18 Boats to grid 2 is not bad, in fact there are a fair few entries overall. How's the K2 field that would be a cracker start to watch. Do the S2's start in Grid 2 or Grid 3?

Well, I read this site often, however, have never logged in. I took the unusual pseudonym of "Lawrence" just to confuse people and remain anonymous! Thanks Fiasco, "if Lawrence can do the distance" for spurring me to register and reply. Having done 4 city lights in 2h.30m-2.40m, I think I'll be there! Hoping for a bumpy Narrows section as my K2 loves it, so do I. This is the best club race on the calendar, although exhausting, fantastic to pull in to the great food, music (Andrew Winton is just great) and camaraderie at Ascot. A great idea and format from the race creator Grant Pepper, a lot of work for the race organiser(s), thanks Dave B. It's a great K2 and K3 field with a lot of depth and talent. Kudos to any who do this in a single! I'd rather be in a kayak than a boat with only a hull (ski), threw that in just to add some controversy. Have fun, stay safe, see you at the end.

It will be interesting to see who paddles a sprint K2 vs the river / Avon K2s as I can foresee the sprint K2s having dramas if the conditions are bumpy along the como foreshore.

better train a bit, then ;)

Yep, but Noah (8) and his dad aren't really paddling. I was checking the online rego process, and finding the bits left in there from last year that need an update!

No great hurry to enter, but do give it a go.

Dave, I emailed this to your event enquiries address, but thought it might also be useful having an answer on RBP. cheers, Karen

I've not done this race before. eek. And might paddle a Molokai S2 (double Fenn Elite I think). As there's no S2 listed in the craft field, I'm guessing we should register as double kayak, rather than molokai ski, but thought I'd check. (You actually might get a few double molokais in the event – there seem to be more on the water than this time last year.)

because there aren't a lot of safety crew along the route. It makes a nice change, a bit like the Pairs Enduro, where you can work each other's wake.

I'd love to see a solo category in City Lights!! If the issue is safety, make it open only to people who have done the race before, make us carry mobile phones and extra lights and wear PFDs, and make us produce a support person who promises to rescue us in case we quit (so that the organisers aren't saddled with that task). If AKC wants to keep the race primarily as a pairs race, then put all the prizes in pairs categories.

I think having a solo option would increase the number of paddlers in the event (and therefore - safety).

I may just have irrepressible faith in my inability to die, but what is the safety issue that makes this race safer in a pair? Doubles stand the same chance of getting run over by a power boat/TransPerth ferry as does a single boat. It's really hard to get lost (even for me) and the first 13km+ is in daylight anyway. You're never far away from the river bank once you get past Heirisson Island, and the last half of the race is in water so flat that it can lead to a catatomic stupor (AH! there's the danger . . .)

So, Dave, a solo category?? :-)

I think the main driver for the pairs approach is more to do with water safety, and a twilight paddle. Bolders could clarify that bit.

I kinda like the pairs approach. There are plenty of solo distance races out there already. I think this and the AKC Pairs Enduro are the only pairs races we have.

I like the idea of having to work together, and utilise wash riding skills. Some pairs even coordinate their efforts with other pairs to get small convoys happening, which can be pretty fast.

I think it also gives newer paddlers, approaching their first long distance event, a little more confidence knowing that if they team up with a more experienced paddler, they should be able to get wash assistance if/when they tire. Some also like knowing they are in a pair when venturing out into the wider expanses of the Swan that can be choppy in a SW wind. Then for those not up for the distance can enter as a team of 4.

The main suggestion I have had from others, is that they would appreciate late entry fee and enter on the day. I believe a few paddlers have missed out hoping to enter on the day. That said, it is well posted that they don't accept entries on the day, so paddlers just need to be a bit more organised up front.

The reason the race has to be done with a partner is for safety (it is a night race), so it is more than just a spurious regulation enforced by the 'kayak police'. Personally, I think it adds another dimension to an already interesting paddle (if you chose to go in a single boat) and helps encourage doubles, which is also something we need to see more of.

This is a beautiful race, it is interesting and tactical, with varied conditions the whole way, the scenery is great, and the BBQ in the end is always something. It is a race that stands out in my mind, not least because it is the first race I ever did.

Thanks for organizing it this year Dave - I am sure it will be great and I am really looking forward to it.

'Tis a fabulous race, he says unbiasedly. I shall be watching from the shore, so I can say "go" and fiddle with Excel spreadsheets. It's my express aim to have the race presentations before the winners have showered, eaten, got bored and left. Not that I'm saying that ever happens at paddling events.