Enjoy the CDU Newsletter
Published: Fri, 10/07/16
519
7th October 2016
Message Bank
Can you remember when there used to be over 300 boats at
the Classic Paddle, Fremantle to Perth Race? So what has happened
to all those paddlers as there are only 100 boats in the race
this year. This race used to attract a lot of Surf Club paddlers
but there doesn't appear to be the same amount of Surf Club
participation as there used to be. When you go down the list
of entries the majority of paddlers are regulars of the Marathon
Races. Is the race conflicting with some other event or are
the surf paddlers no longer interested? We are also lacking
paddlers below 35 years old with only 7 in the open class
and 2 in the under 23. It appears paddling is not attracting
the young.
This year there are only 7 Open Ski, 2 under 23 Ski, 13 ladies
Ski, 10 over 35 Ski, 17 over 45 Ski, 14 over 55 Ski which
includes at least 3 over 65, 11 Double Craft, 5 x Long Plastic,
4 K1s, 4 Dragon Boats, 7 Surf Boats, 3 Outriggers and 2 Stand
Up Boards.
So what has happened, we can't blame the sharks,
we can't blame climate change (although we are having unseasonable
weather), and we probably can't blame the Prime Minister,
so what is the answer?
*****************************************
Our Juniors are our
New Blood
Our juniors line up at the Island to Island
Race
Hunter Florisson (U10/GK1) with a style of
a champion
Byron Martin, with a smile of a film star
and like his dad just so happy when he's in a kayak
Jess Reynolds 3rd in Division 4 in her first
race. Jess lives down south so unable to get to many of our
races.
*************************
Bevan Dashwood Dash
Sunday 23rd October 2016 - Kent St Weir
Sponsored by "Canoeing Down Under"
*************************
Important information - Regatta
1 Cancelled
Please be advised that the Sprint Committee has made the
unfortunate decision to cancel this Saturday's scheduled regatta.
This decision was not made lightly, but was deemed necessary
due to a number of factors, including:
- lower than expected paddler numbers;
- lack of willing volunteers;
- higher costs of hiring the Champion Lakes venue;
- the high number of late entries
For those paddlers who registered online, fees can be held
for Regatta 2, or a refund can be arranged if you prefer.
If a refund is your preference you will need to forward you
bank details to CWA.
The next regatta will be held on the 5th November and will
now be at Champion Lakes instead of Bayswater.
We ask that you all Register early to avoid this happening
again.
Training & Courses
Monday Night
Training
is on.
Hinds Reserve
Garrett Road Bridge
5.45pm
*******************
Saturday Morning
Fitness Training
7.15am for a 7.30am start
Sandy Beach Reserve, West Road,
Bassendean
Featured Products
New Epic V8
Pro
A perfect ski for this seasons downwind races
The New V8 Pro is Epic's
brand new surfski design. It is the perfect surfski for paddlers
seeking a significant performance upgrade from the popular
Epic V8. Compared to the V8, the V8 Pro adds 30cm of length
and cuts nearly 4cm off the width, creating a surfski design
with paddling dynamics that are both livelier and faster than
the V8.
In terms of stability and speed, the V8 Pro fits perfectly
between the V8 and V10 Sport, allowing proficient V7 or V8
class paddlers to take the next step in performance.
The V8 Pro cockpit has been designed
with a slightly reduced "hump" under the paddler's
knees, a feature which will be appreciated by smaller paddlers.
It is optimized to fit paddlers from 147cm to 196cm in height.
The V8 Pro includes the same innovative
outfitting features of the V8 including bow, stern and center
carry handles, water bottle holder and the patented Epic bailer.
One of the unique features of the the Epic bailer is that
it can be fully closed to seal off the surfski cockpit. It
can also be opened in increments to drain the cockpit of any
excess water as needed.
Specs
Length: 5.79m
Width: 50.5 cm
Depth: 32 cm
Capacity: 36 - 127 kg
Weights
Club: 16.8 kg
Performance: 15 kg
Ultra: 12 kg
*********************************
Illusion Ski
The cheapest new ski
you will ever find
SPECIAL $1200.00
Only one left
**********************
Thule Slipstream
The Slipstream makes
it easier to load your kayak on the roof
The roller helps to slide
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Features:
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Up to 2 carriers per vehicle.
Includes all straps to transport 1 kayak.
Length of unit 178cm.
Kayak cradels lengthways apart 145cm.
Width of base unit 59cm.
Primary watercraft: Kayak.
34kg load rating.
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsjDL8Y7MtM
Price: $669.00
Special $399.00 One Only
Stories
Island to Island
Well it was the first Marathon
Race of the season and the weather wasn't going to be kind
to us. Originally I was going to paddle my WWC1 but the extreme
wind had me doubting my decision. I know I'm quite mad with
some of the things I do but even I was thinking I wouldn't
be in a right mind to paddle the race with one paddle blade,
kneeling and paddling on one side in 35km winds? I didn't
like changing classes but I decided to pike out and I paddled
my Time Bandit instead.
Peter Martin who has been organising Marathon Races for years
stepped down last season and a new committee was formed with
Hugh Trivett volunteering to organise this race. The committee
are encouraging other paddlers and non-paddlers to volunteer
to help organise the races.
The Marathon Series Sponsor
is 'Be Active' with 'Canoeing Down Under 'also supporting
the 10 races. It was good to see about 100 paddlers at the
first race of the season. Many paddlers take a bit of a break
through winter or after the Avon Descent so it's always interesting
to see who hasn't been slacking off. Grids one, and two were
off first and 2 minutes after the second grid 25 paddlers
including me took off in the third grid.
Division 1. Photo Rick
Division 2. Photo Rick
Division 3. Photo Rick
The start is about 280
metres upstream of the finish line at Ascot Kayak Club and
because we have to go around Ron Courtney Island it means
we are not too congested on that first corner. I was actually
quite proud of myself as when I reached the island I was about
the 5th boat which is pretty unusual for me as I'm not a sprinter.
As we rounded the island I noticed Jerry Alderson just ahead
in his K1. Jerry is older than me but he is a very good paddler,
although he hasn't been so active in the last 2-3 years so
he was a little slower than normal. Nevertheless he was still
ahead of me.
It felt good to be behind the lead bunch and chasing Jerry
down. I caught up with him but Bonnie and Rob Roll were still
a little ahead and for a moment there I thought I had a chance
of catching them. My dream was soon shattered when they slowly
started moving away from me.
Bonnie. Photo Rick
Rob Roll back from injury.
Photo Rick
The red nose of an Epic
V10 suddenly came beside me about 100 metres downstream of
the south end of the island. I was surprised when I noticed
it being that of Mark Sedgwick as he has been training very
hard and is a lot faster than me. I knew my position was in
jeopardy but if I could stay on his wash I would be set for
the race and certainly leave my competition behind. For a
few moments life was good but my old muscles just didn't have
the strength to hold on so he leapt ahead. I wasn't too disappointed
as I had managed to pass Jerry. When Baillee Liddle came up
beside me I knew what she was thinking. Come on you old codger
get back to your retirement home make way for the young. I
tried to keep up and pretend that I wasn't working that hard,
but her young fit body slipped by me so effortlessly. I reflected
back to when I had a body like that, well not quite like that
but let's say a lot slimmer and fitter than I am now! Her
main competitor though, Bonnie was up front so she would have
to work hard if she wanted to catch her.
Mark Sedgewick who is
on fire. Photo Rick
I was being punished enough
with the people passing but the wind had really picked up
on the long straight section before Garratt Road Bridge so
it was really hard work. I could see Mark, Bonnie and Rob
Roll up front now battling it out. Noel Lloyd caught up with
me and I could see Jerry Alderson and Judy Darbyshire taking
advantage of the calm conditions close to the shore. I wondered
if I should have gone across but I didn't want to detour I
kept on the same line as Noel. Although the wind was extremely
strong it was a lot worse yesterday to we had to be thankful.
My self-esteem was shattered
again, halfway down the straight when a group of paddlers
started passing me. To make matters worse they were paddlers
I used to beat. Watching Erica McKnight, Simon O'Sullivan,
Daniel Smee and Stuart Kirby go by had been thinking that
I should have paddled my WWC1, at least there wouldn't have
been any competition and I wouldn't have to face the four
paddlers later. To add salt to my big open wound it was Stuarts'
first race but he had been training hard, well I hope he had
been.
Daniel Smee. Bugger he
beat me as well. Photo Rick
Stuart Kirby in his first
race. Photo Rick
There were only 8 paddlers
ahead of me and 6 of those were paddling Epic boats which
made me a little happier. As we headed around the south side
of the Ascot Island Judy eventually passed Noel, Shania Smee
and I. It wasn't my finest moment but she was in a low deck
wizard which I would have sold.
As we turned around the spit post outside Ascot Waters I glanced
back to see how far the next group of paddlers including Hugh
Trivett, Brett Young and Jane Liddle were behind. They weren't
that far and I knew that if I dropped away from Noel they
would gain on me and work as a team to hunt me down. Judy
was still a few metres ahead when we left Ascot Waters and
headed home with the wind behind us. Soon after the bridge
though Judy decided to head towards the left shore but I kept
in the centre of the river with Noel. I felt pretty proud
that I was able to keep up with him being a lot younger man
but later I found out that he was 69 years old and 4 years
older than me. That didn't make me feel too good about my
fitness.
Hugh Trivett and Brett Young. Photo Rick
The leaders Matt Dean
and James Morfitt. Photo Rick
Brett Mcdonald. Photo
Rick
Darryl Long and John
Hilton. Photo Rick
Two or three hundred metres
or so before the Tonkin Highway Bridge Judy looked as if she
was now behind us but then I saw Jerry Alderson who had come
back to haunt us egged her on and soon she was back in front
again. Lloyd kept up a good pace and I did everything to keep
up with him. Jerry's resurrection gave Judy a new lease of
life as Jerry led and encouraged her on. I didn't really want
to be beaten by Judy but I didn't have enough strength to
get by her. I was hoping that Noel had some reserve in the
tank to pass her and take me with him but he couldn't pass
her either. With 100 metres to go we all sped up but Judy
and Jerry just pipped Noel and I to the line.
Although I wasn't too happy with my position but at least
I beat 14 other paddlers in Division 3.
Jeremy Alderson, Judy
Darbyshire, Noel Lloyd and myself heading for the finish line.
Photo Rick
My favourite Fish Lips
pose! Photo Rick
Matthew Jones close behind
in his V7. Photo Rick
Race of the Week
They are just
having fun
Cockatoos at play
Balancing on wire
Balancing a honky nut
Race of the Week
Bevan Dashwood
Dash -
Sunday 23rd October 2016
- Kent St Weir
Sponsored by "Canoeing Down Under"
Race the scenic route along the Canning River.
Enjoy the beautiful surrounds at Kent St Weir
There is a course for everyone;
Long Course 12km: Kent St Weir to Shelley Bridge, then to
Hester Park & back to Kent St Weir, portage at Kent St
Weir.
Short Course 6km: Kent St Weir to Shelley Bridge & return.
Slalom and Guppy Course: 3km
Bring your whole family; and support the Slalom Cafe
Complete Registration Form Below - Entry Fees - Includes Sausage
Sizzle & Drink - Extra Food will be for sale on the day
for non paddlers
Australian Canoeing Members Fees - Under 18's $15, Adults
$20
Non-Australian Canoeing Members Fees - Under 18's $25, Adults
$30
Race Number Allocation and Late Registrations are from 7:30am
- 8:15am
Race Starts 9.00am
Late Registrations on day of competition incurs a late fee
of $5
Classes set on Thursday evening prior to Event
Enter here:
http://slalomwa.canoe.org.au/2016/09/22/bevan-dashwood-dash-sunday-23rd-october-2016-kent-st-weir/
*********************
Sprint Kayak
Regatta
dates for this season
Regatta 1- Saturday 8th October - Champion Lakes Cancelled
due to bad weather
Regatta 2 - Saturday 5th November - Bayswater
Regatta 3 - Saturday 3rd December - Champion Lakes
State Champs - 14th - 15th January - Champion Lakes
Regatta 4 - 26th February - Champion Lakes
*********************