain stopped, the sun finally
rose and we arrived at Cobblers Pool. There wasn't much time
for me to get on the water. By the time we got there, several
of the paddlers in the first grids were ready to go and just
about to start their warm ups. I quickly got changed ready
for day 2. Even though I was rushing, it still took over 10
minutes to change and get everything ready. Mum said I was
on grid 12, so I raced into the water and lined up. Next I
saw mum waving her arms about on the shore, but I couldn't
hear her and I didn't really want to look as my grid was about
to go off. Then the ascot marshal with the megaphone told
me I was in grid 15, but I thought she said 16. I dropped
back and lined up again with grid 16. Then grid 15 was called
to the line and my name was announced, so I thought I might
as well go off on that one. With a rushed start, I was at
least concentrating on the river and was awake. I headed smoothly
through the trees, only having to dodge a few people.
Super Chute was a little tricky. In
front of me was a K1 and a yellow Molokai and a double was
behind me. The K1 went down the chute but took it too wide,
hit the far rock and flipped. The boat went sideways and was
caught in the lap of the Molokai. By this stage I was already
too far down the rapid to turn back but there was still a
sideways K1 down the middle. I took it very tight and had
to duck really low, as if I were in the t trees in high water.
Thankfully, I made it down the rapid without hitting anything
and probably looked quite professional to the spectators,
so I was very pleased.
Luke at Super Chute.
Photo Jane Dooley
Luke ducking to miss
a kayak. Photo Penfold Photography
Emu Falls was the next
big rapid I could remember, so I had a close eye on the GPS
to make sure I knew when it was coming. I took it really well
and got down without swimming or damaging the boat. That was
a great bonus as I had the drone filming my way down. He must
have seen the red stripe on my helmet and hoped to get some
good footage of me coming out.
I had no big dramas with any of the
rapids heading down. In one of the pools just after Moondyne,
I realized I hadn't had a bar before I left as I really didn't
feel like docking one of them down my throat. I remember telling
myself that I would wish I had eaten one by the time I got
going, but I just couldn't bring myself to force one down.
I looked in my PFD for my dates and my mandarin. Much to my
horror, all I found was a mandarin skin and two bars I had
left in from day 1. I had forgotten to bring my food!!! I
paddled on knowing I had a stop at Bells, but that seemed
too far away to wait. Just before Championships, I took out
my bar, opened it, stuck it between my fingers on my paddle
and continued on, taking bites out of it as I went. I was
pleasantly surprised to find that it didn't taste as bad as
I thought it was going to. It quickly hit my stomach and did
its magic.
Luke at Harts Thicket.
Photo Zac Ashby
Championships went really well with
no dramas. I continued on to Syds. Coming up to Syds, the
marshal was waving his yellow flag and telling me to keep
a lookout on my right. I could see that someone had fallen
out of a green and yellow Fury. The boat was down the rapid
and around the corner, but the paddler was still at the bottom
of the rapid. Coming up to the rapid, I hit many rocks which
gave the marshal something to laugh about. I think he was
expecting me to come out in the rapid. Unfortunately, I disappointed
him and went down the rapid with no troubles at all. I remembered
to keep to the right as went I did my valley run, I went straight
down I the middle and felt like I went over every single rock
that was there.
Luke at Syds Rapid. Photo
Jayden O'Brien
I continued onto Walyunga feeling much
more powerful having had some food in me. I finally made it
to the slalom poles and knew Walyunga was close. I came down
the rapid once again with no troubles at all. Just after,
I me down a shallow patch of rocks and felt a different bump
in the bottom of the boat. I ignored it and continued on.
After another two kilometers, I could feel the boat getting
slower but I didn't know why. As I got closer and closer to
Bells, I could feel the boat getting heavier and harder to
control. I then realized I must have had a hole in the boat.
I continued on to Bells. I was looking forward greatly to
Bells.
During a run from Walyunga to Amiens
with Terry, we came up to Bells for my first ever time. Usually
he sits in the boat and tells me which way to go, but this
time we pulled up, got out and went onto the bridge for a
look. This got me a little worried as he had never done this
before, and I thought the rapid was much bigger and more dangerous
than the others. I got onto the bridge and looked down at
the drop I had to go down and wondered how on earth I was
going to survive that. When the time came to go down, I was
very nervous, but afterwards, I thought it was much more fun
than it looked and that's why Bells is my favorite rapid.
Coming down Bells this time, the boat
was full of water and near impossible to maneuver. I got down
the drop under the bridge and was only just able to get the
boat swung round and lined up for the next drop. I went down
very slowly and came out the other side not lined up at all.
This time, the current was too strong for me to maneuver a
boat full of water down. I got push sideways and came out.
The middle of the boat was being pushed underwater and starting
to wrap itself around a rock. I went to lift it out, but it
was almost too heavy. I put more power into my lift, but I
could feel my foot slipping from underneath me. I took a quick
step back and regained my footing. At that moment, I could
start to see my boat folding and got into a panic. With one
big jerk upwards, I finally got the boat free and rode the
back of it into a nearby eddy. I remounted my boat and just
managed to guide it down the bottom of Bells and into the
bank where my support crew was waiting.
I pulled in and saw Granny, Pa, Mum and Ray Smith waiting.
I dragged the kayak out of the water and announced that there
was a hole in it. While mum and Ray took a look, I ate as
much as I could, filled my water bladder and changed clothes.
After a three minute break, they were unable to find the hole
and I was pumped and ready to go. I jumped back into the boat
after sinking waist deep in mud. I also picked up my Bluetooth
speakers, so I was able to have some music as I paddled along.
In not time, I was at Amiens. Just after, I felt the boat
getting heavy again, so I pulled aside on a slope, opened
both of the hatches and bungs and let the river flow out of
it. As I was doing this, Michael Liddle passed me and asked
quickly what I was doing.
The next twenty kilometers weren't too
bad. I had to stop three times to get the water out, but I
seemed to be keeping a decent speed. I had another bar, listened
to my music, watched the planes fly overhead and enjoyed watching
everyone else struggle in the wind. To me the wind was good
as I was used to it and it felt like home coming from Kalbarri.
I was thankful to finally see Barkers Bridge. I had to make
another stop just before to let more water out. As I was doing
this, Bailee Liddle passed and asked if I was okay. After
I'd finished, I jumped back in and caught her up surprisingly
quickly. After passing her and doing another five kilometers,
it was time to empty the water out yet again. This time, Bailee
passed and so did Jane Liddle. I hopped back in just after
Jane had passed. I caught her at the rail bridge and had Bailee
in my sights again. By the time we reached sandy beach, the
boat was full again. I decided there was no point emptying
it again as the finish was only a few k's away and it would
only fill up again soon. So I cruised on home against what
I thought was a lovely little headwind. The bloke behind me
on his V7 had a nice time on my massive wash tidal wave I
was creating from the heavy boat. As a few powerboats zoomed
past, giving me a mere 10 centimeters of room, I became very
nervous every time I heard one in the distance. Thankfully
they gave me no problems other than a fright and sore ears.
I was very disappointed to hear that other paddlers had similar
experiences and that one bloke was even tipped out of his
K1 from the wash of one coming too close.
Finally I had the finish jetty insight.
I was going to make it! I was looking out for the two yellow
inflatable buoys that had marked the finish in previous years,
but they weren't there. I then saw a blow up archway up the
beach and had a sudden panic that I would have to drag my
boat with half the river up to there. Thankfully, I just paddled
past the timing tent and I seemed to be done. I then realize
that my support crew was nowhere to be seen! I thought I may
have passed them on the jetty, but Donna Tomczak told me that
mums car had broken down again and they were getting a taxi
to the finish. It was quite satisfying for me to know that
my arms were more reliable than the big diesel engine, although
mum didn't think of it in quite that same spirit!
Donna then watched me pour half the
river out of my boat and then took me to her car where there
were a couple of homemade muffins and lovely warm clothes
waiting. It was quite a relief as u didn't really want to
put my cag back on to keep warm. A few minutes later, mum
and Granny and Pa arrived and gave their excited congratulations.
I found it hard to believe that I was standing on the beach
of Bayswater, 125 kilometers and two days from leaving Northam
and all I had to get me there was my tired 16 year old body.
It was great. I sort of got a little bit of how Terry must
have felt coming to the end of his massive 4000 kilometer
canoe expeditions across the Canadian wilderness.
It was somewhat a blessing in disguise
that the car didn't work as we were treated to a lovely post
Avon lunch at the Woody in Guildford. I had a delicious steak
sandwich and a fantastic afternoon chatting to all the other
competitors about all the thrills and spills of their races.
I ended up coming 76th out of about 200 finishers overall
in a time of 11:56:14, a pleasing 13 minutes in front of the
mighty Terry Bolland. I also came 21st out of 81 in the single
ski (including carbon) section. I was quite pleased about
the result, despite the unfortunate hole, but that's racing!
I look forward very much next year. If I'm doing well, I might
even look into getting a DR boat and giving it a crack in
that. Sorry Terry, I don't think I'm quite mad enough yet
to go in a C1!
Thank you very much to Terry Bolland
for all your support in training me up and teaching me the
skills necessary to compete in this amazing event. It is amazing
what I have achieved in the few years I've been paddling competitively
thanks to your generous support. Also thanks to Warren Southwell,
all of Team Liddle and the rest of the Saturday Morning Crew
for accompanying me on the Valley Run and T trees and always
being willing to help out whenever I'm down. Thanks to Steve
for fixing my kayak! Sorry to have to give it back to you
again! Thanks also to the Tomczak family for always lending
a hand. Thanks to Matt and Ray Smith for all your encouragement
and tips leading up to the race. Thanks to Granny and Pa for
coming down and making the event that bit more special. And
of course, thanks to mum for pretty much everything. Looking
forward to Avon Descent 2017! (Obviously I've already forgotten
all the reasons I've had not to ever do it again). Full results
can be found on the Avon Descent 2016 website.
Luke Dooley.
Race of the Week
White Water
Racing State Titles Geegelup Cup
Event Start Date
27 & 28th August 2016
Location
Blackwood River, Bridgetown
*********************
Nanga Challenge
17-09-2016
Kayak - Cycle - Run
Location
Murray River, Dwelingup