The BIG Weekend

I guess all those rain dances just didn't work... A record dry winter, the lowest Avon Descent in 34 years caused pain and misery to many competitors.
Not wanting to smash our better boat we had decided to only race our kevlar K2 if its was 0.5 or higher. Once we knew the river level was closer to 0.35 we entered the race individually in plastic kayaks.

The positive of this was that we didn't damage our K2 and the plastic girls are very strong and forgiving - the negative is that they are also very slow and heavy!
Our plan to stay side-by-side and cruise along enjoying the company and laughs went out the window 30mins into the 16hour race as my mate raced off.
I was left in the middish of the 700 paddlers, chatting to anyone and everyone. I met some interesting people, had some interesting conversations and a few laughs.
It was a long and slow race, hoping out over 35 times to carry and pull a heavy boat over shallows, sand and rocks, the rapids - althought amusing - were small, less challenging and worst of all provided no current!
I did finish, glad to have achieved that goal, but still didn't enjoy the weekend as much as hoped. I feel especially sorry for the many who were pulled out due to cut off times - very hard if stuck in the last grids in a short plastic. Im keen to go again in 07 - hopefully in high water, in a K2 and racing hard.
A special congrat's to 2 friends - Matt C - 4th in K1's and Josh S - 1st in short plastics! Well done on these amazing efforts! Plus a big thankyou to all the hardworking support crews.