2021 SAFETY BRIEFING

Northam’s Avon Descent 2021

KEY POINTS: Safety Info for Competitors

(Competitors may choose to laminate and carry in craft for reference)

 

  • Northam Weir – NO PORTAGE: Buoys mark Chute.
  • Katrine Bridge: River right all craft high or low water. No go area marked. Maybe water over road.
    • PADDLE: PORTAGE ONLY including TEAMS / craft changeover: river right bank only.
    • POWER: Low water: MARKED PORTAGE ONLY. Motors dead, Driver & Crew must exit.
    • POWER: High water: river right under slow power over road, BEWARE culverts.
  • Glen Avon Rapid: CAUTION
    • Standing wave pushing craft/swimmers into trees on left.
  • Williamson (Extracts) Weir: CAUTION
    • 2019/2021 paddlers: mandatory portage river left – flags.
    • ALL OTHER CRAFT: negotiate weir ‘with care’ by route of choice.
  • TRAFFIC BRIDGES: CAUTION
    • Bridges to be approached with care. Straight-line approach recommended.
  • Lower Toodyay / Julimar Road Bridge:
    • The Wetherall checkpoint has changed to the bridge location.
    • Wetherall Reserve: Team changeover: marked by river buoy left bank after bridge.
  • Cobbler Pool Day ONE Finish: CAUTION
    • Finish timing usual location exit IMMEDIATELY AFTER river left downstream of finish.

DAY TWO

  • SUPPORT VEHICLES: ALL traffic leaving the camp site at Cobblers Pool on Sunday LEFT ONLY except Valley Pass support crews. Quarry Road will not be used this year.
  • STARTS: Procedure is water level dependant.  TO BE ADVISED BY SMS OR ON ARRIVAL.  
  • Emu Falls: CAUTION:
    • Usual left channel CAUTION at / below ‘washing machine’ & bottom, long portage left along road is other option.
  • Championships Rapid: CAUTION:
    • Large central standing waves: caution required stay to sides of standing waves
  • Syds Rapid: CAUTION: Left bank route recommended
    • AVOID right – trees & fast water. AVOID middle – waterfall & hazard.
  • Bells Rapid: CAUTION: Last rapid. Manage hydration, nutrition, fatigue and hypothermia to finish line.
    • Avoid middle section– large standing waves. RHS portage or paddle watch trees.
    • RECOMENDATION – hug far left bank before going under the bridge.

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