A few mates paddled it last weekend. The course starts off fairly narrow with a fair number of logs
blocking the way. After 400 metres or so it widens out. Very easy paddle. No whitewater, unless the dam
is running, and it should be on race day. When we paddled it it was down 30cm on the inland side with a
1 metre drop on the other side. From there it is about a km to the ocean. The chute to the sea is fairly
easy but has a lot of limestone rocks that were fairly obvious at low tide. You couldn't paddle all the way to the water. Stick to the right to avoid the rocks. At high tide and with more water in the river these
may not be visible. There isn't a lot to be gained by paddling the chute but it may be fun. If you have a
glass boat I would probably get out and walk cos of the rocks.
The paddle out through the surf isn't too bad but once again depends on the swell. It can break a fair way
out in a reasonable swell. Go down to the river mouth, there is a carpark about 100 metres up from the mouth, pre race and check out the swell.
The winds are predicted to be light southerly, which should be slightly offshore at peppie beach, with a
slight headwind as you head along the beach. If there is no swell you could paddle a kayak, but if there
is a swell a ski is probably a better option. You will probably get out but the mouth is local surf spot
with a reef break that breaks 80 to a 100 metres out in a swell. The shore break is not to viscious.
Hope that helps.
Should be great fun.
Hi, I'm the event organiser for the Capel Descent and paddle this course a couple of times per month all year round.
The River Mouth for most of the year involves walking over a sand bar. When the river flows it punches through pretty much straight away and is a nice smooth (sometimes quick) run out into the ocean.
The only difficulties arise from any ocean swell as the extra speed pushing you out can make it interesting as you go over the waves.
You can check out the website www.capeldescent.com for a description of the course. This is the inaugural running of the event so we'll have to wait and see if it becomes a regular event.
If anyone has any specific questions I'm more than happy to answer them if I can.
Onya Peter for responding, and for putting on this event.
How's are going for entries? Do you want to push it more this week or you you happy with the turnout for the inaugural year?
Initially we were hoping for about 50 competitors. The number now stands at 91 so we're pretty happy (absolutely stoked) with this as our first attempt. What has really been encouraging is all the positive feedback from local paddlers who have never been on this River before despite being so close.
We can easily cope with more paddlers on the river. Our biggest concern is traffic management and parking. So long as everyone is patient and takes it easy there shouldn't be any problems even with much larger numbers. We are using private property for all of our River access and need to look after these land owners so we can run the event again next year.
It's also been good to see a couple of paddlers who have finished in the top 10 in class for the Avon entered which will give us a really good idea of how quick this can be done. The other great thing to see is the number of kids entered along with the number of father/daughter and father/son doubles. This is awesome as familys are seeing the value of this sport.
Really looking forward to seeing some Perth guys heading down our way. Hopefully the event will run smoothly, the rain falls during the week, and Sunday will be fine and sunny... Not too much to ask
Cheers and thanks again to all the people who have been sending positive messages and feedback.
A few mates paddled it last
A few mates paddled it last weekend. The course starts off fairly narrow with a fair number of logs
blocking the way. After 400 metres or so it widens out. Very easy paddle. No whitewater, unless the dam
is running, and it should be on race day. When we paddled it it was down 30cm on the inland side with a
1 metre drop on the other side. From there it is about a km to the ocean. The chute to the sea is fairly
easy but has a lot of limestone rocks that were fairly obvious at low tide. You couldn't paddle all the way to the water. Stick to the right to avoid the rocks. At high tide and with more water in the river these
may not be visible. There isn't a lot to be gained by paddling the chute but it may be fun. If you have a
glass boat I would probably get out and walk cos of the rocks.
The paddle out through the surf isn't too bad but once again depends on the swell. It can break a fair way
out in a reasonable swell. Go down to the river mouth, there is a carpark about 100 metres up from the mouth, pre race and check out the swell.
The winds are predicted to be light southerly, which should be slightly offshore at peppie beach, with a
slight headwind as you head along the beach. If there is no swell you could paddle a kayak, but if there
is a swell a ski is probably a better option. You will probably get out but the mouth is local surf spot
with a reef break that breaks 80 to a 100 metres out in a swell. The shore break is not to viscious.
Hope that helps.
Should be great fun.
Capel Descent
Hi, I'm the event organiser for the Capel Descent and paddle this course a couple of times per month all year round.
The River Mouth for most of the year involves walking over a sand bar. When the river flows it punches through pretty much straight away and is a nice smooth (sometimes quick) run out into the ocean.
The only difficulties arise from any ocean swell as the extra speed pushing you out can make it interesting as you go over the waves.
You can check out the website www.capeldescent.com for a description of the course. This is the inaugural running of the event so we'll have to wait and see if it becomes a regular event.
If anyone has any specific questions I'm more than happy to answer them if I can.
Cheers
Peter
Onya
Onya Peter for responding, and for putting on this event.
How's are going for entries? Do you want to push it more this week or you you happy with the turnout for the inaugural year?
Capel Descent Entries
Initially we were hoping for about 50 competitors. The number now stands at 91 so we're pretty happy (absolutely stoked) with this as our first attempt. What has really been encouraging is all the positive feedback from local paddlers who have never been on this River before despite being so close.
We can easily cope with more paddlers on the river. Our biggest concern is traffic management and parking. So long as everyone is patient and takes it easy there shouldn't be any problems even with much larger numbers. We are using private property for all of our River access and need to look after these land owners so we can run the event again next year.
It's also been good to see a couple of paddlers who have finished in the top 10 in class for the Avon entered which will give us a really good idea of how quick this can be done. The other great thing to see is the number of kids entered along with the number of father/daughter and father/son doubles. This is awesome as familys are seeing the value of this sport.
Really looking forward to seeing some Perth guys heading down our way. Hopefully the event will run smoothly, the rain falls during the week, and Sunday will be fine and sunny... Not too much to ask
Cheers and thanks again to all the people who have been sending positive messages and feedback.
Peter Pavlinovich