It’s 8.30 a.m. on an overcast Sunday morning and I’m not sipping coffee or catching up on the News App as usual. I’m heading along a river path, passing a gaggle of kitted out young kayak paddlers, to collect my race bib.

It’s been a while: actually a long time since I lined up to collect any sort of race number so this feels rather odd, especially since there is no veteran or masters class available, You are either Junior or Open class and I’m over 70 !

The event was originally planned for the King River, but low flows prompted a change of venue, to a dam release river and a Kayak Cross style event. A 4 paddler heat launching off the bank, then negotiating around poles each side of the rapid, and finally crossing the rapid again to touch the finish line banner. Seems easy enough, except the river is flowing at around twice it’s normal volume.

My heat arrived and I made a slow start but was happy to get around all the gates, no capsize/roll and came in 3^rd. That’s me in the Green Exo kayak.

I was next in the repechage, with the winner moving to the semi finals. I had a better run this time, but only managed a 4^th place.

That gave me time to watch the real paddlers, both junior and senior before preparing for the long course, mass start race. Here’s a few photos of the action.

The long course mass start was rather chaotic with wash from so many kayaks combined with the small rapids. Not only did I have all the others to contend with, but I still had to get around the gates used in the sprint course. Luckily I managed to stay upright and finished the course.

I had great fun, improved my skills and enjoyed being amongst fellow paddlers. Thanks to all the volunteers and officials who made this possible. The only downside was the 2000km round trip from home !