Avon Descent 08 – Massive Water, Broken Boats and Sarson says NO to Wallaby Bashing!!
The 2008 Avon Descent was one to write into the history books with record water levels producing record times and a record number of broken boats!
Records tumbled
Records were smashed in this year's Avon Descent as high water levels and quick flowing torrents made for fast times. Closures in certain areas because of high water prevented athletes from paddling under Katrine Bridge and the right side of the river at Syds Rapid.
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In the single ski category, Brendan Sarson completed the event in a record seven hours, 34 minutes and 20 seconds, being the fastest individual single craft ever (apart from the teams section). This was an awesome effort from Brendon. His effort was on a single Hayden Molokai ski - not only did he smash the record but he also prevented the South African Avon Wallaby bashing we have received in recent years. Brendon's record could potentially stand for over 25 years going on past times.
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Barry Lewin set a new record in the K1, completing the grueling 133km course in seven hours, 53 minutes and 33 seconds, nearly 20min behind Sarson.
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In the two-man team category, Clint Pretorius (K1) and Ash Nesbit (me, single ski) broke the record by nearly 1 hour with a time of seven hours, 30 minutes and 39 seconds. We were first across the line and were the fastest single craft team ever in the event's 30 year history. The Thiess/Kentz team overcame dramas on the first day with Ash needing to be helped out of a sticky situation from Barry Lewin in the Ti Trees section of the river. Barry was awarded a prize called the Knight of the River for his sacrifice to help Ash. This prize hasn't been awarded for 5 years... Good on yer, Barry Lewin!!
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Michael Baker broke the 2007 record for a single long plastic Ski coming in at eight hours, seven minutes and 36 seconds. Michael's new Spirit Plastic ski was turning some heads in the event and would seem to have turned the plastic market on its head with this new speedy innovation in ocean racing plastic skis.
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The first female competitor to cross the finish line in a single long plastic ski was Jenni Batemen who also set a record of nine hours, 23 minutes and 48 seconds.
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It should also be noted that now a Double Ski, a Single Ski and a Team 2 of Kayak / Ski hold the fastest times down the river for all double and single craft!!
http://www.thewest.com.au/multimedia/WAN%20ONLINE/mm1/Galleries/avon.flash
"Most Successful Avon Descent in Years"
Race spokesman Gerry Gannon said he believed this year's Avon Descent had been the most successful in the event's history with record times, record crowds, fine weather, few injuries and a standard number of withdrawals. Gannon said there had been one case of reported hypothermia and several cases of bruises and abrasions. There were 60 withdrawals from the event (due either to broken craft or tiredness) out of 800 competitors.
The 2008 Multiplex Avon Descent was a huge success and credit must go to the Northam's Avon Descent Association and Royal Life Saving WA in particular Hugh Singe and Lisa Lilleyman for the tireless efforts in organization of this massive event.
If you are interested in this awesome event contact:
Royal Life Saving WA http://www.lifesavingwa.com.au/ or Greg Tate - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Hugh Singe This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Photos courtesy of http://www.aussiesinaction.com.au/
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[Editor: Ash wrote this postscript about his Ti Tree climbing incident at my insistence - and confirms my aversion to river paddling!]
Drama in the Ti Trees... Saved by the knight of the river!!
This is the full story of Barry Lewin saving... (helping) Ash Nesbit.
We were 2.5 hrs into the race on day 1, Clint Pretorius had split the field up in the previous leg; big Baz was starting to hurt ; the team of 4 had been well and truly dropped and Brendon Sarson was 2 or 3 minutes back.
We were the first paddle craft into the Ti Trees; the first 10 minutes of the trees went as smooth as a baby's bottom... but the next 10 to 20min was a different story!
He who hesitates...
Baz was following me through the trees and it was an absolute maze. We had paddled the same course 3 days before, but the river had risen by .5 of a metre and this meant we were now paddling through the tops of the trees. We couldn't see the channels on the other side of the trees - and it was causing me some concern.
We came to a section which I knew - but the normal path was closed so... I decided to take the path on the right of the river but quickly realised this was wrong, I hesitated back to the left but it was too late, I needed to continue my line as the river was moving very, very fast.
He who hesitates comes off 2nd best. That hesitation and indecision meant the trees moved in on me very quickly and I couldn't get my boat around quick enough... sure as bear shits in the woods I was stuck, I needed to get off my ski quickly before the water pressure started push it under. I hung on a tree and lifted my ski slightly so it didn't go under, but I couldn't stand so I was going to struggle to get myself and the boat out in piece!
"I'm stuck!"
Baz was 30 to 40m metres back and also came to the right hand side where I was stuck... I called "Baz, I'm stuck, can you help?"... and without any hesitation Barry paddled to shallow water, secured his boat and paddle, walked out into the deeper water where he could reach the nose of my boat. He grabbed the hand hold and proceeded to pull me and my boat out of a very, very Ti Treey situation!!
While all this was going on (4- 5min) we could hear the other competitors' support crews telling them to stay left because the right was closed in and we were stuck!! Not only did Barry and I waste time during the rescue, but the right hand side of the river proved to be a major mistake costing us maybe another 3 - 4min before we could get out and back into the main channel.
Knight of the River
Barry Lewin was awarded the prestigious "Knight of the River" award and he helped me at personal cost to his race... if it wasn't for my stuff up, I'm sure Barry would have taken a 3 -4min lead on Brendon Sarson into day 2....who knows what would have happened then??
Thanks Baz for being my mate, I won't ever forget that gesture, I hope I am in the right place at the right time to help you if you ever need it!!