Enjoy your CDU Newsletter
Published: Thu, 07/07/16
511
8th July 2016
Message Bank
Did you know Ascot Kayak Club now have a professional coach
Reka Hegyi. Reka has been coaching for several years and has
herself been trained by some of the best coaches in the world.
She was the European Junior Flat-water (sprint) Champion in
2004, the World Junior Flat-water Champion in 2005 and the
World Junior Marathon Champion in 2005.
Her other qualifications are: Personal Trainer, 2015 International
Sport Science Association, USA Certificate III in Fitness,
2012 Australian College of Sport and Fitness Melbourne, VIC.
Level 2 Gym Instructor, 2011 Fitness Industry Education London,
England.
Talking to some of her students I was told that she is a
top coach and they have already seen an improvement in their
paddling.
Ascot are looking for juniors and seniors who want to be
coached. Juniors especially are invited to join the squad.
If you know a junior who may be interested in joining the
squad, more-likely when it gets a little warmer, contact me
or the Club Coach - Reka Hegyi - email address is coachakc@gmail.com
and mobile is 0406 860 027.
Paddlers now have the opportunity to develop a good technique.
Don't let this opportunity pass you by.
***********************************
Yadie Creek (Photo Smith collection)
The Smith family on holiday around the Exmouth
region.
Yardie Creek is an impressive gorge 85kms
south of Exmouth that has a regular flow of water and where
a huge sea osprey nests on a ledge and where shy black-footed
rock wallabies perch precariously in the crevices.
********************************
It's hard not to be a little upset with Swan
River fisherman when you see what effect discarded hooks and
line have on our wildlife. Last Friday I was enjoying a late
breakfast at the Ascot / Garvey Park Kiosk with other retired
older members of our paddling community when a seagull walked
up to our table hungry for something to eat. With a fishing
line wrapped around its beak, neck and wing it really couldn't
eat anything or even fly.
Our first thought was that we would never catch
this poor bird but after offering a portion of my delicious
breakfast it took the bait and I managed to grab it. With
the help of Giesla and John I took out my Swiss Army Knife
and started cutting the line while Pam took photos and Olwyn
gave us support. The seagull took a few bites out of my hand
but then Giesla held its beak to stop it biting.
Eventually we we able to cut and un-wind the
line and free it from the terrible bondage situation.
Free, it then left us to eat our breakfast.
We could only hope that it was going to survive its ordeal.
We untangle fishing line wrapped around a
seagulls beak, neck and wing
****************************************
The Saturday morning training is still on
and it's always a fight to the finish. Photo John O"Sullivan
*************************************
WWR Race #4
Bells to Amiens
The fourth of 6 races for the 2016 Wild Water Season, Sunday
10th July
Online registration
Location: Bells Rapid, lower carpark. Bolland's Elbow
Registration between 8-9 am
Briefing 9:15pm
Race start 9:30pm
*************************************
Yukon River Quest
The Yukon River Quest race has just been held
in Canada. It is a 715km wilderness race with only two stopovers.
The first one being at Carmacks Checkpoint a 7 hour mandatory
layover and a 3 hour layover at the Coffee Creek Kaminak Camp
Checkpoint.
As it's a wilderness race teams taking part
have to anticipate that they may spend many hours at a time
out of sight of any other boat or living person. The Yukon
River has very few road access points, and very few people
live along its banks. Teams also have to consider that however
good they are at paddling, things can and do go wrong: damaged
shoulders, wrists, hands, exhaustion, hypothermia, or just
getting cold and tired. Bear and moose encounters are also
possible and necessary precautions may have to be taken.
Things may not go to plan so teams need to be equipped with
sleeping bags, food etc so they are self-sufficient for a
couple of days.
You might want to give it a go one year.
Ed Vaneer and I at the start of the Yukon
River Challenge
In 2004 Ed Vaneer and myself paddled the entire
Yukon River starting 170kms upstream of the river mouth near
the locality of Bennett, in Bennet Lake. Here the snow melt
freezing cold lake is dwarfed by high mountains which create
a border between Canada and SE Alaska. The total distance
of our journey was 3360kms. Six days after we had started
our journey in the high mountains we reached Whitehorse and
prepared ourselves to race 715kms from Whitehorse to Dawson
in the Yukon River Quest Race.
We paddle the mountain lakes before reaching
the Yukon River
To our surprize, after only paddling together
as canoe team 4 times in Perth we ended up being the 4th canoe
over the line and the 6th fastest craft overall taking 49
hours 27 minutes to complete, only 20 seconds behind the 5th
place. All other paddlers in front of us knew the river and
what to expect, where we often took the slower channels and
had no idea what lay ahead. When we started we were just out
to finish the race. After 23 hours of paddling and reaching
the first 7 hour stopover we realised we were doing okay so
we tried a bit harder and after the second 3 hour stopover
and last leg, which took nearly 10 hours we were the 4th fastest
craft, and only two minutes behind the second fastest canoe.
We were getting better as the race went on.
To think we only had
one hour of disturbed sleep in 60 hours of being in the race.
(Nearing the end there
was still a dense smoke haze in the valley, it was silent
and the light was dim as we pushed on. Towards 11.45pm we
approached the outskirts of Dawson and civilisation, although
there was no one to be seen. One last burst and we would be
there. Feeling proud of our achievement we approached the
last corner with such speed and energy it was alarming. Our
enthusiasm was beyond belief and Ed, who was carrying an injury,
was beating an incredible rhythm. I thought of the song, "We
are one, we are Australian" and nearly burst into tears
with pride and happiness. It was a moving moment and one that
I will never forget.)
Then when we finished the race and other paddlers
went home we just paddled to the end of the river.
Top left: Forrest fires ruin our vision.
Top right: We used to have a 15 minute quiet time and
just drift with the current. It soon became an important part
of our day.
Middle photo: At camp with a moose
in the background.
Left: Cliffs near Eagle.
Right: Camped on a sandbar near the
end of the river.
We were only 2-3 metres away from this bear.
It was part of a family of five bears on shore.
My book (A Race Along The Way) about the 3360km
journey is only $20.00
or Read about the race
here: https://terrybolland.com/yukon-river-quest/
Training & Courses
Saturday Morning
Training
the 6km race
Rob Jarratt and Jason
Gardner lead Chris Watson and Steve Bolger to the finish line.
Photo John O"Sullivan
Michael Liddle testing
his Avon kayak. Photo John O"Sullivan
Fifi crosses the line.
Photo John O"Sullivan
**********************
Take Note
Saturday morning training
on the 16th July might change to Walyunga Park for
some white water training if there is enough water.
Featured Products
Epic V10
A fully adjustable footbrace combines
with a new high capacity venturi drain to keep water out.
The single footwell and front deck cutaway allows for a closer,
more powerful stroke.
The adjustable footbrace with self adjusting pedals will accommodate
paddlers from 5'3" to 6'5" in height.
Smaller paddlers will be better served with our V10L surf
ski.
Please note: Weights are approximate
and may vary up to 300g.
Club Construction (Fibreglass) Blue nose. 17.5 kg.
Performance Construction Black nose. 15.5 kg.
Ultra Construction Red nose. 12.3 kg.
The new V10 is the most stable of all
elite level surf skis. Expert paddlers will appreciate being
able to apply full power in all conditions. Likewise, paddlers
who have mastered our V10 Sport or surf skis with similar
stability will find an easy upgrade to the new V10 and put
themselves in a new league.
The V10 seat was re-designed for better
comfort. The ergonomics are improved with a narrower width
at paddle entry. The V10 is available with standard or an
optional long footboard for people with big feet.
The new V10 will be fitted with a revolutionary
new EPIC designed and manufactured bailer (patent pending).
The new system can be closed for a dry cockpit and no added
drag when paddling in flat water. When opened, it drains significantly
faster than any other drain system on the market. And it can
easily be adjusted on the fly – open a little to impart
minimal drag when paddling in moderate conditions, or incrementally
more as needed when conditions and water into the cockpit
increase.
V10 Club: 17.5kg. $3100.00 Special
this week $2500.00
V10 Performance 15.5kg $3900.00 Special
this week $3300.00
**************************
Access 400
The Access 400 is the tandem version
of our popular Access 280. This tandem open cockpit kayak
is great for paddling in lakes, rivers and calm open water.
Ideal for either two adults or an adult and child.
A nimble performer that turns really
easily and has lots of features and comfort offerings for
a few hours or even a day out paddling. Great for exploring
those lake edges.
The open cockpit houses 2 large, comfortable
moulded seats and backrests and the front seat in the Access
400 can slide backwards giving you the option to move into
a solo paddling position.
The Access 400 has all the necessary
features including a large rear 10" hatch that's sealed
off by a foam bulkhead so you can carry plenty of gear, adjustable
footrests to suit the whole family and front deck lines for
safe and secure, yet accessible storage.
Length: 4.00m
Width: 84cm
Weight: 32kg
Max Load:250kg
Price $1350.00 Special
$800.00
**************************
Avon River Guide
The Avon River Guide
is a must for all paddlers entering the Avon Descent or paddling
socially down the Avon River.
It not only has heaps of information,
training tips, it also contains detailed maps of every rapid
and has 353 colour photos of the rapids. Another Terry Bolland
Production.
Cost: $ 40.00 Special
$35.00
Specs: A 4 size.
**************************
A Race Along
The Way
It's an easy and enjoyable
read with full colour images.
108 colour photographs, 181 pages, 7
maps. Printed in WA
Price: $20.00
Stories
The Yukon River
Our trip through Canada
and Alaska
The Yukon River Quest.
The Race.
The field starts to break up. Photo Ed Jager
Ed having a rest after
paddling about 18 hours
Five Finger Rapids
The British team of Jason
Merron and Charmian Gradwell at Fine Finger Rapids. Charmian
was a British marathon champion and Jason had only been paddling
2 months. A film crew were following their progress.
A moose started chasing
Joe a kayaker who was just in front of us
We take time to admire
the scenery
With only 70kms to
go, I was feeling exceptionally fit, focused and ready
to fly. I felt that it was now time to step it up a gear.
The river was wide with sweeping corners and currents that
accelerated at great speed around them. Islands of all sizes
divided the flow into several channels challenging our decisions.
The country was forested, isolated and a wilderness of great
beauty. Steep rocky cliffs, some of which were several kilometres
long, intermingled with the wooded shores.
Our extra speed had left Joe languishing
but he'd probably be back, he was proving resilient. I turned
to see him on the other side of the river taking it wide again.
My hope though was that he wouldn't rebound and that we would
power away leaving him to follow our tail. My competitive
instinct was at the fore and my enthusiasm running high. We
were now in 5th place.
A low island stood before us. I guessed
the shortest route was to the right and followed my instinct.
A canoeist was camping on the island and as we passed him
by the canoe suddenly started dragging deeper into shallow
water. We had paddled too far into the shallows to turn back,
so we continued on, the canoe slowing with every paddle stroke
forward. I quietly cursed, we were losing time and were virtually
at a halt, damn, damn, damn, and wondered where the heck was
Joe?
Fortunately Joe was still well behind
but as we crawled out of the shallows he had taken another
route and was catching up. Being a local he knew his way.
Our speed increased as the water deepened and we were soon
back to full power. Though Ed was still suffering from aches
and pains on this leg of the race, he was paddling particularly
well. No rests, no quick naps like on the other legs. This
was the biggest challenge that he had ever taken in his young
19 year old life and he had now grasped it with his heart
and soul.
In the meantime I had lifted my own pace and with about 25kms
to go I felt that I could ask Ed to lift his pace even higher.
Ed responded and at that instant I could feel the canoe lift
and take off. It was such an amazing feeling, to experience
the speed of our canoe rapidly accelerate down the river.
No one would pass us now. But to our alarm Joe somehow found
the strength to catch us, keep up and ride our wash. He knew
though that if he stopped paddling we would get away from
him forever, so he just hung on.
We powered and powered, it was absolutely
magical to be paddling like the wind. We were on fire and
I was enjoying the wild ride on the swift current. We checked
the time and realised that if we increased our pace even further
we could make it to Dawson before midnight. We dug in deep.
It was as if I was floating, the adrenalin must have been
pumping as no matter how hard I paddled I felt no pain, just
a desire to paddle even harder. If there was any time in my
canoeing career that I felt that I could go on forever, this
was the time. To think that we have only had one hour of disturbed
sleep in 60 hours, we had been paddling for 49 hours and were
nearing our 740km goal.
Joe was now struggling to keep up, but to our dismay he did.
I was sure that we were going to run him into the ground but
we couldn't. Time was getting on, would we reach the finish
before him and before the stroke of midnight? It would be
close but we weren't going to give in.
There was still a dense smoke haze in
the valley, it was silent and the light was dim as we pushed
on. Towards 11.45pm we approached the outskirts of Dawson
and civilisation, although there was no one to be seen. One
last burst and we would be there. Feeling proud of our achievement
we approached the last corner with such speed and energy it
was alarming. Our enthusiasm was beyond belief and Ed, who
was carrying an injury, was beating an incredible rhythm.
I thought of the song, "We are one, we are Australian"
and nearly burst into tears with pride and happiness. It was
a moving moment and one that I will never forget.
Joe was still on our wash and had managed
to wash ride us for kilometres, but as we gave it one last
surge, he peeled off and moved over towards the right side
of the river. Somehow he had found his own power surge and
started to pull away from us. I must be dreaming, - it's a
nightmare, this can't be happening. He had been behind us
for so long, now he has taken off and I really thought that
we had sapped him dry. Instead he had rested and was about
to have the last laugh. Sugar! But I really meant Shit! Shit!
Shit!
We turned a corner and all of a sudden
we entered a section of incredibly clean water. It had drained
from the Klondike River into the silty waters of the Yukon
River. A perfect separating line down the middle between the
two waters had been created. The amazing sight momentarily
slowed us, but cheering from people on the bank spurred us
on, this encouragement gave us the inspiration to power over
the line.
Just before midnight and in 49 hours
27 minutes and 15 seconds we crossed the finish line. Joe
crossed the line 20 seconds before us, how close was that!
And what a great race.
We were only 20 seconds
behind kayaker Joe who finished in 5th place.
We were the 4th canoe
to finish and 6th overall. We were awarded $700.00 for our
placing.
On the last leg taking nearly ten hours we were only 2 minutes
behind the second fastest canoe.
We were up against Bruce Barton and Steve Landick who are
the best in their field.
The Overall winners,
canoe paddlers Bruce Barton & Steven Landick
Steve Landick was part
of the greatest canoe journey of modern times, a 28,000-mile
route that crisscrossed the North American continent from
1980 to 1983.
Bruce Barton made the
1976 and 1980 Olympic kayak teams. Bruce raced in two-man
and four-man kayak events in the 1976 Games, but did not reach
either final.
*************************
Bruce is the brother
of Greg Barton Olympic gold sprint kayaker who competed from
the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. Greg is also one of the
owners of Epic Kayaks & Skis.
Greg who competed in three Summer Olympics
won four medals with two golds (K-1 1000 m, K-2 1000 m: both
1988) and two bronzes (1984, 1992: both in K-1 1000 m).
Greg Barton also won six medals at the
ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships with four golds (K-1
1000 m: 1987, K-1 10000 m: 1985, 1987, 1991), a silver (K-1
10000 m: 1990), and a bronze (K-1 1000 m: 1991).
After the race we crossed
the border and headed into Alaska.
Read about the
race here: https://terrybolland.com/yukon-river-quest/
On
The River This Week
Wildlife at
Risk
Although the line was
wound around the gulls beak and neck it could still bite okay
It took three of us to
untangle and cut the line
With the line looped
several times around the wing it was a bit bloody. Hopefully
it won't get infected.
Happy again
Lots of rubbish beneath
a fishing spot near home. No wonder fisherman get a bad name.
**************************
A White Faced Heron chooses
a spit post in the middle of the river to have a good look
around.
But it has stolen the
perch where a Welcome Swallow usually sits
A Welcome Swallow like
a stealth fighter dives down to scare the heron off its perch.
Happy to have its perch
back.
Australia’s most widespread
swallow, the Welcome Swallow can be seen fluttering, swooping
and gliding in search of flying insects in almost any habitat,
between city buildings, over farmland paddocks, in deserts,
wetlands, forests and grasslands and every habitat in between.
Sometimes they even occur at sea — the name ‘Welcome’
swallow comes from sailors who knew that the sight of a swallow
meant that land was not far away. Swallows build their mud
nests in many different situations, though most noticeably
beneath bridges and on the walls of buildings.
Race of the Week
WWR Race #4
Bells to Amiens
The fourth of 6 races for the 2016 Wild Water Season, Sunday
10th July
Online registration
Location: Bells Rapid, lower carpark. Bolland's Elbow
Registration between 8-9 am
Briefing 9:15pm
Race start 9:30pm
Car shuffle is required as the final presentations will be
at Amiens crescent, Baskerville
The course comprises of winding sections of moving water and
ti tree obstacles.
Note: For those entering in the sundries category, this race
is only open to those who are in competition type boats. This
is a timed individual event and we expect those entering the
race are competent white water paddlers.
*****************************
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
I have a number
of small sit-on tops selling from $250.00 to $400.00.
Double CTR with rudder $600.00
Mission Surge Double sit-on $500.00