The Avon Descent Western Australia

SleepMonsters Australia / 24.07.2005

However this can depend on the river level, either way the last 30 odd is still flat.

This years race has attracted record entries with 846 participants, the majority of which will be doing it the hard way (in a kayak) although if you have had chance to see the event in the media this could be argued. The race has attracted paddlers from around the world, and is a favorite with the locals of WA.
The race consists of 8 stages done over 2 days, 56km on day 1 and 78km on day 2. For a full course description click here.

For the serious paddler the fun starts on day 2 and the 56km on day 1 just gets you to that starting point with the exception of Extracts weir and the Ti trees on day 1 there isn’t much else to test you, but I can say if the water is low that first 56km will really test you as there will be a multitude of shallows to contest as well as a good portage around extracts and then the maize of Ti trees to negotiate. Thankfully due to the judicious use industrial grade pruners the latter task has been made a bit easier in recent years, although this sort of act is by no means condoned. The river can vary vastly from year to year, I have seen the river at a level where the Ti trees were not visible and the road at Katrine bridge had been level with the river, in such conditions certain sections can be very hazardous and extra care has to be taken, none the less white water experience is essential for this race. This can be tested pretty well on day 2 with the river leaving the open farmland behind and heading into some spectacular countryside with rapids such as Emus, Bells, and Syds to contend with.