"So one day at the tender age of 70, I decided I would give it a go"

Arthur L

The Avon Descent is conducted each year during the first weekend in August and it is quite a challenge.

As a member of the over 45 Kayak Association, I had been paddling a kayak up and down the Swan River for a considerable number of years. The Avon Descent was always at the back of my mind, like the Marathon is to a long-distance runner I guess.

So one day at the tender age of 70, I decided I would give it a go.

This decision caused considerable consternation and horror amidst the four generations of my family but they gradually accepted the idea and formed themselves into a very effective support team.

The start line at Northam is a very colourful scene with hundreds of kayaks and paddlers circling around in the still water, waiting to take off and disappear down the weir.

The first day had many exciting moments but my enthusiasm was being maintained by my descendants who were leap­frogging my progress and shouting encouragement from the riverbank.

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