PNSW Race 7, Davistown Report
The early sunlight promised a nice winter’s day, but the forecast was for increasing wind!
So, when we erected the Club gazebo, we sought “safety in numbers”, and tied ours to the Newy Paddlers’ gazebo, and weighted the outer corners with drums of water – kindly filled by the Staff at the refurbished Stillwaters Café – only open for the day – for the kayakers! We are looking forward to being able to have a complete meal there, with such a nice outlook, once the Cafe opens up!
The old “prepare for it, and it won’t happen”, eventuated on this occasion, with the wind subsiding almost completely by racing’s end! But, the ebb tide did the opposite, with the run back to Riley’s Island, from the “bottom turn”, near the St. Hubert’s Island Bridge, significantly slower during the second five kilometre lap. I understand the last two laps were arduous, there, also!
The Course sounded complicated for those unfamiliar with it, but with a Safety Craft leading the way for the first Division – seven, and the first of the next eleven Divisions, which left about ten minutes later, all was well!
Despite a good roll-up of 192 Competitors, and a compact five kilometre Course, I only caught glimpses of some of our fourteen Paddlers for CCCC! Mick Carroll was 4th in Division 3, Steve Hill & Ross Fraser also 4th in Division 8, the Secretary, (paddling as Frederick Naughton), was 2nd in Division 10, but the most successful “Hunter” was Owen Walton who captured a 1st in Division 12. Paul Stone was having his first, or “Ranking” (qualifying) race for CCCC, but would have fought it out for first place in Division 2! Also in Division 2 was Aidan Shipton – resuming after a “spell”. Our other competitors were Cam Tunbridge, Paul Carter – Div 3, Anne Moore – Div 7, Jack and Jenny Ward – Div 9, Jim Buckland, Lyn Tunbridge – Div 10.
The full results are at PaddleNSW and the photos from the day are on the CCCC Web-site or on the CCCC Club facebook page.
NBN News had some coverage and you can find the news bulletin here!
Though the “Saratoga” Ferry Master was being as considerate as he could, the catamaran’s wake capsized at least a couple of Competitors. There were about seventeen withdrawals due to various circumstances, but this did not diminish the cheerful mood of the occasion! Marathon Paddlers just love to get out on the water!
“Local” BWP Member, Geoff Dawes, did an expert job as Starter, and as usual, Timekeepers Karen Forbes and Anne Cowper, with a couple of able assistants, performed their vital job, again!
“Master of Ceremonies” Gary Rake, competently “worked the crowd”, also giving away some nice Prizes (courtesy PNSW & Sponsors) to some “First Timers”.
It was reassuring to see a “Tinny”, and a few “Rubber Duckies”, manned by some BWP Members, around the Course – much appreciated by Competitors.
Hope the weather is nice again, for the next Round at Narrabeen on the 23rd July.
Nick.