- Avon Descent
The Avon Descent is an annual, two-day, white water event involving both paddle craft (
kayak s, surf skies) and small motor boats. It runs from Northam toPerth, Western Australia along the Avon and Swan Rivers, and is held in August of every year.Sponsors and commercial support regularly changes, sometimes annually.
It is the only event in the world where power craft race paddle craft. The course has Grade 2-4 white water rapids and its 133 gruelling kilometres tests the endurance of the fittest athlete. The first Avon Descent was held in 1973. There has been an increase in the prize pool from 2007 of $10,000 providing an extra $6,000 for 1st, $3,000 for 2nd and $1,000 for 3rd fastest single paddle craft. In 2006 757 competitors started the event in 459 craft.
External links
* [http://www.avondescent.com.au/ Official Homepage]
Further reading
* (1993) "Avon descent" - Colin Arcus talks about winning the first race in 1957 - Subiaco post, 20 July 1993
* (1991) "Souvenir edition of the paper giving details of the Avon Descent race" Avon Valley advocate, 31 July 1991, entire issue,
* Longley, Griffin.(2005) "Take me to the river". Family groups talk about why they compete in the Avon Descent together. West Australian, 6 Aug. 2005, p. 14-16, West Magazine
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