The 2021 Avon Descent
14th & 15th of August
Building Community, Sporting and Volunteering in Western Australia
RELAUNCH
The Avon Descent is relaunching in 2021 for its 48th event. With a plethora of new initiatives and improvements, we hope you will join us for an unforgettable event in August.
The decision to cancel the event for the first time in its 48th year history has been a difficult one for Northam’s Avon Descent Association (NADA) and our event partners, but with the incredible support of the State government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and Lotterywest, we will be able to ensure a strong relaunch for one of WA’s most beloved events
With 2020 behind us, we look towards 2021 as a unique opportunity; an opportunity to focus our strengths to deliver a better core event as well an opportunity to adapt to a complex and changing world.
CHANGE OF DATE
14th & 15th August 2021
The 2021 Avon Descent will be held for the first time in its history on the second full weekend in August.
After careful consideration the board of Northam’s Avon Descent Association has made the decision that the 2021 Avon Descent race weekend will be held on the second weekend in August. This decision has not been taken lightly, but will ensure we can continue to adapt to the ever-changing climate and water levels, and deliver a stronger training and racing season for all. Save the date!
2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS UPDATE
NADA Members attending a Special General Meeting in December 2020, voted unanimously to adopt a wholly new Constitution and Bylaws of the Association. This new constitutional structure was developed after an exhaustive internal governance review throughout 2020.
Under the new Constitution, NADA will operate with an updated structure consisting of Board of Portfolio Directors and a Management Panel of Officers and Delegates, aimed at broadening expertise and efficiency in the conduct of the event.
The 2021 NADA Board of Directors
(continuing)
Chairperson – Greg Kaeding
Director, Finance & Admin – John King
Director, Logistics & Event Delivery – Michael Orr
Director, Governance – Phil Kitney
(incoming)
Director, Sporting – Michael Prosser
Director, Marketing, Media & Promotions – Jenny Shaw
Director, Stakeholder Management & Relations – Louanne Munz
(also continuing)
Executive Officer – Sean Dunstan
The 2021 Board of Directors and Management team will be working closer than ever with our event partners to deliver on our commitment to building community and tourism, growing sporting participation and promoting volunteering in Western Australia.
PADDLER FEEDBACK SURVEY
An open review meeting was held in late 2020 on behalf of the paddling community and coordinated by Paddle WA. This review meeting looked at the circumstances around the 2020 event cancellation and the opportunities moving forward from a paddler perspective. Subsequent to this meeting, a survey was conducted which collated feedback from the broader paddler community which was then forwarded to NADA for review.
Northam’s Avon Descent Association takes this feedback seriously and has identified significant opportunities that have since been incorporated into the planning of the 2021 event. We will be working hand in hand with Paddle WA to implement these changes and will be making announcements over the coming months.
It is critical to our success as an event that we take on board the feedback of the paddling community just as with our other sporting, community and volunteer partners. As a close-knit and dedicated community reliant upon volunteer time and shared resources, it is necessary that we foster a level of passion and dedication across the whole event so that we can grow and enhance the event year upon year, ensuring it will be around for generations to come.
FUTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS
In addition to some exciting paddler initiatives we are very excited by what 2021 will bring for our event, and look forward to sharing with you the many new events, races and activities we will be announcing this year. It is going to be a big event, an exciting one, and we hope you will be there with us to be a part of the 48th Avon Descent.
2021 STARTS NOW
Want to start your Avon Descent journey in paddling?
Newcomers are encouraged to join Legendary Avon Descenter Terry Bolland’s FREE introductory paddle training courses held every week until mid-February in Bassendean
Keep an eye out for new training opportunities in the coming months.
We will be providing a range of new resources and technologies in 2021 to make it easier than ever to get involved.
Keep up to date on all the Avon Descent news and announcements
A new discussion group to discuss everything Avon Descent related
One of Australia’s biggest paddling discussion groups
Power Dinghy Racing Club of WA Facebook Page
The home of power dinghy racing in WA
The State government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and Lotterywest is a major supporter of Northam’s Avon Descent Association. Sport and recreation builds stronger, healthier, happier and safer communities.
