Avon Descent: Bareknuckle thrills with cuts and bruises as racers seize perfect conditions

Come hell or high water, just go for it. And with high water, Avon Descent competitors really went for it, recording some of the fastest day one times in the event’s 51-year history. Charged by recent rains, the Avon was pumping, but medical kits were again needed, with several team members collecting cuts, bruises and abrasions as they raced down the hairiest sections of the course. The leading powercraft, with Matt Even and Matt Thur, covered the 52km in 47 minutes 16 seconds, while the leading paddlecraft, with Brendan Rice and Josh Kippin, came in at 3 hours and 12 minutes. The remaining 72km of the 124km course will be tackled on Sunday. Avon Descent Association chair Greg Kaeding said the start at Northam had to be delayed for an hour because of fog, but otherwise conditions were excellent. “We have to check out all the hazardous areas immediately prior to the race to make sure visibility is adequate ... the motorised craft are travelling between 60-70km/h, and they need to obviously have a minimum amount of visibility so they’re in a position to negotiate those rapids or obstacles,” he said. “We got under way at 9am with the power dinghy racing craft, and they were followed some 20 minutes later by the new mini jet power category.” Extracts Weir, again, proved the riskiest section. “We had the usual bang and scrape that happens at Extracts,” Mr Kaeding said. “St John’s recommended a couple of people get checked out at (hospital).” Competitors set up camp at Cobbler Pool, west of Toodyay, overnight ahead of Sunday’s white water action down the Avon and Swan Rivers. The iconic Avon Descent finishes at Bayswater.