Not a bad comeback after only paddling a stable canoe for the last year. I even had to give 'some' praise to Alaine for paddling so well, which was difficult for me to acknowledge and hurt me a little to admit.
Paddling on one of those cold days above the Arctic Circle.
******************
My mate Lawrence Greed who is having his 50th birthday this weekend used to be my rival. However we hardly race against each other now, until this week that was. I used to beat him in the Avon Descent but one year he was determined to beat me. That year in practise he was streets ahead, being a lot faster than me. In the event however we were very close. As I passed under Tonkin Highway Bridge near the finish, with Garrettt Road and a win in my sights, Lawrence came up from behind like a steam train with plenty of steam left in him.
As he passed me, I didn’t think it fair to jump on his wash because if we were equal over the line I would win, taking into account the first days result. I should have had more sense as I did a silly thing and played fair and didn’t wash hang him. This became my downfall as Lawrence started to pull away from me and eventually beat me over the line. For quite sometime we didn’t know the true result, as I had beat him on the first day. To his delight and my dismay, after two days of racing he beat me by 7 seconds. Can you believe it.......Seven Seconds!!!
Of course since then he frequently reminds me of the time he beat me.
Although I’m not a fan of winning by wash hanging, on that occasion I should have not allowed my principles to get in the way. I can see a message on my grave… I will miss you Terry (PS can you remember when I beat you in the Avon Descent) Your friend Lawrence.
******************
The new Performance Racing Ski
Terry (T2) raced the brand new Spirit Performance Racing Ski last night at the Ascot race. On a 17 minute course he was 1 minute faster than when he is in his lightweight multisport kayak. This means over a race of about 1 hour the new ski is going to be close to 4 minutes faster than all the other long plastics.
Spirit Performance Racing Ski
Ascot Kayak Club member Bernard Hoffmann took the PRS ski for a spin on Saturday and clocked 13 kilometres an hour. He said he thinks he could keep a pace of 11 – 12 kilometres an hour on longer runs.
Several paddlers have now paddled the new ski in the last week and all have been very impressed and thought it to be an excellent boat to paddle.
******************
You can try the surf version now, but if you are wanting an Avon Descent version you may need to put your name down to make sure you don’t have to wait too long after it is released.
With the new ski being so fast, race organisers are in a quandary to what class to put it in. The long plastic class is regarded to be 4.5 metres and above so in theory at the moment it will be in that class. With it being so fast they are now thinking about creating another class.
******************
FITNESS TRAINING Back to Plastics
but Fibreglass boats are welcome too.......
Our Saturday morning fitness training will start on Saturday 4th, 7.30am start at Sandy Beach Reserve. $5.00 a session. We are going to promote plastic boats. So everyone who paddles a plastic boat will go into the draw for a $50.00 gift voucher. Winner or loser you have the same chance to win.
We start off with a short race, followed by a fitness session which will vary from week to week.
******************
You may think this is the same photo as last week but it's not. Alaine fitness training on the Mackenzie.
Bear Prints beside my 11 size sandal. We were lucky not to meet this big one.
I told Alaine & Leonie that the bears were friendly in Canada. Here we were invited to have a picnic but they wouldn't sit down.
******************
Basic Flatwater Skills Course
Sunday October 12th. 9.00am - 12.00
The course covers - safety, forward and reverse paddling, emergency stop, sweep (turning) and draw strokes, a basic support stroke and a capsize drill.This is a fun day kayaking and an opportunity to meet other people.
$60.00 with own boat
$75.00 boat supplied
Private lessons available Saturday Morning.
******************
Second Hand Boats
Woodpecker K1 Kayak: Very Good condition: $750.00
Riot Sea Kayak fairly good condition $900
Finn Multisport. Used twice $1220.00 with wing paddle. Save $350.00
Discovery 13. Near new condition. $1050 415 with some gear $600
High Deck Wizard K1. Kevlar. Great for Avon Descent. 12kgs. $1500.00
Dominator White Water K1. Full Kevlar. Excellent Condition $1500.00
Perception Corsica Overflow white water kayak: $650.00
******************
UP COMING RACES
4-11 October – Calling for Paddlers and Volunteers
Sat 4 October - Transplant Australia Games is being hosted by the City of Belmont with Ascot Kayak Club running the kayak section.
Cancelled Sun 5 October – Ascot kayak Club Flotilla of craft
******************
Island to Island Marathon - Sun 5 October
CWA 12k Event Start and finish at Ascot Kayak. Hopefully an official will send me the time and details.
******************
24hr Marathon Relay – 10:00am Sat 18 to 10:00am Sun 19 October This date is to be confirmed - An exciting concept run simultaneously across Australia – organised by Burley Griffin CC. Each participating club measures out a 5km loop course with teams of 6 people in similar boats, attempting to do as many laps within 24-hours. Teams range in age from 12 to 60 plus, covering all skill levels. Time for recovery and other aspects of paddling – socialising and eating. Form a team – What better way to get to know your mates, spend 24 hours with them! Ascot Kayak Club is the holder of previous records for this event. Contact event coordinator Peter Martin – petermartin1953@aapt.net.au
******************
2008 Brookfield Multiplex Classic Paddle – Sun 19 October
Get your entries in for this year's Brookfield Multiplex Classic Paddle - 12km race, starts at the Narrows Bridge; or a 4km race from Point Walter; Both finish at Stirling Bridge, Fremantle.
Early bird discount applies on online entries by October 9.
******************
Blackwood Trip
If you are interested in paddling the Blackwood River just read the article on my web site.More recently 5 of our Saturday morning fitness fanatics paddled from Bridgetown to Augusta. Just go to their link.
http://www.ascot.canoe.org.au/site/canoeing/ascot/downloads/Bridgetown%20to%20Augusta.pdf
******************
forward this newsletter onto a friend or send them our
web address http://www.canoeingdownunder.com.au/
196 - NEWSLETTER
