Avon Descent: Bumper rainfall brought fast-flowing ride for competitors in Northam

Bumper winter rains made for an exhilarating Avon Descent for competitors and spectators alike — with rapidly-rising water levels attracting last-minute competitors.

Northam Avon Descent Association board chair Greg Kaeding said the annual two-day event had higher water levels than last year and a greater than usual number of competitors made it through to the finish line as a result of heavy rainfall over the past week.

“We had excellent water,” he said. “The rainfall that fell in the lower half of the catchment made it quite exciting riding through the valley this year.

“The paddlers were really excited by the fact that they were able to get carried down through the valley with very little damage to crafts.”

Mr Kaeding said even though water levels in the Avon River had not broken any records, it reached around 3m at its highest points.

“Paddlers were very happy there was water — and it was actually getting bigger as they paddled,” he said. “It went up about 0.5m over the last 24 hours, which was really fantastic.”

He said around 180 competitors tackled the 124kms ultra marathon, while more than 200 took part in short course races.

Kayaker Luke Dooley was the first solo paddler across the line in the ultra marathon, in eight hours and 44 minutes, while Nina Mueller was the fastest female solo paddler.

The leading power dinghy, with Matt Even and Matt Thur, covered the course in two hours and 10 minutes.