I should have listened !!!
As a novice to the sport and the Descent, I thought all the "hype" over no water was from all the seasoned paddlers who had been spoilt over the years and it couldn't be that bad....
What a mistake...Yes it is hurting even to use the keyboard to type this !
After the first portage at Northam weir, and then another 10 metres further and another, and yes thos who did it know how the story wnet for the first day. I made the cut off times all the way for the first day. I have never, never undertaken anything so physically exhausting in my life. Some of the muscles that hurt, I had no idea were there ! I lost about 15 - 20 minutes during day 1 for 3 vomit stops.. Yes and that hurt as well !
I drove home to spa and sleep ( great plan ). When I laid in bed i thought there was no way I would do that again tomorrow, but on I went. Straight into trees within 50 metres. I made the first timer and missed bells by 17 minutes....
The dissappointment is still there as my intention was to finish regardless, but for my first time I think it was ok....
WHAT I HAVE LEARNT ;
Listen to those who have competed before !
Train with food and drink as you will on race day!
Face it, it is going to hurt !
NEVER DO IT WHEN THE WATER IS THAT LOW !
Thanks to the RBP website, I have learnt heaps from everyones comments on here, Just a shame that I didn't take it all on board, or I may n ot have lost time on day 1....
Mozza !
Listening and reading
Well, like Mozza above, I am/was a novice of the 2010 hiyak (hiking with a kayak). I am by no means a seasoned paddler, but owning an Endorfinn for some years now I somehow finished 2010. 16hrs 4mins
It was with thanks to quite a bit of training, in particular cross training that meant I could get on off and run with tow line through the shallows.
My red #777 sit-on is not looking scratched and maybe even a bit more bendy, but proved a good balance of manourverable and speed (I passed lots of PRS and Molokai's in the tight sections and lifted each other through the pools). By no means experienced the recently learnt leaning, edging, and sweep steer brace strokes (CDU saturday sessions) made a huge difference in selecting lines, pick wrong and you stop.
One thing I did learn for the shallower rapids that could help others. Paddle hard leading up to the shallow rapid, then glide and ride your own bow wave through. It gave me 50mm more water and could glide passed the people stopped part way down. Once at the bottom you smile, then shovel throught the next and battle on.
Enough of a rant here, but thanks must go out to all the experienced that are prepared to share their information.
As a final note, i'll be back for another, it'll be heaps more fun if there's just a bit more water (so if you didn'y finish and you're reading this, give it another crack). See you at Nanga Challenge, Blackwood or Anaconda.
Cheers,
Mike