The Avon Descent Thread

[Koola]

Sup PSB.

It's coming around to that time of year again, when the river gets high and the water starts flowing at a much quicker pace. The rains fill up the Valley, and a whole bunch of mad craftsmen gather their gear to scoot down the rapids to the finish.






All photo's courtesy of the Avon Descent Gallery 2008.

For those that are interested, the '09 Descent Kicks off on the 1st & 2nd of August. Entries close on the 9th of July. Volunteers and spectators are welcome anytime, providing you bring a cheer squad and a responsible attitude. River levels are reported to be as high as last year, and are expected to rise. Gonna be going for a quick blat to check on Bells Rapids tomorrow to confirm.

Anywho, to the real question...is anyone in PSB involved in the Avon, racing or otherwise? Does anyone want to do it or have an interest?


Your friendly neighbourhood red-head,

Koola.

[Slice]

Would freakin love to do the paddle course but can't find the time for training.

[chance]

#021 is Glen Dicarlo his deckies vary

#037 is Tracey and Steve

If my boat was ready for this #299 would be there tooo.

Will be at our usual spot at cobblers with the multi coloured Leyland Panther bus, come say gday !!

[Koola]

I'll try to do that! If you want to join in mate, we're a few operators short in the rescue department.


I'd put money on Toddie and Ian winning the powercraft again, though i've been out of the PDRC loop for a while now...though things rarely change on that front

[potato]

and its raining every day up in 2j, extracts is swollen now and under the west 2j bridge she's filled and flowing well, still needs another foot or two to sort it though.

[MattstaZX10r]

Anyone got a open class p/b hull for sale in good nick?

[Eukanuba]

Matt, should have bought the one I just sold for $500...

I'm in.. here's my sled.. ( I'm driver )





Chance, come have a beer bro - We'll be at camp - come look for the black jeep with #234 on the side.. we'll be around reece and mciver racing ( 176 i think )

You cant miss our new paintjob, It'll be finished shortly - I'll post some pics up

[dugy]

I hope to check out the action and get some photo's over the weekend's racing.

[Eukanuba]

dugy, I've got a helmet cam.. I cant wait to get the footage from the start line - show y'all what it's like out there... gonna be great - I'm already buzzin

[Koola]

^Rightfully so, sir. Cheers for the info Tato, that's gonna make things interesting down the Chute!

Just got back from Bells, the water level is higher than '08 July. So allowing for rainfall this month, levels should be higher than last. Gonna be a hoot!
















Matt if you want a boat, come down to the PDRC on a race day and ask around politely. I'm sure there'll be somebody there with one looking to sell.

[Eukanuba]

Omg, those pics are avon porn !

[chance]

Only us ""chain smoking, beer swelling aqua bogans"" understand the thrill of being in ice cold water, being battered n bruised then and at the end of the day telling everyone what fun we had.

[fonzy]

wow - bells looks full. used to be there every year to watch the boats go by.

Out of interest - anyone know how good a paddler should by be before you enter?
my dad did it twice in the 70's/80's but stopped each time around the west swan rd bridge.
I want to beat his attempt

[Eukanuba]

aqua bogans, hehehehe that's the funniest boat ever...

all bashed up lookin with a couple boys hangin over the side.. hahahah

[Marty MOOSE]

Originally Posted by fonzy

wow - bells looks full. used to be there every year to watch the boats go by.

Out of interest - anyone know how good a paddler should by be before you enter?
my dad did it twice in the 70's/80's but stopped each time around the west swan rd bridge.
I want to beat his attempt

Depends on where you want to place ?? Go join a club like ascott or Swan kayak clubs and get hooked up.

Bare min would be three 1-3 hour sessions a week mixing up speed and endurance work.
And then you have to pick the right boat to suit. If you have not done much paddling get as many valley runs in as possible ad try to train on the ocean if you have the right type of craft. Its not that hard but does take a little bit of "i'm not giving up for anyone". Go see Terry at canoeing down under he puts his money where is mouth is at all levels of the sport not just the top end like some of the other players out there.

MM

[ScratchPervert09]

If only I had a wooden barrel and some balls.

[Marty MOOSE]

LOL if you wnat to play that caper forget the avon it has no rapids go to the lower Murray

[chance]

Originally Posted by Marty MOOSE

LOL if you wnat to play that caper forget the avon it has no rapids go to the lower Murray

The Blackwood 250 is a longer event than the Avon, just not as much white water.


Eukanuba have you done this race also ??? Il take you up on the beer offer also. When the event gets closer we can chat. I have trailer so can help out with support crew duties if needed. Il be following boat 011, 021 and 110 but whats one more hey

[Marty MOOSE]

Originally Posted by ScratchPervert09

If only I had a wooden barrel and some balls.

I was refering to this post. I've never heard of the Blackwood 250 is it a paddle event as well ?? I don't get into powerboats just paddling. There is a race soon from Northam to Toodyay as a pre run of the avon start. I'm pretty sure its for paddlers only but.

The Murray is not a race its just playboating. The rapids are much larger than the Avon. There is a race of sorts held on the lower Murray as part of the Murray river white water festival but its a pretty closed event due to the size of the rapids most of the guys paddle playboats or creek boats.

MM

[Koola]

Nah the Blackwood Classic 250 is the longest river race of the year: a timed race from Bridgetown to Augusta. As Chance said, not much white water but it's still got one hell of a current, no paddlecraft.