James Pretto and Jarad Kohlar take on the Avon Decent in 2010

The Avon Descent is Western Australia’s own unique sporting event that attracts competitors and spectators from throughout Australia and overseas. Competitors challenge the Avon and Swan river’s in a variety of paddle and power craft in an exciting two-day time trial over 134 gruelling kilometres.
 
This year I will be competing in the Avon Decent for the second time in the largest and most competitive category, long plastic.  The race will start in two weeks time on the 7th and 8th of August. I will be flying out on Melbourne on the 5th of August and will be racing as part of the FINN kayak team. What I have got to look forward to is:
 
Day 1 is a 57 kilometre stretch beginning at the Town of Northam, 100 kilometres east of Perth. The course proceeds downriver through the town of Toodyay into the upper reaches of the Darling Range escarpment. The half-way point and overnight stop is the Boral Campsite located at Cobbler Pool 20 kilometres west of Toodyay.
 
Day 2 is 76 kilometres long and sees competitors tackle the valley containing the major white water obstacles and challenges of the event including Supershoot, Emu Falls, Championship Rapids and Bells Rapids. The rush of the valley leaves competitors with the marathon 30 kilometre, flat water stretch to Bayswater. While the victorious burst their way over the Finish Line the achievers are happy just to finish.
 
Until then, I will be training with a trip planned down the Thompson River next week and weekend of ocean paddling down at Lorne this weekend. See you all out on the water soon.

Avon Decent 2009

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