Enjoy your CDU Newsletter
Published: Thu, 06/30/16
510
1st July 2016
Message Bank
If ever I'm not able to put this newsletter together it looks
like 16 year old Luke Dooley from Kalbarri is confident enough
to write the stories and take it over. Have a read of his
article further down.
**************************************
I don't know about you but I'm pleased the Winter
solstice has just passed. It marks the shortest day and the
longest night of the year. So from now on it will start to
get lighter earlier in the mornings and lighter later at night
which means summer is on it's way and for some, that means
the Avon Descent is less than 5 weeks away.
**************************************
Although we are experiencing dark wintry nights and dark
mornings paddling doesn't stop. There are several groups out
there slogging away trying to beat each other. But just imagine
being in one of these groups of paddlers and you capsize for
some reason or another, a medical problem or maybe because
of the wash of another boat. Whatever the reason, you are
now in the cold water 50 metres from the nearest bank. Your
fellow paddlers haven't noticed you because it's too dark
to see what has happened and they all sprint off down the
river leaving you alone.
It's freezing, you are not wearing a PFD and you soon develop
cramps so swimming is near impossible. Your kayak is nearby
but it has started to blow away from you and you can't reach
it because your legs just won't work. The cold takes your
breath away and you feel yourself sinking. You see lights
in the far distance but you know help is just too far away
and you struggle to keep above water. And as you start to
lose all control of your limbs, realise that you will never
reach the bank and things start to go blur, you just wished
that you had worn a PFD.
By the time the group realise that you are missing (and they
might not, it's dark and who is counting) you are lost beneath
the dark waters.
You will have a few seconds to contemplate your fate and
your last thoughts which maybe, if only I had worn a PFD!!
Most paddlers choose not to wear a PFD. On a winter's night
it helps to keep you warm and if something did happen to you
the chances of surviving such an ordeal is greatly improved.
If you take part in racing in rapids or racing on the ocean
you have to wear one, so why not get used to paddling with
one on.
When you are paddling with a group think about the leader
or the paddlers around you that may be affected if something
like this did happen. Be safe.
**************************************
On the Swan River This Week
Pelican opposite Pickering Park, Bassendean,
Wednesday morning.
Shot with an Olympus, 8 year old Point & Shoot 8.0 megapixel
water proof camera.
An Australian Shelduck opposite Pickering
Park, Bassendean
With a rich-chestnut breast contrasting with
a white ring-neck and sooty-black head and body, the Australian
Shelduck is a handsome waterfowl. Shelducks sometimes congregate
in flocks of more than a thousand birds, especially when moulting,
and usually occur at large or deep wetlands, or in grasslands,
pasture or crops. Females can be distinguished from males
by a white ring around the eye and the base of the bill, and
they can be heard calling to one another, the male honking
loudly, and the female answering with a buzzing call.
A school group passing by. I wonder which
school.
**************************************
On The Avon River
Erica, Ann, Jane and Bonnie in the T Trees
preparing for the Avon Descent. Photo Jane Liddle
Doug Hodson at Devil's Slide, Bells Rapid.
Photo Jane Liddle
Michael and Peter Liddle having fun at Dogs
Breakfast, Bells Rapid. Photo Jane Liddle
**************************************
On The Denmark River
The Denmark Kayak Club on the Denmark River
**************************************
Training & Courses
The Saturday Morning
Fitness Training Session is still taking place.
7.10am for a 7.30am Start
Sandy Beach Reserve,
West Road, Bassendean
Featured Products
If you are wanting
a product call me on 0417977330 or email
terry@canoeingdownunder.com.au
Vaikobi PFD
Lightweight. In Hi Viz
orange and Hi Viz yellow
$150.00
**************************************
The Barracuda
Interface
You don't have to paddle
a heavy kayak. Try a 19kg Barracuda Interface which is as
happy on an ocean, an estuary or on flat water rivers
Three of the Denmark
Kayak Club members in lightweight Barracuda kayaks.
**************************************
I have all the Epic
Craft but the V8Pro is the latest edition.
Epic V8 Pro
The V8Pro is 5.79m in
length and 50.5cm in width, 30cm longer and 4cm narrower than
the V8 and 30cm shorter and 2.5cm wider than the V10 Sport.
Like all other Epics it has the amazing bailer which I love,
water bottle holder, leg leash attachment point and end and
side handles. I love the side handles as they are so easy
to carry.
**************************************
Light Breeze
Cag
A must for whitewater
paddlers, sea kayakers or paddlers paddling in the cold or
wet weather
Canoeists, rafters and
kayakers will appreciate this lightweight version of our Super
Breeze jacket. Adjustable coated Lycra® splash cuffs and
collar, plus bungee waist keep out wind, water and too much
sun.
• TROPOS Light waterproof, breathable
fabric
• Adjustable coated Lycra® splash collar and cuffs
• Zippered, self-draining left sleeve pocket with key
lanyard
• Adjustable bungee drawcord waist
• Factory sealed seams
S, M, L, XL
Colours: Azul (Blue) Pumpkin (Gold/Yellow)
$145.00
**************************************
We still have
a lot of boats on special.
Go to www.canoeingdownunder.com.au
Stories
Sandy Robson
I can't say THANKYOU enough to Terry
Bolland and the Canoeing Down Under Training Group. Terry
helped me out with some new drybags to replace the rat eaten
ones and also made a great donation of monies raised from
the Saturday morning fitness training group over 5-6weeks.
($1100.00) That will help me incredibly in my final months
around PNG. My Werner Paddle, my PFD donated by Canoeing Down
Under are also still going strong at over 10,000kms now. I
can definitely recommend Werner Paddles that Terry sells.
Terry has closed the shop recently but is still selling kayaks,
paddles and high end PFDs and other gear from home: terry@canoeingdownunder.com.au
Five dry bags were sent
to replace the ones worn out or eaten by rats.
The donated Werner Paddle
and PFD are still going strong
Race of the Week
Murchison
Dash 2016
Luke Dooley
After the huge day yesterday competing in the Adventurethon
on a bike, it was a surprise to wake up at 0600 only slightly
sore; a good start! I swallowed a couple off Weetabix, filled
my Camelbak and did a final check to make sure I had everything,
which I did. Off to the briefing we went.
There were 21 entrants this year, a
little down in comparison, but the quality of competition
had improved. Rosalie Evans and Jason form CWA had made the
journey up for the second time and made the timing run literally
like clockwork. William Lee had made the journey up from South
Perth. The Greed boys and Peter Tomczak's family were the
ones from Ascot. Also competing, we had Chris Donnelly in
a double with a girl who'd only been paddling for two weeks.
Rick, the local shire ranger and his son were giving it a
go in their affinities and we also had about three people
from the Adventurethon join us after their race yesterday.
Deb Grove was a local giving it the annual run. Mum was also
paddling with her good mate Rochelle Hose in her PRS and Rochelle
in her endorfinn. Mum claimed she was going to try it without
a hip flask this year, saving the celebratory champagne for
the finish which was an interesting idea.
After the safety briefing, it was time
to hop on the bus and head to Murchison House Station to the
start. After wishing everyone luck and doing some stretches
and warm ups, it was time to make my way to the start. I was
in my Kayak Centre Mustang Slimline which weighs 12kgs. It
looked pretty good with the sign writing on the top. Nicholas
and Matthew were in their 10kg Vipers with underslung rudders.
A few people were in skis such as the Epic V12 with their
big ocean rudders. Luckily it was a huge tide, or they would
never have made it! After a wait for the photo helicopter
which was late, it was time for Callum to fire the shotgun,
signalling the off. Peter, Nicholas, Matthew and I were on
the second grid which could only really fit two at a time,
meaning that Peter and I had to drop back.
They're off
Off we went. I didn't get that good
a start due to having to avoid hitting my paddle on the old
bridge pylons. Anyway, off rocketed the other three, soon
leaving me in their wash. After a few metres, I started to
get worried. The other three were losing me at speed and my
boat felt like it had lead weight in the back. It felt like
I was paddling a long plastic. I pushed harder and harder,
but couldn't build up any speed. Thankfully, after a few hundred
meters, I hit some deeper water, stuck my paddle in and off
I went.
Nicholas, Peter and Matthew
The conditions were almost perfect,
which was bad news for me. It was a very high tide and there
was no wind. This meant that my knowledge of where all the
rocks and sandbars were was useless as they were covered by
so much water, it didn't matter. Also, the lack of wind suited
everyone else better, as we don't have many days without it.
It was going to be a tough fight if I was to have much of
a chance in my 12kg boat, compared to their 10's. The tide
was still coming in, which meant that we had a stronger than
expected tide slowing our times.
As I reached 1km, the chopper
finally arrived. As it hovered over the water, causing chaos,
I was wondering what the birds thought of it. To them, it
would seem like a massive metal bird with rotating wings of
death coming to steal all of their prey. Maybe that was why
they all hugged the tree line as they flew madly away in a
cloud of feather. I had my name printed on the top of my kayak,
partly because there wasn't enough kayak above the waterline
to have it visible and partly so it could be seen clearly
by people on high banks or bridges. I realised it also worked
for helicopters if they were close enough.
I continued on for another few kilometres,
when Nicholas fell off the pack and fell behind. Sadly for
me, he didn't slow down enough for me to catch him. At the
one third mark, I was beginning to catch him, but I wasn't
sure I was catching him fast enough. I opened the taps a little
more, but it didn't seem to be getting me anywhere.
Luke
Just over half way, the river started
to widen and Nicholas must have gotten a sense of where he
was and started to pull away again. Sadly, there was nothing
I could do this time. He was just too fast. I decided I could
only do my best and kept the power down, to make my time the
best it could be. I did find myself getting a little distracted
at one point, looking at all the green vegetation on the bank.
It was very nice to see after the long summer. All of the
rains had made it very green which was great to see. I didn't
have time to admire it yesterday, because I had been too busy
focusing on the bike track. Thankfully, I snapped back to
attention when I heard the chopper come back over and put
the power down again.
We edged closer and closer to town, with Nicholas getting
a little further away at each bend. As we made it to castle
rock, about three and a half kilometres from the finish, I
had a muesli bar and gave it everything for the final leg.
We went over the submerged sand bar just past castle rock,
which is much shorter and saves lots of time, but is quite
a bit harder. Usually in my training, I follow the channel
around the bar, but today was a race and going over it seemed
like the best choice. It seemed to go on forever. It is only
about three or four hundred metres long, but after fourteen
kilometres, the sand bar seemed to go on forever. I told myself
to keep pushing, as the other side of it marked deep, clean
water all the way to the finish.
I finally made it to the other side
and made a final 1km dash for the finish. On the beach, there
were my grandparents watching excitedly, many other locals
and a few athletes from the Adventurethon. Rosalie Evans was
on the microphone, announcing all of the people coming over
the line, which was great. I ended up about two minutes behind
Nicholas and six minutes behind Matthew and Peter. William
Lee won it by a long way. After I'd spoken to every single
person in the town, I watched the other paddlers come in.
Chris, who was our runner yesterday, finished in his Fury.
It was a huge effort to do the Solo Ultra Adventurethon and
the Murchison Dash all in one weekend. Mum and Rochelle came
in ahead of somebody, much to everyone's surprise. They ran
as fast as they could up the beach and were very happy. Deb
Groves, Rick the ranger and his son followed closely and were
delighted with the race.
Rochelle and Luke's mum
Jane at the finish line
A few minutes after the race, I started
to get a massive cramping pain in my stomach. I decided to
eat something, but that didn't help at all. After a chat with
Lawrence, he suggested I got some fluid in me. I filled my
Camelbak again and started to take a few sips of water. As
I drank, I could feel an almost burning feeling in my throat.
I then realised I was dehydrated. The cramp in my stomach
got much worse the more I drank, so I had a quick sit down,
slowly taking sips. I went over to the medical tent in search
of an electrolyte drink. They had none, but gave me a cold
bottle of water. It dawned on me that I had only drunk about
a litre yesterday in the cycle race. That was because it was
raining and cold and I simply didn't notice. After a 35 kilometre
ride and a 16 kilometre paddle and only 2 litres of water,
I quickly realised why I was feeling sick. Mum took me home,
where I had an electrolyte drink, a few glasses of water and
a lie down. After that, I stayed at home most of the day,
except to go to the beach for a bit.
That night, the presentation dinner
was at Finlay's Fish BBQ. The place was very good in the day;
a hotspot in the town. Then, the owner couldn't run it and
it swapped management. It quickly went downhill after that.
I was extremely pleased to find that they had picked themselves
up and was serving food as good as ever. It was great to see.
The salad bar was top notch and the seafood was great. There
was a much better atmosphere. I found Peter and his family
and the Greed's and had a lovely chat, catching up with all
the news in the paddling world and discussing upcoming races.
It was great. The Adventurethon organisers who had paddled
were also there, who encouraged me to give the race a go solo
next year. I thought that would be great, although there is
going to be much training to do in the meantime. Young Eli
Tomczak was ecstatic to get a prize after completing the kid's
mini dash, which is usually short of competition. After a
great weekend of many challenges and smiles, it was time to
say goodbye until next time.
Both races went very smoothly and had
great competition. It was fantastic to see the community come
together like they used to for so fun. After the last few
years, the 2016 Canoe and Cray Carnival and Adventurethon
were a major success thanks to all the hard work and dedication
of the organisers. It was a truly great weekend and I hope
to see even more familiar faces from Ascot and the paddling
community up for next year.
Luke Dooley
On
the River This Week
On the Swan
River This Week
Love is in the Air
Hey Philis what about
a kiss
Please Philis lets have
a kiss
Mmmm Philis
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Philis I love you
***********************
An Australian Shelduck
near Pickering Park, Bassendean
An Australian Shelduck
near home in Ashfield.
The female has a white eye-ring and a chestnut breast.
The nest of the Australian
Shelduck is usually in a large tree hollow, well lined with
down. They have also been known to breed in rabbit burrows
and in large hollows on cliff faces . Flightless downy young
may gather in creches. Only the female Australian Shelduck
incubates the eggs, while the male defends the brood territory.
This species is monogamous and some birds are known to create
permanent pair-bonds.
***********************
Last week I noticed a
few jellyfish around the Sandy Beach area, Bassendean which
I thought unusual for this time of year and with the waters
of the Swan being more fresh than salt. On Monday there were
more jellyfish and they seem to have been increasing this
week. Anyone know about jellyfish?
There are a lot of jellyfish in the river
at the moment
Nikki loves living on
the river. She is so sophisticated she even celebrates with
Champagne and cheese
*****************************
Races
Slalom Winter
Series#2
Sunday 3rd July
Avon River; Walyunga
National Park or Canning River: Hester Park, Langford
******************************
Wild Water Racing #4
Sunday 10th July
Location TBC
*****************************
2016 Be Active
Northam to Toodyay Race
Date Sunday, 17th July
2016
Time
Registration 7.30-8.30am
Briefing 8.30-8.45am
Start 9am
Race start Broome Terrace, Northam
Race finish Duidgee Park near Toodyay Bridge
Registrations close Thursday 14th July at 10am (WST)
Food provided for each paddler and presentations at finish
line
Cost
CWA members $10
Non CWA members $20
Age
Participants must be 16 years and over on the day of the race
to be able to enter the open category.
Enter here:
http://wa.canoe.org.au/2016/06/07/2016-be-active-northam-to-toodyay/?mc_cid=306ffd5dc7&mc_eid=453a6335e8
2nd Hand Boats
Ultra V12 -
Used Demo
Length: 6.4m
Width: 43.5cm
Depth: 33 cm
Capacity: 136kg
Weight 12.5 kg*
Nomex honeycomb core
Woven Kevlar fabric
Vacuum bagged, heat-cured epoxy
Red nose
Excellent condition
New Price $4700.00
Used Price $1990.00