Swimming with the Van Dusan and getting chased by a man with a fish

Jack and Jen joined me for an early morning paddle on Sunday morning. They were trying out a Sladecraft Supersonic and this was my first session back in the Van Dusan after paddling the Struer for a few weeks and at State. Wow...how quickly you lose the feel for a tippy K1. I was all over the place. I think the problem was that I was trying to do the same good technique that I used in the Struer (more rotation, straighter arms, more length at the catch, higher top hand), and in the Van Dusan my balance wasn't quite good enough to do it.

It was all quite funny really, with Jack calling out every km or so "Ahhh, Jen...what are you doing?" as they were trying to get used to the tippier double, and me calling out Aaaarrrghhhh, and $hit etc every couple of hundred metres as I had to do a brace stroke or lost my technique. Anyway, up near the lake a boat came past us (same direction) and the tiny ripples were enough to land me in the drink. De-ja-vue from State. So it looks like I'm back to swimming in the Van Dusan again. I guess it'll take me a few weeks to get back to the level I was at before I switched to the Struer. But it will be worth it...if I can master the Van Dusan by World Masters I will fly in it!

After the usual re-entry (which I'm getting rather good at now), I felt slow and asked Jack what speed he thought we were doing. With his reply of 10.5-11km/hr I felt much better. Seems I'm paddling better than I thought after all.

We headed back to the boat ramp and Greg Slade paddled from his house and met us there. I had to leave to go to another children's Birthday Party, and Anton and Greg were joining Jack and Jen to head back out into the lake. As Greg and I were standing knee deep at the waters edge he noticed a large fish "doing a handstand" in the water near us. It didn't look too well, and with a huge bite already out of it Greg set about catching it. What a sight...with Greg running through the water holding and using his paddle like a spear taking occasional whacks and scoops at the fish. After a while and with a shout of "I've got it" he brought it over on his paddle to show us. My comment was "eeeuuuuwwwww,yuk" and so for the next minute he chased after me with the fish on the paddle. I ran to grab my paddle and used it to defend myself with Greg pretending to throw the fish at me. Sooooo funny.

The fish was then returned to the water and Jack and Jen, Anton and Greg headed off towards the lake.

State Marathon Championships: Day 1 Race Report

Singles events were on this morning and I started off at 10:04am in the Open Womens K1 (me and only 1 other competitor) with the Under 23 Womens K1 (Elizabeth Dodd from our club and 1 other competitor) starting with us as well. A pretty disappointing turn up for all events I must say.

I aimed to start conservatively and was slow off the start (better to stay upright and lose a couple of metres). Straight away the 2 elite women bolted and that was pretty much the last Lizz and I saw of them the whole race (other than turns of course). They were just too superior and it was pretty much what I expected to happen. So it was me and Lizz paddling fairly close together for the race. I was feeling good and by the end of the first lap I had caught up to Liz (after my slow start) and we went into the portage together. By the end of the portage she had gained a lot of distance on me, but I caught her back up by the end of the second lap. The second portage was the same, but she gained even more distance and I couldn't catch her. However on the 3rd portage she didn't do so well and we left the beach together. I decided to wash ride her (technically I wasn't meant to but everyone else was doing the same thing) and the first part of the 4th lap was spent with me wash riding her, and some guy wash riding me. I started to feel really good and strong and had planned to let her rest behind me after the turn around and then after the last portage to let it be every man/woman for themselves, but 200 metres from the turn disaster struck...

The whole race we were cursed by speed boats and water skiers. They were very inconsiderate and even sped up when they got near us. I can't believe that they were allowed on the river - it was really quite dangerous. I had coped with all this wash extremely well, but this time we had 2 boats come past from behind us who sped up when then reached us. It created 2 lots of enormous following wash. I coped with the first lot well as I had time to turn towards the bank a bit, but at one point the cockpit was even in the water. I had never paddled on wash so big! The second lot was the end of me. I was still paddling in the direction of the wash but the waves just turned the kayak and spun it sideways and flipped me over. I have no idea how Liz didn't fall in - much better skill I suppose. But then again I think it was just bad luck for me.

I was pretty pi$$ed off. I swam for shore and soon discovered that eventhough it was shallow water the mud/silt was knee deep. I had no hope of getting back in on my own. Every time I managed to brace my paddle on a rock and get a leg in, the other leg would sink in the mud and I would tip back over. I tried in vain for a while and then finally a safety boat saw me and came over. After several amusing attempts for them to help me (which included them drifting 30 metres down the river with my paddle), they finally managed to help me get back in. In all, it was at least 15 minutes spent until I was back in the K1. Soooooo frustrating. I really had only 2 options. To end my race there and then with a DNF (which really wasn't an option for me) or to keep going. So I kept going. I was so far behind by now it was embarrassing, but I came in for the last portage and everyone was cheering me and encouraging me, so off I went on my final lap and paddled hard till the end.

It was so frustrating to paddle so hard and well for so long, to have it end like that so close to the finish. I always knew that I wouldn't win - that wasn't the issue - I had wanted to paddle well and see what kind of time I could do for the distance. And when Liz and I were so close it turned into a race between us (eventhough we were in different classes) and I had hoped to finish close to her or even beat her. Oh well. At least I can look at her time and have a vague idea as to what time I would have done.

So I got a silver medal in a time of 2:46:08 (hr:min:sec) for 25km with 4 portages. Liz did 2:38:30, which I know I could have done without the capsize. I think she probably eased off a bit when she saw I'd disappeared and would have gone faster than that if I'd still been on her tail.

But, all in all I'm happy with how I paddled and coped with most of the wash and conditions. My portages were slow, but for my first time I think I did well. So other than the capsize I'm pleased with my race.

Last paddle before I race

The Struer is all fixed and Jack, Mick and myself headed out for a short easy paddle this afternoon. Jack has been very busy at his place and within a week has put in stairs and carpet to make a beautiful little access point to the river. Nice!!!!

Today I tried using my drink system and it took a while to get used to as it throws the balance off a bit, but after a while I didn't even notice it was there and was able to drink from it without too much trouble. First objective achieved.

Mick (who had already done some paddling) left us back at the boat ramp and Jack and I continued up the river. For the rest of the paddle he helped me out with wash riding techniques and race tactics. The whole time he was getting me to try different things and challenging me by speeding up, slowing down, changing direction etc. It was unreal! He has so much knowledge and experience and it's great to be able to learn some tricks. I've learnt so much by paddling with the guys in the last month. Second objective achieved.

After we finished the lap I was feeling great and definately ready to race. My back was no problem, my technique felt much better, the drink system was comfortable and effective, and I'm excited about racing. So I called it quits whilst I felt so good.

Once off the river back at Jack and Jen's place whilst washing down boats and getting organised for the weekend, Jen came out and handed me a lovely hot mug of Milo....now that's service! I think I'll be paddling from your place a bit more often in future Jack and Jen. :)

Not the Struer!

Anton and I met up this morning for an easy paddle. My physio has given me strict instructions to NOT "do anything silly over the weekend", and Anton is racing tomorrow so we planned a short easy session.

My back felt good and I focused on technique trying to improve rotation and reach, and stop 'unwinding' before the catch. I even went for the third marker out in the lake, which I have never done before in a K1 and after the first 8.5km lap was feeling really good, so we decided to go for a second lap.

By the time we got up to the lake on the second lap my back was aching a fair bit, so I hopped out and gave it a quick stretch and then finished the second lap. 17km all up and I feel as comfortable in the Struer now as if it was a TK1.

We called it a day and went about washing down the kayaks. I had the Struer carefully placed on the cradles and was wiping it down when it started to tip. I quickly grabbed it to stop it falling and heard a horrible crack. I couldn't believe it. It had cracked where a previous repair had been done (the combing had come away). Not the Struer!!! I felt sick. I had been so careful with it - as I always am when looking after someone elses things - seriously I am obsessive compulsive when I borrow things. I was devestated.

When Jack and Jen arrived to look at it I just called out "I'm Soooooooo sorry Jack", but Jack just came over and gave me a hug and told me it was ok. Thanks Jack, I really needed that hug!

He said it wasn't a big deal and he would just redo the repair. What a relief (though I still feel so bad that it happened).

Feeling good again

My wonderful and supportive husband Chris let me go to bed to rest as soon as he got home yesterday. So from 4:30pm onwards I spent the afternoon/evening in bed dozing, reading and watching TV (not at the same time). It was heaven and very much needed. I had a great night sleep and woke up this morning feeling heaps better. It was just what I needed.

My afternoon paddle also went well. My focus was on technique and mainly getting my top hand a bit higher, tilting my pelvis forward (sticking bum out), and sitting more upright (not hunched) by tilting from the hips. It worked well and I felt good.

Anton and I paddled briefly with Mick and Jack who had already completed their 10+ km, and we came across a beautiful Sea Eagle up in a tree. We stopped paddling to get a better look and ended up only about 5-10 metres away from it. It was amazing.

With Mick leaving us at the pontoon and Jack turning around at the powerlines Anton and I headed up to the lake and back. I feel so good and confident in the Struer now and it was great to be able to focus a bit more on technique.

A decision's been made

A decision has been made and I've finally entered the State Marathon Championships in the Open K1 and Open Mixed TK2. I've also decided that I'll race in the Struer for the K1 race. Considering that it is a 5km lap course (5 laps for K1 race and 4 laps for TK2) there's going to be a lot of boat wash and messy water. I am very confident in the Struer and won't feel nervous in rougher conditions, wash riding or when jostling for positions (like on Sunday). I'm just not quite ready in the Van Dusan yet. I can't wait until I can paddle the Van Dusan as well as the Struer because I will fly. But in the meantime I am looking forward to racing (instead of feeling a bit nervous about it) and can't wait until we get up to Forster.

For everyone (Jack, Mark and Anton) who have kindly offered for me to borrow their kayaks I am more grateful than you'll ever know. Your generosity, sharing of knowledge and support mean a lot to me and I wouldn't be paddling anywhere near as good as I am without it.

Club race

The race is 11.35km. My start time was 9:23am (based on my last race time of 1:07). I started with another guy in a K1 and soon after we were on our way he started talking to me. I'm sorry but when I race in a single, I'm normally not in the mood to talk. So I sped up to get in front and he quickly hopped on my wash for the whole trip up.

At the turn around I nearly crashed into a few people due to my inexperience, but it turned out ok. I think I must have had at least 4 people riding my wash by that point. Anyway, after the turnaround I hopped on their wash and it was messy but great. I still struggle riding the rear wash and have trouble staying on it, so I switched to riding the side wash of a double Mirage. Now that was a nice wash.

There was by now a heap of people in this pack and we were passing many others. This was tricky, trying to stay on the wash where there was often little or no passing room. It was so hectic and messy, but I managed it and didn't fall in. Now there's the difference between the Struer and the Van Dusan. I would have been swimming for sure in the Van Dusan.

About 1.5km before the end I was struggling to get back on anyone's wash after a rather messy passing, and someone behind me called out and let me tuck in front of them on Mick's wash. I don't know who it was but THANKYOU! I managed to stay on Mick's wash until the end and finished in a time of 1:05:10 (hr:min:sec). I had nothing left. I gave it everything. My average heart rate was 191bpm and a maximum of 202. But I'm absolutely stoked with the time. Imagine how fast I could go in the Van Dusan when I can paddle it as well as the Struer. Hopefully that's where I'll be by the Worlds.

A mixed paddle

Another physio treatment down, and my back is slowly starting to get better. I still haven't decided what kayak (category) I'm going to paddle at State so I asked Anton if I could try his TK1 today. Chris got home from work early today so with 38 minutes notice Anton met me at the usual place. Thank goodness he's so flexible with training times.

The TK1 obviously felt slower and heavier than the Van Dusan, but it was a very comfortable boat to paddle. The speeds we were doing were good (considering I was actually going easy today), but the thought of racing 20km in it was starting to look a bit daunting. We passed by Jack and Jen's place, had a very quick chat and continued up the river. Just as we were about to turn around at the first marker we looked around and Jack was behind us. He'd made a quick decision, had hopped in his Struer K1 and caught us up.

He offered for me to paddle the Struer back and so I gave it a try. NICE KAYAK!!!! It felt so stable, but much faster than the club K1. Not as fast as the Van Dusan, but I was able to do much better technique in it (due to better balance) and ended up going faster than I can in the Van Dusan (just because I could paddle it better). Cruising speed was 10km/hr, comfortable was 10.2-10.6km/hr, and riding on Jack's wash we got up to 12.4km/hr. Cool. That's the other thing...I was actually able to wash ride in it. It's the first K1 I've been able to do this properly in.

Since Jack has kindly offered for me to paddle it at State, I'm very tempted. The Van Dusan is a much quicker kayak, but I go quicker in the Struer because I can paddle it better and just haven't had long enough in the Van Dusan to be able to paddle it to my best ability.

So I'm going to race it at the club race tomorrow and see what kind of time I can do. I'm really looking forward to it. Jack thinks I could do 1:04 (hr:min), but I don't think I'll go that fast. I would like to beat my time in the Van Dusan from last race, and if I could do 1:06 I would be VERY happy.

Afterwards we went back to Jack and Jen's place and had a cup of Milo (yum), looked at some photos and had a good chat. Their place on the river is great. It was a lovely afternoon and I really enjoyed it. It's so nice to be making such lovely friends.

A bit of paddling and a bit of swimming

Today it was myself (in the Van Dusen), Anton (in his Mirage) and Jack and Jen (in the double) paddling together. I felt a lot better in the Van Dusen today. For the first half of the paddle I felt a lot more confident and comfortable in it. I was bracing a lot less and managed to get into a rhythm for most of it. I was even coping alright with a few boats that came past. Then, just as we were nearing the lake Jack said something about a big fish and silly me turned to look. Well the pictures tell the rest of that story. In I went and we decided some photos would make the blog more interesting and personal.

Anyway I went around the first marker and was on the way back when another boat came past with some bigger wash. I turned into it but didn't quite have enough room and nearly ended up hitting Anton with me yelling out "Don't stop, keep going, keep going" with lots of laughter mixed in. And a few seconds later just as I breathed with that near miss I looked up and Jack and Jen in the double were veering right and I was veering left . More calls by me of "$hit, $hit, don't stop, don't stop, keep going, $hit, $hit" followed by me crashing into them once and nearly again. I can't believe I stayed upright and was laughing so much for the next few minutes that I nearly fell in several times. It was soooo funny, I'm laughing now just picturing it all again!

Well I was getting pretty balance fatigued by this stage and had coped with some pretty impressive challenges. The last kilometer I was losing it a bit and was all over the place and I was looking forward to getting back. Soon we rounded the corner and I saw the ramp. Well Anton, not satisfied with me falling in only once (even with photos of it) decided he'd help me in again. In all fairness my steering is still pretty dodgy in the Van Dusen, but his calls of " What are you doing Cass, you're gunna put me into that branch aren't you" resulted in me looking at the offending branch, trying unsuccessfully to steer away and falling in with cries of "Anton you bastard". Only joking Anton - I won't hold it against you (for too long). So after another re-entry we were then back home. Jack had his beautiful Struer K1 there for me to have a go of. It was so comfortable and easy to paddle. Stability was no problem and it felt really nice to paddle. And Jack has even offered to lend it to me to race in at Forster (State Championships). Now this is a $7000 kayak we're talking about. So thankyou Jack, it's a very generous and much appreciated offer.