21st June 2019                                                        CDU Newsletter 620

Terry 0417 977 330

terry@canoeingdownunder.com.au email

https://canoeingdownunder.wordpress.com/  website

https://www.facebook.com/canoeingdownunder/ facebook

https://terrybolland.wordpress.com/ trips & achievements

John, Luke and I have 35 days to go before heading over to Canada to do the sea kayak paddle along the west coast. We have ordered 3 new plastic sea kayaks. Now we need to find a good place to stay in Vancouver for a couple of days before starting off, which won't break the bank.

Two weeks ago I thought I was going to die. Well probably that is an exaggeration but I’m a man and that is how it seemed.  On Sunday 2^nd June I could feel some sort of sickness developing and on my birthday the next day I was bed ridden and not only feeling sorry for myself but for all those people who are really sick. With Jenny being in England I couldn’t even get any sympathy and Nikki my dog didn’t seem to care. After a few days in bed I took to the sofa in the lounge room to sleep and rest in the daytime but I had to fight Nikki for the best position as she tried to steal all the sofa and when she spreads out there is no room for two of us.

Although Nikki could see that I was stressed out and not feeling well she never gave up trying to take over my part of the sofa. When she did steal my place and used my two soft pillows and my blanket to get snug I could see the snigger and the pleasure on her face and her  thinking - Yes this place is now mine, go away!!

Nikki didn't mind stealing my place on the sofa.

 

After the first week I thought I was getting better but I wasn’t and the smell of the food I cooked and the food I cooked for Nikki had my stomach churning. I did manage to get some fresh air though as Nikki insisted we went out for a walk twice a day.

In that second week I was still short of energy. If I did any chore for a few minutes I had to rest or sleep for the next hour or two. Even checking my emails was too difficult most of the time and a newsletter was out of the question. Life wasn’t fun, although I did have one of the most relaxing views of the river from the sofa that anybody could have. With the pelicans, cormorants and ducks flitting up and down the river, and the magpies and kookaburras singing from the Marri trees surely life wasn’t that bad but as my health didn’t seem to get any better so it did seem bad. I now could imagine why people who are really sick get down and feel that life is not worth living.  

By the end of the second week I was regaining a little of my energy but I still didn’t feel like doing anything although I did have to do some shopping, take Nikki for walks and time the PRG groups training sessions . As Jenny was still away I still couldn’t get any sympathy or play the man-flu card which was very disappointing.

The river outside home has been buzzing with pelicans and cormorant activity this winter.

After 17 days of no paddling I managed to get on the river and paddle about 3 kms which was enough for my first paddle back. My body ached and I still had no energy to gain any speed. The next day life took a turn for the better. Pelicans and cormorants were chasing fish along the river and I was able to get in my kayak and just watch the spectacle. Although I was out in the sunshine for a couple of hours and paddled less than 3 kms you can’t beat nature to help you feel better and to realise that life is worth living and we really don’t have to go far from our homes to experience nature at its best.

 

As well as training on a Tuesday and Thursday evening the PRG members also meet on some Saturdays. Last Saturday 15 members turned up for a technique session, a video session, a 1km race and a 4.8km handicapped race.

Many of the participants brought food so we had lunch together.

 

If you want to join our group and have fun as well as getting fit don't hesitate.

The Rudder Breakers
 

Some paddlers call them Bolland's Branches because they think I placed them there to create an income. Every time a paddler breaks a rudder blade on these snags they call on me to get a new one. Like Josh Richards did last night.

 

When going upstream keep to the left of the spit post to avoid hitting the logs.

You can see these logs on a lower tide.

These snags are about 700 metres upstream of Sandy Beach and the first big one is roughly 30 metres passed the spit post. The smaller one like a Y is further upstream about 10 metres from the bank.

Looking downstream you can see the log just under the water.

Looking downstream.
The Y Branch is about 10 metres from the bank so it's best not to cut the corner.

Christopher Greed is on his way to Sort, Spain to complete in the World Freestyle Kayak Championships. His dad Lawrence is going with him to show him how it is done!!!
Or to carry his bags.

The Epic V7 is a great craft to do the Avon Descent in.
Fast, stable, comfortable and safe. 

 

What is Happening to The Avon Descent?

The Avon Descent doesn’t seem to have the same appeal that it used to have and it seems to be getting worse every year. I remember when there used to be a good vibe leading up to the Avon Descent but that sense of excitement among paddlers doesn't seem to be around anymore.

 It can’t be all blamed on the lack of water, or the organisation.

I suppose the world is changing fast and there are more challenges and events that people can take part in which are probably easier to train for and don't require the same commitment. Once upon a time the Avon Descent was WAs only big adventure challenge. Now we have the Rottnest Swim and a multitude of Adventure Races. The cost to run the Avon Descent is getting more expensive, it’s harder to get media coverage and the sponsorship has dwindled to next to nothing so it is an uphill battle for the organisers.

There is no doubt the Avon Descent has lost a bit of its appeal but it is still a great event and although we have our grumbles and gripes it all seems to pan out on the day and competitors love the experience.

Saying that though there is room for improvement!

I get the feeling that there isn't as much cohesion as there used to be between the Avon Descent Committee, Paddle WA and the paddlers who race. I have heard the Avon Descent Committee is getting a little more difficult to work with.  

So if this is right - why is this?

Surely it’s better for the sport and for Northam to sit down with all the relevant parties and try to work together, rather than going alone which just ends up with a lot of disgruntled people. 

When the Avon Descent entries opened at the Paddle Challenge Race which is organised by Paddle WA there was more of a vibe. There used to be hundreds of paddlers take part. The race was also classed as a seeding race which attracted more paddlers. Now the entries open earlier and this year the race only attracted 73 paddlers although it was a wet and windy day so some paddlers would have been put off. Surely having a big race to open the entries would have a better impact.  

I don’t really know what is the answer or know the ins and outs of what is happening at the committee level but for the Avon Descent Race to move forward all parties need to get together. I do know that more recently whenever we get a paddler on the Avon Descent Committee they don’t seem to last long. 

So has the decline in participation been due to there being more events that paddlers can take part in without doing so much training?

Is it because there are less paddlers getting into the white water sport?

Is it because there is little promotion?

Is it because paddlers don’t agree with the AD committee decisions?

Is it because many canoe shops have closed down and are not there to encourage paddlers to take part?

I know that Canoeing Down Under used to attract lots of paddlers to take part in the race. We used to run flat and white water training sessions and competency assessments which helped to increase paddler confidence in a safe environment. At our support team meeting we used to hire a hall because we had so many people. But a lot less of this happens now. 

I don’t have the answers, but to increase participation the Avon Descent Committee need to work with all concerned and to listen and be respectful of the people who take part in the event, which in turn should get more people helping and promoting the event.

We also need more training programs to build up the skills and the confidence that paddler’s need to enter the race.

We need paddling clubs to be more involved and run programs.

There are many other things that need improving on but on a positive side boats are so much cheaper than they used to be. You can now buy a used plastic craft between $300-$900.00 so it is now cheaper to get into paddling than it used to be.

If you are taking part in this year’s Avon Descent – you will love the challenge.

I have been involved with the Avon Descent since 1978. I have competed in 26 Avon Descents and trained, (with the help of my instructors,) thousands of paddlers who have entered the Avon Descent over that time. I love the Avon Descent Race. You will never find a race in the world as unique, but I also love going on big expeditions which usually take place at the same time  of year so to my regret I will miss this years Avon Descent for the 13th time because of a trip to Canada.

So good luck to you all.

SunSmart Marathon Race #7
Upper Swan Race

Middle Swan Bridge, Sunday 23rd June
Registrations for the final race of the SunSmart Marathon Series are open!
The Upper Swan Race is one of the most challenging races in the series due to the length of the various courses.

Long Course: 26km
Short Course: 13km
Novice/Guppy Course: 7km

Enter here:
https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=184256

The Paddle Challenge
 

Report here: https://www.paddlewa.asn.au/blog/2019/06/12/2019-sunsmart-paddle-challenge/

Results here: https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=184089

Unfortunately I was too sick to take part in the Paddle Challenge and the Down River Drain Race.

 

Read more: https://mailchi.mp/d608d3729a92/registration-open-for-wwr-2-wwr-170677?fbclid=IwAR0XwaSAocVkvkjathum0xDW-fFX362jjCrAVmzUB8AvMZ7F3sVyqpAQBRo

 

Results here: https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=184984

What a great photo of the start area. Photo John O'Sullivan

The winner Dave Worthy. Photo John O'Sullivan.

The ladies winner Jane Pankhurst. Photo John O'Sullivan.

Cody Pope chased by John Dinucci. Photo John O'Sullivan.

Wednesday Morning On the River
 

When I woke the river was teeming with over 60 pelicans, hundreds of cormorants and several egrets as well as the usual mass of ducks.

 

I could see all the activity from the house but before I could go paddling I had to take Nikki for a walk at Claughton Reserve. When I arrived there 300 metres away the pelicans were having a feeding frenzy. 

 

How many places in Australia in the city limits can you find so many birds in one small area. And this is not counting the parrots, magpies, ducks and a number of other birds that are in the trees along the river bank.

A few of the 60 pelicans and a couple of egrets in front of my house.

 

As soon as I arrived home I took to the water and just paddled and drifted in the pack of Pelicans and Cormorants. It was just what the Doctor ordered to return a bit of life in me.
 

Unfortunately when I paddle my racing kayak I am not able to take my big camera so I just use my point & shoot waterproof Olympus.

Pelicans passing the steps I use to get to the water. 50 metres downstream there is also a concrete kayak ramp.

They would stop and fish and then fly on a bit further.

Pelicans and cormorants gather next to the Ascot Kayak Club.