Avon Recovery
For some that may be as simple as catching up on a little sleep (or a lot...). For others there may be time spent at the physio. Now is a good time to really note the difference between 'good pain' and 'bad pain'
I always found that my wrists took the longest to get better, while the general soreness through my shoulders & back went away pretty quickly.
Once you're feeling human again, and have sat down with your mates & told the stories of your Avon (and posted them in the forums!), start to think about an honest review of your race.
What did you do well in training & racing?
What could you do better next time?
Did you set your goals too high or too low?
I tended to start by setting my goals for next year, and then very soon after that start thinking about the next big event. For me this was the race from Perth to Fremantle, and it's normally held mid October, so there is plenty of time to both recover & then get going properly.
Don't fall into the trap of starting paddling too soon again after the Avon. It's 12 months until the next one! However, also don't wait too long until you start up again. I normally took anywhere between 1 & 3 weeks out of the boat, and normally spent this time either jogging or walking (just to keep some sort of fitness going). The exact time that I started paddling again depended on the level of wrist pain.
Enough from me for now; I can't wait to hear the stories, check out the photos & see the videos!
Cheers, WP.
- Great vid
9 hours 8 min ago - My speed
11 hours 51 min ago - m
18 hours 1 min ago - Cut run
20 hours 11 min ago - Cut Run
1 day 10 hours ago - LP Partner sought for City Lights
1 day 10 hours ago - Traumatic
3 days 8 min ago - and in the background
3 days 10 hours ago - spam
3 days 10 hours ago - Ouch
3 days 19 hours ago
Good shots.
Aussies did a pretty good job out there. They Got A Great Sequence of me starting right and then coming across to the middle before the big rock. It was a bit tricky and I could see why people were swimming but it was what the ASU told us to do.
aussiesinaction
nice photos as usual, but.....
Lots of people fell out at the washing machine...i mean...
Bartho...Wilkie...hewlett...
I took the left channel, on expert advice as the safe way. I thought middle would be a problem below 0.8 ( I got jammed there in 05 under an overhanging rock that becomes exposed as the level drops) Now I see that everyone simply fell over.
If I knew some more race numbers I could gawk at other peoples race
Marhsall on the right
When I went through the middle section of Emu's there was a very helpful marshal who yelled out to keep right. Of course being in the middle of the rapid and on a great line I couldn't hear her to I made the great move of twisting my body around to ask what she was talking about.
As everyone can guess I lost my "perfect" line and went straight in. Please Marshall's only yell out if there is actually a dangerous condition ahead - like a double ski blocking the entire run of moondyne. Or somebody trapped in their boat just around the corner.
All three are okay lines, right is generally smoothest on the washing machine, but you have to cut left immediately that you enter the rapid. See Robyn's website for a great series of pictures.
Robyns Emu's run
Middle at Emus was gold
There's a good photo of me (337) doing the middle channel at the Washing Machine - I reckon it was a great option. My crew was there and thought 80% fell in (lots of plastics though; my crew was new and may not appreciate the sit-on v kayak differences yet).
count me in...
me too please. I'm contemplating next year's Avon campaign (I like to start about a year out) and wondering if I really want to use one of my long plastics or go to something lighter... so a chance to try other boats (whilst the peanut gallery heckles) sounds great :-)
Peanuts
Everyone loves a peanut.
Boat testing
I like the idea, especially since I am toying with the idea to switch from ski to kayak. I'd like to try a fast kayak and see if I can actually stay in it!
Avon Photos
FYI
I have found three sites that are going to (not yet) post Avon photos:
www.aussiesinaction.com.au (Wed afternoon)
www.bengordonphotography.com.au
www.samtomkinson.com
And some more here
http://jhassell.smugmug.com/Sports
And well done on finishing your first Avon, Danger!
About the middle of your class is a great first effort. Didn't finish my first Avon, got about where you did in my second, and was 37th overall in my third (albeit in a composite K1), so substantial improvements are there to be had!
:-D
Thanks for that!
It's my snowboarding helmet actually, which the scrutineer was very impressed with at the time. It's perfect though, as it has covers for the ears and a soft lining that keeps me warm too.
Am absolutely focused on coming in the top 40% next year.
I lost 15 minutes on day 1 from stopping to refill my hydration bladder and about the same amount emptying it too (still can't start the flow while paddling if you get my drift) so there's something easy that I can work on the save some time.
Dangerman revealed!
Photo 2 or 7, depending on which photo-set. Nice specs, but is that your motorcycle helmet, Danger?
Dangerman revealed!
Photo 2 or 7, depending on which photo-set. Nice specs, but is that your motorcycle helmet, Danger? ;)
Boat Testing
I think cosying up to CDU or someone to hold one, and we all rock up to it, would work better than testing each other's boats. I dunno about anyone else, but the footpegs on my Multi are jammed...so anyone under 6'2 has no chance of being able to steer her. :)
You could always.....
Get a ski?
*runs and hides*
Bad idea
1) Sit on/sit in isn't the issue, carrying capacity for an Endorfinn should be the same as a Multisport.
2) I'd have to kill myself in shame. :)
Changing craft
I'm feeling like I want to paddle something different from my tank of a Multisport next year....and SP looks so gosh-darn cute in his Wavehopper that a return to the short plastic class might be on the cards. Does anyone know if they have a recommended weight limit for the tubby bugger inside?
Edit: Perception's site says 90kg....thoughts?
RBP Boat Testing Day
How's this for an idea;
Any one interested if RBP organised its own 'come and try' day?
If there is interest I'll approach the suppliers & see if they can get some boats along.
Maybe the Phantom could even show off his sausage sizzle skills at the same time?
Cheers, WP.
Boat Testing Day
sounds good to me but Canoeing Downunder (preferred supplier as he stocks all boat brands and types) and other suppliers already offer boat testing so if we want to test a boat we can tap into what is already on offer.
Alternatively we could all rock up with our different boats and try each others.
The best part could be Phantoms cooking skills??
SP
Boat Testing Thoughts
How about if we were able to bring along more than just the regular boats? Maybe a quick K2, one of the CWA's K4's & some of the new K1's? If we then also brought down some of the range of plastics then people may be able to get an idea of the full range of boats. (+ the Phantom's BBQ skills...)
Let me know if you're interested.
Cheers, WP.
The Weight Debate
Sorry guys, I have to weigh in to this debate...
Your 'wet' weight (inc wet suit, PDF, drink system, water in the bottom of the boat etc etc etc) is always a good 10% more than your dry weight. So don't select a boat (volume) based on your dry weight unless you're going to race it dry.
Also consider that the non-saline water of the Avon is ~ 3% less bouyant than salt, so you'll need some extra bouyancy in your craft if you want to do an Avon.
This is why you see some old school K2's doing really well in the low years ( eg 'Avon-3' K2's), as they have HEAPS of volume.
Cheers, WP.
Weight
By all means, weigh on in WP. The problem is I'm coming from the wrong end of the scale - I'm 6'4" and 120+kg in my undies, so my 'wet' weight is pretty fearsome....as anyone who I've run into with my 30kg Multi will attest. :) Calculating my wet weight just makes it an even less attractive proposition to drive a short boat.
Now that I think about it, that actually makes getting a lighter Multi less significant. Dropping 10kg off my combined weight by changing boat only reduces it by 5-6%, whereas for a 70kg person it'd be more like 10-11%. So is there an 'ideal' boat for the giants among us, or do we just paddle whatever and try to make up for it in power?
120kg+kg in my undies
Juffy, I would suggest new undies
Heavy Undies and Light Boats
My undies way in some 15kg less but I am also faced with being on the heavier end of the weight scale for kayaks.
My boat (yellow composite Lettman) does appear to carry the weight well on flat water. In the rapids and in rough water it goes beautifully until I start running out of water depth then it makes for a pretty fragile crowbar.
This makes for expensive repair bills as per my Avon campaign (target:to finish) quite expensive in a composite boat.
The problem with most of the plastic skis and kayaks is that they are also designed for lighter folk. So I will now start pondering the choice of boat for next year based on the fact that it won't be my flatwater boat.
I bet the water levels and conditions change in mockery of my choices. So I am in the same boat!!
Apparently people really enjoy wash riding behind me!
Lighter Undies
Hey Mike,
For the Avon I lost about 4-5kgs over 3 weeks (last minute sign up) just by cutting 95% of sugar from my diet (too many morning tea biscuits).
We were talking about it when it came to boats, my composite DR weighs in around 15kg and cost initially around $700 2nd hand. How much money does a good quality descent capable boat cost that is around 10kg?
For me cutting out the bickies probably saved me around $2000-$3000. I figure lose another 5kg (for me) will be equivalent of jumping into an ultra light boat!
Carbon undies?
So where do you buy these ultralight undies, mike? :)
WP - colour me interested for sure, and my better half would probably be in as well.
Ultralight jocks = speed
Before you carbon jocks !! (pardon the pun) get too excited I was referring to a weight of person some 15kg less than 120kg i.e. 105kg.
Big fellas, Big boats
Have you thought about the sea kayak angle? Admittedly not a nippy craft for the Ti-trees or tight rapids but sounds like they can be strong enough, and quick enough as below.
Over on Robyn's Canoeing WA site there are some stories from 6'8 135 kg Fitzy http://members.iinet.net.au/~rokhor/canoe/fitzyavon05.html and his Eco-Bezhig sea kayak.
I saw one of these in this years race steaming along, looked more than do-able except maybe for the rudder which looked a bit too deep running and maybe a bit fragile.
kg+kg
I would suggest a new algebra teacher. :p
weight- the solution
You get a longer boat. One that will sit on its proper waterlength with your considerable person on board. Benefit is that it will go quick on the flat, Disadvantage is it will be sticky in the trees.
ps, I'm getting to where I couldn't lose another 10kg. (65) It took me 5 years to lose the last 10
wavehopper
Big Al Moreby paddles a hopper but. Not ideal though.
Anyway, hoppers are just shorter fatter heavier dr boats. Lots of folk never progress from them but those that do don't go back. The kilos do make a difference. Losing my spare paddle and 10 litres of water from my boat at the Upper Swan Bridge support made it feel like a sprint boat in comparison. For a little while, then it strated to hurt again.
Wavehopper
I know Big Al did some heating and stretching around the cockpit - I think so he could get his looong legs inside
SP
Changing Craft
With the hopper I think the lighter the better (faster) yes the maker does say 90kg limit. If you are heavier the boat sits lower in the water and you take on more water as you lean it to turn. Sorry big fella I think you may be over the limit and you would be disappointed with the change
What about a lighter weight Multisport I have heard they are faster than the tank
SP
Just a bit heavier...
Umm...yeah. I reckon I could get down to 90kg if I chopped a leg off, but that might make it harder to steer. I could maybe get as light as 105kg if I really worked at it, but I'd compromise my strength to do it.
May come down to getting a new Multi - seems to be the only kayak big enough for people like me. Thanks SP. :)