A Paddle On the Wild Side
A Novice Paddler taking his new boat out for a spin at Rottnest Island -
An afternoon paddle turned into a fight for survival. On a maiden voyage from Thomson Bay to nearby Longreach Bay he was quickly swept out to sea by strong south-west winds and a big swell.
Wearing only shorts and T shirt he was tossed around in extremely cold conditions for 4.5 hours. His family were on Rottnest Island with the police searching for him.
Meanwhile cramped, sore and suffering from hypothermia he eventually hit the shores of the mainland, over 20kms later, at Floreat Beach at 5pm.
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Can you imagine what would have happened if strong winds were blowing off-shore, he would be in the Antarctic by now.
We all make errors when we take up a new sport. Most of us put it down to experience and learn from our mistakes and become more responsible. Occasionally though they end in fatal consequences.
I always have a nagging feeling when I sell a boat that one of my customers will not be as sensible as they should and take a kayak into a situation that could endanger their life. Thankfully this wasn’t one of our customers.
We try to give advice, we offer a free lesson and offer other training but it really does come down to each individual buying a boat to assess the situation and make sure that their skill level is up to relevant water conditions.
So when you go out next, just be sure that your skill level is appropriately matched to the water conditions. Think seriously about what you are doing.
If you ever need advice, just call me on 9378 1333
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I met local Perth paddler Josh Singleton, left and Canadian Dave Gemmell whilst in the middle of no-where walking/portaging a 25km stretch of grade 4 & 5 whitewater on the Slave River, near the small town of Fort Smith, North West Territories. Josh was on a weeks stay with Dave and were on their way to paddle some of the big rapids. It was one of those once in a million chances of meeting up.
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Win an Australis Ocky Sit-On-Top
Christmas is on the horizon so its time to have a ‘Give-A-Way’. Spend over $100.00 with Canoeing Down Under between now and December 23rd to automatically enter the draw to win an Ocky (Australian Made sit-on), paddle, paddle leash, rashie, hat, sunscreen and PFD, a total value of $850.00.
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Saturday Training
I only expected a few paddlers at the Saturday morning training considering it was the first day back but to my surprise 18 paddlers turned up. It was good to see Sharon in her new fibreglass GT Aero TK1 and Jan come down and show the guys that kayaking is just not for the men.
Saturday morning training is not only a good excuse to get fitter but you meet some great people who really enjoy kayaking. No egos, just plain fun and enjoyment mixed in with a little competition.
For all those paddlers who have just bought a kayak/ski and would like to get fitter and have some fun, why not come down.
Training starts 7.30am prompt.
Essential to bring your PFD
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Saturday Training - Anyone Can Be A Winner
Every week we will be drawing out a winner who will receive a $50.00 gift voucher. It will go to paddlers paddling plastic boats or ladies in plastic or fibreglass boats. There will also be second and third consolation prizes.
There will be a Christmas prize of a Carbon propeller paddle and padded bag worth $500.00. This prize will go to anyone that has bought a boat from us or who has spent more than $1000.00 at the shop. To go into the draw for the paddle you must have taken part in at least 6 Saturday morning sessions leading up to Christmas
$50.00 gift voucher Patrick's A Winner
The winner of the first $50.00 gift voucher is Patrick Irwin. Patrick an architect by profession, started paddling in a Finn kayak. He has been part of CDU training for several years and I well remember Patrick’s first days on white water!!!!!!! To see the improvement and the enjoyment he has received from kayaking gives me such a sense of satisfaction.. He now paddles a Down River Kayak, a Wave Hopper and a Low Deck Wizard or anything he can get his hands on.
Second prize went to Steve Wall who wins a T shirt or cap.
Third prize went to Jan Gatt who wins a cap.
Patrick in his Down River Kayak
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Island To Island Race
I wasn’t sure that I should have been taking part in the race being a pathetic man and having a slight cold but I just couldn’t resist. To make it easier I decided to paddle a K2 with Alaine. I expected that she would do all the hard work, let me lay back and allow me to have an easy time (just like she did on the Mackenzie).
After the first kilometre I realised that I couldn’t relax. Beside us was the team of mother and daughter, Jaymee and Andree Martin. Mum hadn’t paddled in a race before and they were by our sides and looking very relaxed too I might add. I wanted to hide, pretend we weren’t there or at least hope that they would capsize (such a sporting thought).
Thankfully after another 2kms they were following our tail and as we got to the half way mark they had no chance of overtaking us unless we fell in which we nearly did when a kayak ran into us. With those two girls now behind I could relax or so I thought, but there were two other girls (Samantha Pilton and Yo Joubert) in singles a few hundred metres in front, so I couldn’t possibly relax and get beaten by girls. Then, to make matters worse, ‘old’ Dave Tupling passed us.
With the shallows and beauty of Ascot Waters behind, and Alaine asking if we were actually racing, it became time to stop thinking that I may drop dead if I push too hard and start putting in some effort to show others that I was a man of conviction. Within moments after putting in more powerful strokes the boat started to inch forward and I could see that we were soon gaining on Samantha and Dave. In no time we slid between them and left them in our wake. Yo was a few hundred metres further ahead and it was my goal to pass her before the end.
As we reached Courtney Island we started to pass Yo but she hung on and it wasn’t until we nearly capsized, caused by Alaine shifting her backside that we managed to get by her. As we crossed the line we were pretty pleased with the latter half of our race and I was more than
pleased that I hadn’t collapsed from my little cold!!
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PRS Racing Ski at the Island to Island
I asked Mick Mantell if he wanted to use our demo plastic PRS ski in the Island to Island Race but he decided it wouldn’t be fair to win the race on a longer ski. So he declined. I then offered it to a relatively newcomer, Kevin Waugh to race. He went for a quick spin, liked it so off he went. Consequently he won the long plastic division by 3 minutes beating several other very good paddlers. He now holds the record. He beat Mick by 4.17 minutes, who came 4th overall.
Everyone who has tried this ski just loves it.
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Wednesday race at Ascot was a little depressing this week. There were 3 other mixed K2s in our grid and another one that went in the earlier grid. Lawrence and Sam who we beat two weeks ago took this weeks race a little more serious and paddled the fastest K2 available. The only chance that we had in beating them was the hope that they would fall in, which didn't happen and they beat us convincingly. Lawrence and Sam were gloating at the end.
Then there was Grant and little Julie who took off and were never to be seen again by any of the K2s. They went so fast and you couldn't even see Julie in the back. So our only hope of not coming last was to beat Danny and Helen but they managed to get of T2s wash and we could only see them fading into the sunset. The worse thing was, I couldn't blame Alaine for our disappointing run as it was me that was fidgeting and coughing...Bugger! But there is always next time. We are just going to have to encourage other mixed doubles to take part though we have to ensure that they'll be slower than us.
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The Spot Locator
I like promoting products that I believe in. This week, I’d like to introduce the Spot Personal Locator. This is a safety device that works exceedingly well and is within most people’s budget.
I used this product on my latest wilderness expedition in Canada. At the end of each day as I was setting up camp, I would turn the locator on and a message would be sent to a mobile phone or to an email address which would let family and friends know where I was every night. It also allowed them to check my position on Google earth.
The information below is how SPOT explains the device:-
Share your adventure with SPOT – the world’s first satellite messenger. SPOT’s unique tracking system allows you to leave a bread crumb trail where ever you are on the globe. SPOT uses GPS to calculate your exact whereabouts. You can send a message to a recipient via an email or text message or even an emergency service notification from anywhere on the globe. Weighing under 1kg, the SPOT messenger can fit into a backpack or into a pocket.
Check in. With SPOT you can activate the Check In function that enables an exact GPS calculation of your location whilst also sending a SMS text or email with your message and coordinates to friends and family with access to you account information.
Track Progress. By sending a blip out every ten minutes you can check in with
friends and family and chart your progress in real time with Google Maps™.
Waypoints and entire routes can also be saved and viewed at a later date. To
activate the Track service, an additional subscription applies.
Help can be called in a non-life threatening situation with just the press of a button on the SPOT messenger. When activated, the Help message is broadcast with GPS accuracy every five minutes for one hour or until cancelled. Your contacts will receive an SMS text message including coordinates, or an email with a link to Google Maps™ showing your exact location. 911. In a life threatening situation SPOT’s 911 emergency button will notify the public and private responders of your location along with your personal information when activated. The appropriate agencies for each region, country and for your location will be alerted when the signal is set off – these may include local police, SES or the Coast Guard.
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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.
Ken Wallace will be Canoeing WA's guest in a Coaching Clinic and Video Night on October 18, he will also be paddling the 2008 Classic Paddle on October 19.
Get down and have a great day on Sunday October 19 at the 2008 Brookfield Multiplex Classic Paddle and check out Olympic Champion Ken Wallace in action over the 12km course.
Pairs Enduro 9th November
24 Hour Marathon Rescheduled to 29 and 30 November
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Learn To Play Canoe Polo
Sunday 2nd November.
Scotch College, 76 Shenton Road, Swanbourne. 8.45am – 5.00pm.
Cost $150.00
Contact ppppeter@iinet.net.au
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Second Hand Boats
Woodpecker K1 Kayak: Very Good condition: $750.00
Riot Sea Kayak fairly good condition $900 Bargain
High Deck Wizard K1. Kevlar. Great for Avon Descent. 12kgs. $1500.00
Dominator White Water K1. Full Kevlar. Excellent Condition $1500.00
Perception Acadia: $700.00
Alaine contemplating the magnificent scenery on the Mackenzie
SAT 04/10 Race Results
Adrian (Ocean Sprinter) 20.45
Al Morbey (Excalibur) 17.29
Andre K (Spirit Racer) 18.03
Daniel Fews 21.01
Dave Tupling (Wavehopper) 18.34
Frank Paterson (Iradicator) 18.31
Guy Knowlden 19.06
Jan Gatt (Spirit Racer) 22.50 (17.37)
John Breed (Spirit Racer) 18.37
Liam Quick (Viper K1) 15.46
Martyn Theobold 21.39
Patrick Irwin (Wavehopper) 19.33
Peter (Finn Kayak) 21.42
Sean Runkle 20.41
Sharon Horne (GT Aero TK1) 21.05
Steve Pilton (Wavehopper) 17.59
Steve Wall ) Spirit Racer) 19.28
T2 Brooke (Finn Multisport) 17.17
END OF NEWSLETTER 199
T2 in training.
Pigs can fly ...... Alaine is actually paddling. The Ramparts.
