When I got my driving licence at 17+ I made the decision to stop drinking. I wasn’t a big drinker but a social night at a pub with friends or at a dart match was part of living in a country area and most pubs didn’t seem to mind allowing underage people having a drink or two. As soon as I got my driver’s licence I felt it was my responsibility to make sure that I didn’t cause an accident or kill someone because I had alcohol in my system. So for the next 25-30 years I didn’t drink apart from the odd celebratory occasion.

Some decisions we make are sometimes hard to achieve or keep but they are made easier if that reason effects your or someone else’s life.   

At 60 years old I decided that I was going to wear a PFD when paddling in flatwater although I always wore one on the ocean and whitewater. I see it as an aid to saving my life should I have a heart attack or some medical condition that causes me to fall out of my kayak and unable to help myself. And now because I wear one all the time I hardly know that I have one on.

Of course wearing a PFD will not necessary save my life but if the cause for the capsize was not totally death defying at least I have a chance to help myself or to be helped. (It doesn’t take long to drown if you are incapable of helping yourself.) I also like to think if I die whilst paddling I will be found floating rather than sinking to the bottom of the river and coming up all bloated in a few days time.

Many paddlers though can’t understand why I choose to wear a PFD on flatwater or when I’m racing - I think they think I'm odd or can't swim!

The odds of needing to wear a PFD as a life saver is certainly higher after you are 60 years old than at a younger age, but whatever age you are don’t be afraid to wear one because other paddlers think you are strange. It is your decision and your life.

At the WA Sprint Championships paddling a high kneeler C1.

The good thing about paddling is there are so many disciplines and boats to paddle so there is no chance of getting bored.

What Happens When You Drown

The human body is slightly heavier than fresh water. Consequently, when unconsciousness takes place, the body sinks. Fat bodies are slightly more buoyant than thin bodies, but still all bodies will sink in fresh water. If there is considerable clothing on the body along with shoes, articles in the pockets and other paraphernalia, it renders the body considerably less buoyant. As a body sinks into deep water, the pressure of the water tends to compress gasses in the abdominal and chest cavities with the result that the body displaces less water as it sinks deeper and consequently becomes less and less buoyant, the further down it goes.

Almost without exception, a dead body lying on the bottom of a river or lake will come to the surface again. This is due to gas formed in the body tissues as decay occurs. When enough gas has formed to inflate the tissues and distend the skin, the body becomes lighter than water and rises to the surface. This process is due to the action of bacteria within the body. Consequently, the length of time that elapses before the body rises depends not only upon the amount of fat contained in the tissues but on the temperature of the water. If the water is warm, the formation of gas within the body occurs rapidly and the body may rise to the surface in a day or two. However, if the water is cold, bacterial action takes place very slowly and it may take several weeks before the body appears on the surface.

Some of the AKC Progressive Racing Group.

Tuesday night 12 paddlers who have not raced before 3 weeks ago, raced around a circuit on a 3.1km course.They are building up to race longer distances.

 

We meet Tuesday & Thursdays

The end of race was close.

Several of the paddlers in the ‘Progressive Racing Group’ are going to join the racing paddlers at Sandy Beach on Saturday Morning 2^nd February. For the PRG paddlers there will be a separate and shorter race course so if there is anyone out there who has never raced before or are on the fringes of racing and want to give social racing a go this is an excellent time to join the new group. You don’t have to be a club member for Saturday morning but you will need your own craft.

Call or email me if you want to join in. 0417977330 terry@canoeingdownunder.com.au

We had another good Down River Session around the buoys this morning with another 20 paddlers taking part. Again I put out a tight course which tests paddler’s ability to do the turns correctly. Paddlers have to put a lot of trust in their boat leans and sweep strokes whilst trying to keep their speed up.

We practised, Dave then shared some of his knowledge and we finished off with the usual race. With the help of Webscorer which Kris has set up, I can send paddlers off every 30 seconds so it saves time.

It is good to see the beginners becoming more confident and seeing Luke is smash it in the Wavehopper.

Dave Worthy sharing some of his knowledge.

Two days after the WA Sprint Championships the young TID paddlers were out early on the river at Bayswater with coach Andrew Crothers.

Jack Choate above paddled incredibly well at the Senior Slalom Nationals. Jack came 9th overall in the C1 event, placing 1st in U18’s, and 5th in the U18 K1 (15th overall).

George Pankhurst picked up a bronze medal in the U16 C1M, while young-gun Hunter Florisson won the U13 events in the junior champs.

Hunter Florisson at the junior slalom champs.
Photo: Scott Moorhen Photography

Lightweight

In Hi Viz Orange, Blue, Pink and Hi Viz Yellow

Getting Ready For The Avon
The Epic V7

Length: 17′ (5.20m)
Width: 21.25″ (54cm)
Depth: 14″ (35cm)
Weight 24kgs
 

A stable fast plastic ski perfect for the Avon Descent

I knew if I attended the WA Sprint Championships the competition would be hot but the weather was even hotter reaching 40c.

I was competing in the 200m, 500 and 1000 metre K1 and the 200 and 500 metre C1. Only having three over 65 year olds there, Ron, Peter and I we were put in the 55 year and above category and to make up numbers in our event two ladies, Erica McNight and Wendy Burdett joined our group.

The open section of paddlers had to have heats so it meant they had to have two races in the 200, 500 and 1000 metres and if they were paddling in the doubles they had 9 events and a big day of racing. By the end of the day Josh Kippin was the most successful paddler  with 5 gold and one silver. He won the 500 single K1, the 1000 single K1, the 200 K2 with Jesse, the 500 K2 with Jesse, the 200 K2 with Jesse and the came second in the 200 K1, Jesse being the winner in this.

Open Mens. Photo Lawrence Greed.

Under 18 female. Photo Lawrence Greed.

Guppy paddlers. Photo Lawrence Greed.

There were quite a number of younger paddlers in the guppies and older teenagers in the TID squad so that was good to see. Keeping cool was the most important aspect to consider on the day but that was hard once on the water. In the 500 metre events there were some bushes that gave some shade when waiting for our events but no shade waiting for the 1000 metres. It would be good to see some shelters being erected over the water at the beginning of the 1000 m and 500 m mark so paddlers have a chance to keep cool.

My first race was the 500m C1. There was only 3 of us in this category, Attila Kaplan, a 30 year veteran in a high kneeler C1, Peter Martin who was paddling a sitting C1 and me who was paddling a high kneeler. Paddling on one side has its problems but when paddling a very unstable high kneeler C1 the problems are compound especially when lining up in a side wind. By the time the starter, said go I was very much on an angle and with quivering legs. My main aim was to get to the end without falling in and although speed was important it was only secondary at that moment. Once in a rhythm my next aim was to keep in front of Peter. Attila was too fast and too experienced to worry about. With cheering fans on the sidelines I sprinted over the finish line in second place and beating Peter.

35-54 Masters. Photo Lawrence Greed.

Brett McDonald and Garry Clarke battling away. Photo Lawrence Greed.

55-70 Masters. Photo Lawrence Greed.

My next race was the 500 m K1. We were a mixed bunch with a 55 year old, a 63 year old, a 65 year old, 2 x 67 year olds (which includes me) and 2 ladies but I won’t reveal their ages. Well it was a one man race with Francis taking off and not stopping to let anyone catch up, with Ron the best of the oldies and Erica coming third in her Epic V10 ski. It wasn’t the best of feelings watching Erica in the corner of my eye creep ahead but she is a strong lady. David Griffith also beat me which was a bit of a bugger.

Being more of a long distance paddler the 1000m race was more suitable for me but could I beat Erica. Francis was in the lead, followed by Ron, followed by Erica but at the 500 metre mark I started getting the upper hand and when I couldn’t see Erica in the corner of my eye I was much happier so at least in this race I came third and not too many seconds behind Ron who is my age and my benchmark.

At the Sprint Championships. Wait for me!! Photo Lawrence Greed.

Jason Gardner was in the other master’s race and he has been trying to beat me for years. Today he was paddling my Alchemist which was a more stable kayak than his own kayak. In the  500m his time was  2.33 and mine was 2.35 so he beat me by 2 seconds although we weren’t in the same race. In the 1000m my time was 5.21 and Jason’s time was 5.27 so I beat him in that one.

So it all came down to the 200m race. I didn’t fancy my chances and I was right as Jason’s time was 2 seconds faster than mine but Erica beat Jason by 2 seconds and was second in our race with Francis being first, Erica second, David third and Ron forth. It was a great result for Erica and not such a good one for me.

In my C1 200m race Attila again stormed ahead but at least I managed to beat Peter.

I have never been a sprinter and it looks like I will never become a sprinter so I will have to settle with paddling a few thousand kilometres to make my mark in paddling.

 

file:///C:/Users/Terry/AppData/Local/Temp/WA%20State%20Canoe%20Sprint%20Championships%20%202019-1.pdf
 

https://www.paddlewa.asn.au/2019/01/22/2019-canoe-sprint-state-championships/

 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/491qn8z7o0j6dyv/AAAhbWQ4zof0KBYAA6j2iTtRa?dl=0&fbclid=IwAR1iF7oTMxz9MFKw10CB3B__YJkUG-rA8FRYqgCUxQ7kkGcQJU7zBAp3pHY

Swan Canoe Club
Holiday Program

Mosman Park

These great fun loving children enjoy the Swan Canoe Club holiday program. 

Sprint Regatta #5
Sunday 3rd February
Champion Lakes, WA

Marathon #4 - Canning River Race
Sunday 10th February
Deep Water Point, Canning

2019 Sea Kayak Fest
22nd-25th February 2019

Rod Fry Memorial Race
Sunday 17th February
Swan Canoe Club