The Avon Descent Thread

[timmay]

Cheers boys.

[Jamathi]

I have got to say that this international event is cruely mismanaged from a spectators point of view!
It can be sooo much more and better!
A cruel shame when local shire's are getting the gong!
Potential a plenty but sadly not achieved!
Only interesting from a participating point of view!

[Lefty]

I have got to say that this international event is cruely mismanaged from a spectators point of view!
It can be sooo much more and better!
A cruel shame when local shire's are getting the gong!
Potential a plenty but sadly not achieved!
Only interesting from a participating point of view!

How/why so?

[Jamathi]

DSC_8276.jpg2011 Peel region Canoe week 27 August-11 september 2011;
Saturday 27-8-2011; Murray Whitewater Festival!
Lower Murray river Dwellingup!
Mismanagment,
No info how to posibly participate, no info on race results nor who is who for the average spectator, no related trade shows, no decent facilities.
Bull dust OH&S signs declaring foot bridge in Bayswater park capacity of max 80 people WTH!
you could not fit 30 hungry skeletons on it!
typical local goverment waste of a great event!
Never mind the commercial sponsors are not getting involved (Very sad)
Very dissapointed for average spectator as you cannot get "Involved" nor close to the show at all!

[Eukanuba]

Jamathi: are we talking about the descent, or a paddling event in Dwellingup ?

Most of the details are on the avon descent website on how to get the best vantage points.. how to join, or how to compete..
If you're talking about paddling - most of the kayak shops like Finn or the kayak shops have heaps of brochures up..

Unfortunately, the Descent is only publicised in a very narrow window every year.. by the time you hear about it - most guys have been practicing for months..
This is why it's so hard to get sponsors - because people are only interested when they hear about it.. the other 11 months of the year are almost dead..

You're best to set up 12 months in advance..it'll take you that long to get race ready..

[Desmo]

You are getting a bit of air time Euk...

Repair time.
How far did you get from the start before you crashed and burned euk?

[Rich]

nah..footage of Euk nearly drowning...

[Eukanuba]

Desmo, 1/2 way into day 2.. emu falls.


On a different note..

Thought I would let you know I contacted Channel 10 and they have scheduled a slot for the highlights

Channel 10 Saturday 20/8/11 @ Midday
Channel 1 Sunday 21/8/11 @ 7.30am
Saturday 27/8/11 @ 7.30am

[Jamathi]

Desmo, 1/2 way into day 2.. emu falls.


On a different note..

Thought I would let you know I contacted Channel 10 and they have scheduled a slot for the highlights

Channel 10 Saturday 20/8/11 @ Midday
Channel 1 Sunday 21/8/11 @ 7.30am
Saturday 27/8/11 @ 7.30am

Thank you very much for these times!

Who here is already planning/training for next year's event?
It will be the 40th Avon Descent event!

[xphread]

Hopefully next year I will be on our block watching everyone go past! (maybe even from the living room with binoculars )

Not sure how exciting a vantage point it will be as its on the flats - but its towards the end, so if you want you can see the contenders for the lead - then drive off to the Garrat Rd bridge to see the finish?
Might organise a PSB (WTF) BBQ for this if anyone is interested.

Will be buying some Kayaks since its a short drag to the river, and have done 3/4 of the course (over 3 days)... but don't think I'm up for the race!

[Eukanuba]

I'm planning on the 40th.. should be good fun !

[Jamathi]

Gummy has got 3 Avon descent boats for sale!

[Jimbo]

Aww euk, just saw the footage of you guys getting hammered at emu's. Painful to watch, bet it felt worse. Hope everyone pulled up ok...... You never did catch me with that prop of yours. Better luck next yeah, eh?

[Eukanuba]

Jimbo: best way to do anything.. is get back in and have another crack at it.. yeah, I'll be in again next year..

Just hope the sponsor gets the airtime.. that's what it's all about - promoting the sponsor.. look after them, and hopefully they stay onboard for another year..

We've got another race next weekend in bridgetown, then there's another 5 weeks after that.. so a fail in the descent isnt a fail in our racing season..

Our main boat's almost finished patching, 2 spare boats are ready.. and I have another motor ready to go... preparation for the win

[activeman]

So, who is in training for this years event?

I've just bought a kayak, with a view to competing in 2013 rather than this year. I had heard that each kayaker needs a buddy to register, can anyone confirm or deny this?

[Jimbo]

Activeman - no buddy required, but you will need to demonstrate experience in marathon events (check out the canoeing wa website for the WA marathon season - enter as many of those as you can get to) & need to do a whitewater competancy course (1 day once the river levels rise & we get some white water).

[Eukanuba]

Power Dinghy's go all year round.. we dont have an ' off season '..

EVENT	DATE
Australia Day Race	26th January
Burswood	19th February
Near Enough Cup	18th March
Dawsville Dash	22nd April
Swan Marathon	06th May
Nannup Cup	03rd June
Sunnyside Sprint	08th July
Avon Descent Scrut./Time Trials	22nd July
Avon Descent Practice Days	28th / 29th July
Avon Descent	4th / 5th August
The River Race	26th August
Blackwood Classic 250	29th,30th Sept & 1st Oct.
North vs South Challenge	TBA
Burswood Bash	TBA

[MrMike]

A mate and i were talkin about entering the avon in a powerboat on the weekend. Yes we were a bit drunk at the time but it is something that i have thought about doing for a long time, and its on his bucket list to do the race in a kayak. There isnt much chance of us being ready this year due to time/money/fitness and previous boat experience being nil but 2013 would be an achieveable goal.

What would be are first step in prep and a realistic expected cost/budget to go racing next year?

[Eukanuba]

The amount you spend is directly proportional to the amount you break

I would suggest, if you are keen - getting a ride on the deck of an experienced driver.. it'll make you better - and besides, who know's if after you drop $4000-5000 that you still want to race ?

You'd be better to put your hand up - do a couple seasons, then expand ( if you decide you want to ) into your own boat.. but if you get a good driver - and you're prepared to put your hand in your pocket to help pay some of the bills.. that you may be happy to stick with a driver.. and you'll be able to race a season or 2 for a lower cost...

Pricings estimated -

$500 pp insurance fee and club fee
$1500 boat ( should be enough there for fuel tanks etc )
$1500 motor ( second hand )
$ 150 helmet
$ 150 wetsuit
$ 100 Life jacket
$ 50 gloves
$ 50 booties
$ 1000 propellors ( you probably wont have anything, so you'll need plenty to get you started )
$ 500 trailer ( you need one to get your stuff around )

You'll need camping gear too... if you havent already got the stuff you need...

My only condition from this point on - is that if I'm going to invest in a decky - then I want a decky that WILL attend for training, WILL come to repair the boat - and WILL put the hand in the pocket to help pay a share in boat fuel, oil and race fees..

I'm sick of continually putting my hand in my pocket to pay - and then having the decky pull out after 1 season.. so from now on - it's a minimum 2 year contract on my decky's..

That being said... I have 3 boats, 4 motors - and I fully expect my decky to become a skilled driver - incase I am injured and they need to take the stick..

[MrMike]

i assume its pretty physically demanding being a decky?

Bare with me cos i am a complete n00b as far as this is concerned, but i assume the deckys main role is to weight shift about the boat when cornering etc?