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W. A.   P A D D L I N G   N E W S ,  M A Y ,    2 0 0 4

Week 1/May Canning River Canoe Club Time Trials These friendly races are ongoing on Thursday evenings, 6pm. Do 4 laps of a course which is mainly between Shelley and Riverton bridges. Juniors wanting to have a go can do a short course. Everyone is welcome. Results to date are <http://www.iinet.net.au/~rokhor/canoe/crcc.html>here. More enquiries: UWA Paddle Challenge A major event on the canoeing calendar - Sunday, May 23. It's open to ALL craft - main race is 18km paddle, Bayswater to Caversham, for individuals and corporate teams. Finish line and presentations are at picturesque Sandalford Winery. As well, there's several other races with great prizes as below: Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) Cup Guppy Challenge for 8-13 yr olds, teams of 3, 2km each paddler - Guppy Kayak, Perth Kayak Centre Junior Relay, team of 4 - Gizmo sit-on-top, Finn Kayaks Schools Relay, team of 4 - CTR sit-on-top, Spirit Paddle Sports  Entry form is <http://www.canoewa.asn.au/comingevents/coming%20events%20menu.html>available online or from your local canoeing outlet or the <mailto:canoe@canoewa.asn.au>canoeing association at Sports Lotteries House, Challenge Stadium, Claremont, or phone Garth Civil, Event Coordinator, 9285 8501 or 0412 602 013. Fun! Fun! Fun! Just a handfull of Perth paddlers made the effort to participate in this friendly and heaps of fun weekend at Albany. We won a swag of medals( which is very good for the ego!) and paddled to the site of the dive wreck, HMAS Perth, the mast of which is above the water, in the scenic bays of the Albany coastline. Our thanks to Albany Canoe Club for their hospitality. We encourage all paddlers to 'have a go' next year! (<http://members.iinet.net.au/~rokhor/canoe/images/snakewaych.jpeg>click here to see who I bumped into whilst exploring one of the beauty spots!) Ramon Andersson Be Active Coaching Clinic Paddlers of all ages & skill levels are invited to attend a coaching clinic for Marathon & Sprint Racing, Avon Descent & Surf Skis. Saturday May 15 2004, 9 am - 12.30pm at WAIS Canoeing Boat Shed, near Garratt Rd Bridge Bayswater. Registrations close May 14 2004 o Technique including Video Analysis o Training Methods and Programming o Diet & Nutrition o Race Preparation $30 per person paid on the day Register with Ramon, ph 0407 426 596 or 9379 1285 or <mailto:ramon@eon.net.au>ramon@eon.net.au . Places will be limited so be early! (For the info' of those new to paddling: Ramon is an Olympic medallist and World Champion paddler). Huw Kingston paddles the Franklin Fundraising marathon paddler, cyclist and walker (City 2 City) still on his way to Hobart, writes of his magical descents of the Franklin and Gordon rivers in Tasmania. Read it <http://www.iinet.net.au/~rokhor/canoe/huwtasfrank.html>here.

Week 2/May  Walyunga National Park - from Steve Strachan, Ranger "Work to be carried out: due to facility upgrade and for public safety the entire (lower) picnic area and car park will be closed to the public until work is complete - about eight weeks. Canoeists and the public are asked to be patient. The Boongarup (upper) car park is still available and the ranger asks that access to the river be via a designated track and for canoeists not to just bush bash their own tracks to the river." (You will still be able to paddle on the river and disembark at the small beach near the wooden water level gauge, but must keep out of the taped area. Parking is permitted on the road verge, but please only use designated tracks to access the river - NO BUSH BASHING! (unless you're a kangaroo). Down Under Down River paddler Ben Mercer is WA representative on Australian Down River team, currently touring in Europe for the world championships and about to start competition.  <http://www.iinet.net.au/~rokhor/canoe/benmerc1.html>Read his 30th April letter home Dramatic Front Page Pic <http://www.iinet.net.au/~rokhor/canoe/index.html>Check it out. Thank you . . . to those canoeing and outdoor businesses which support this website, most recently Mountain Designs, but also Canoeing Down Under, Capricorn Kayak Tours, Explorer Boat Hire (Guilderton), Finn Kayaks, Ian Garthwaite (plastic boat repairs), KJ's Watersports, Mandurah Sportz, Perth Kayak Centre and Rivergods. Alive,Well and Kicking! The huge turnout at the John Sims Race (over 100 paddlers) augurs well for our local canoeing, but also meant hard work on the day for timekeepers. From Burky (aka. Paul Burke): "Due to a small problem on the start some results on the day were wrong and some classes were mixed up therefore Ladies 45+ K1 class is now included in these results. Many apologies for not recognising this class on the day. Bevan Dashwood's time has also been amended and the class re-sorted. Plastics have also been rechecked and sorted correctly." <http://www.iinet.net.au/~rokhor/canoe/johnsimsresu04.html>See final official results here. Wildwater Series 2004 Calendar First race is this Saturday, 8th May at Ascot Kayak Club. This is the obstacle course race - two times round the course. Rego is 1-1:30pm. The revised calendar has been published and is available from your canoe club or <http://www.iinet.net.au/~rokhor/canoe/wwcal04.html>here. Of course much of this series is dependent on rainfall and there may need to be further changes - so check details again closer to the date of white water races. Sponsored by Canoeing Down Under. Car Shuffles If you need to organise a car shuffle for events that start and finish at different locations or can help out someone else just send your details and I will add to "WA News Page" of website. (<mailto:%20rokhor@iinet.net.au> rokhor@iinet.net.au ) Avon Descent Teams Now that it's much easier to form a team with the new rules the organisers are anticipating heaps more entries. So if you're looking for a white water paddler or a flat water paddler or . . . whatever, or if you're available to join a team send in your details and that can be advertised as well. ( rokhor@iinet.net.au ) Makes Life Easier! New at Canoeing Down Under is an easily installed boat rack for wall or suport poles. It's suitable for most kayaks, skis, sit-ons and surfboards. Just fix with large screws supplied. It also has hooks for paddle and spray deck. More info 9378 1333. $68.00 Ascot Online from John Mulcahy - <http://members.iinet.net.au/~ascotkay/>http://members.iinet.net.au/~ascotkay/ "Our website is back on and running albeit in need of a decent webmaster. Anything that you want put up there just e-mail to me and I'll post it up": <mailto:mulch@bigpond.net.au>mulch@bigpond.net.au UWA Paddle Challenge 23rd May, 18km from Garratt Road to Sandalford Winery and more - entries close, 14th May Rod Fry Results - from Cara MacNish The full list of results is now available from http://www.csse.uwa.edu.au/~cara/rodfry.html (results are in pdf format). Apologies for the delay.

Week 3/May White Water Park Launch - Friends of White Water Park (FOWWP) You are invited to a meeting for a special announcement regarding the proposed White Water Park and also the launch of a major campaign to get one in Western Australia. This is an important meeting for anyone who would like to be able to paddle, raft or body board in white water in Perth, all year round. It is also an important meeting for canoe polo players. Please bring friends who may be interested in canoeing, rafting or body boarding in white water. Details Monday 17th May, 7.30 pm, Lecture Theatre, Challenge Stadium, Stephenson Ave, Mt Claremont Repeated: Monday 24th May, 7.30 pm. Venue to be advised. (In the Belmont, Bayswater area). Walyunga National Park - from Steve Strachan, Senior Ranger "The improvements to the lower picnic area (announced last week) include terraces, paved pathways, reticulated grass areas, new picnic furniture and an upgrade of gas barbecues. The works have been designed to create a safe, universal access site. During the period of the works a reduced fee of $3 per car will be charged for entry into Walyunga. A reminder that the speed limit in the Park is only 40 km/hour from the "STOP" sign in and 60 km/hour from the stop sign ticket hut out. A request from the Ranger: please make sure all energy bar wrappers and energy drink containers are taken out with you and not left in the car park." Save Money Once the water starts flowing white water paddlers and Avon paddlers should purchase an Annual Park Pass (either "All Parks", $51, or "Local Park: Walyunga - Avon Valley", $17) to save heaps on normal entry fees to Walyunga. They're obtainable at Walyunga or else arrange by phone and credit card: CALM, 9334 0333. Slalom Tour of New Zealand Congratulations and well done to Tiki Ewing (Swan Canoe Club) and Robin Jeffery (Ascot Kayak Club), members of the Australian Junior Slalom Development Team that competed at the New Zealand National Slalom and Whitewater Championships at Lake Tekapo in April, as well as at the New Zealand Schools Slalom and Whitewater Championships at Wanaka. The Australian juniors did extremely well. Tiki won a first, two seconds and a third place in five events, while Robin won five firsts and three second places in nine events. He was the top Australian athlete on the tour. Slalom Winter Series Starts This Weekend Be at Hester Park, 9am this Sunday, 16th May, for registration. in the first of six races over the winter months. Earn points towards your final placing in the series. Sponsored by Mainpeak Paddlesports. Slalom racing always requires volunteers to help judge gates, assist with registration or with compiling. If you can help, or know someone who can, please contact Margie Jeffery 9293 1909 or <mailto:artgraph@iinet.net.au>artgraph@iinet.net.au Improve Your Paddling Technique Due to popular demand Ramon Andersson is running a second paddling clinic this Saturday, May 15, 1pm - 4.30pm at Garratt Road Bridge, Bayswater, cost $30. To register email Ramon at <mailto:ramon@eon.net.au>ramon@eon.net.au or call 0407 426 596. This is in addition to the morning session, 9am. Waychinicup National Park Sea kayakers get to visit the best coastal scenery: go <http://members.iinet.net.au/~rokhor/canoe/waych04.html>here to see a beauty spot down Albany way. It's also a safe landing/take off place with no surf to negotiate with normal seas. Wanted Dagger Transition Kayak - please contact Joel 0411 821 109 or <mailto:joel_ferguson@bankwest.com.au>joel_ferguson@bankwest.com.au

Week 4/May Proposed White Water Park A cross section of the paddling community and others attended the official launch of the 'White Water Park for Perth' campaign on Monday night at Challenge Stadium. Go <http://www.whitewaterperth.org.au>here to find out all about this exciting proposal (Whitewater Perth website). The Department of Sport and Recreation has just called for expressions of interest from the private sector for the project, to be built at Armadale. Enquiries regarding the park should be directed to: <mailto:info@whitewaterperth.org.au>info@whitewaterperth.org.au Become a Friend of the White Water Park Show your support for this project by <http://www.whitewaterperth.org.au>registering your name on the website (it's free). You will help it to happen! Get three of your friends to become 'Friends of the White Water Park' as well! Next White Water Park Meeting Last Monday night's launch will be repeated next Monday night, 24th May, 7.30 pm, Redcliffe Park Community Centre, Cnr Morgan Rd & Field Ave., Redcliffe, for those who could not attend earlier this week. All are welcome. Letter Home Ben Mercer, our West Oz representative, writes more to us about his and the Aussie team's practice sessions on the down river course in Europe whilst preparing for the World Championship. <http://www.iinet.net.au/~rokhor/canoe/benmerc2.html>Read it here.  Plastic Boat Repairs Contact Ian Garthwaite of Swan Canoe Club for reliable plastic boat repairs - 9448 1452 h Avon Water Level Keep checking the <http://www.iinet.net.au/~rokhor/canoe/waterlevind.html>Water and Rivers Commission website as the rains continue to fall. At the weekend the level was about 10.8m at Great Northern Highway. We checked out Bell's and the water had started to flow but only just - most rocks were high and dry. All the logs at Upper Swan ti-trees aren't covered until the water level is about 11.3m (Great Northern Highway, WRC website). This is too low for most paddlers at Walyunga or Bell's (or the valley, of course) but novices might want to check out Walyunga when the river gets to that level. Kayaking in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam Watch "Getaway", Channel 9, 7:30pm on Thursday, 27th May, for a segment of the show on a paddling trip on crystal clear waters amongst towering limestone outcrops, swimmming and exploring the caves and grottos. If there are paddlers who might be interested in joining a group to paddle this gourgeous and interesting place please email <mailto:rokhor@iinet.net.au>me for more info'. All gear is supplied. There's also cycling and trekking available as an add-on. Best time to go would be September-October-November. Wanted Double ski, plastic or fibreglass for Avon Descent. Contact Jane: 0402 323 911 EndorFinn any condition. Contact Louis 0414 686 547 Dancer, phone John, 9592 5808 or 0411 083 687

Week 5/May  Are you a FOWWP yet? Don't forget to <http://www.whitewaterperth.org.au/>sign on as a Friend of the White Water Park - it's free and you will be supporting this exciting project. Can you get three friends to join you? In the first week there's been a great start - over 750 have signed on - but there's a long way to go to reach the goal of 10,000 FOWWPs. Upper Canning DR paddlers may be interested to know that on Tuesday Hester Park and upstream had plenty of water with all the logs covered. Compared to last year there's a bit more vegetation here and there, one or two new trees down but the way was open. For those who just like to go for a leisurely paddle it's very pretty at present. The waterbirds are enjoying all the water as well! The Fat Lady Has Sung! Huw Kingston completed his Melbourne2Hobart fundraising marathon paddle, cycle & walk. Read about the last stage <http://www.iinet.net.au/~rokhor/canoe/huwtashob.html>here. UWA Paddle Challenge Results are <http://www.canoewa.asn.au/raceresults/UWA%202004/UWAresults2004.pdf>here. From Nicole Orton, Canning River Canoe Club Canning River Canoe Club will not be holding a Time Trial this Thursday, 27th May, due to the Scouts needing the area. Albany Canoe Club social paddling calendar . . . has been updated to end of August: read it <http://www.iinet.net.au/~rokhor/canoe/albanycc.html>here. Northern visitors (with appropriate skills for the trip) are welcome on their club paddles. Just let them know you're coming. Want to know more about paddling in Vietnam? Scott from World Expeditions is giving a slide evening and talk about adventuring in Indo-China, including the Ha Long Bay Kayaking which will be shown on "Getaway" this Thursday night. The slide evening is on Tuesday, 1st June, 6pm, in the city (it's free). You need to book with Scott 9486 9899 or <mailto:scott@worldexpeditions.com.au>scott@worldexpeditions.com.au If you're interested in joining a group of paddlers from Perth to go to Ha Long Bay later in the year please email Robyn, <mailto:rokhor@iinet.net.au>rokhor@iinet.net.au For Sale Canoe/kayak trailer (carries 6 Canadians or as many kayaks or sea kayaks you wish to secure) licensed, single axle, $350. Located at Stoneville. Phone Jeff on 0428 941 566. Event Reminder Sunday, 30th May: Down River Series Race 2, The Drain Race - all welcome:-) plastics, sundries and of course DRs - Registration 8 - 8:30 am. Meet at Hester Park, Langford.

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