Paddle in a team of two or four
Take up the challenge of the Act-Belong-Commit Avon Descent in a team of two or a team of four.
The Teams category is aimed at increasing participation for
- Novice paddlers building up to a complete Act-Belong-Commit Avon Descent
- Paddlers with Act-Belong-Commit Avon Descent experience looking for an alternative option to access the event
- Groups of friends and colleagues looking for a challenge
- Elite competitors in Teams competing for the prize money
The Course
The two day course will be split into eight race stages with each paddler completing two stages per day for pairs and one stage per day for fours.
DAY 1
Stage 1 Northam Start Line to Katrine Bridge 17 km
Stage 2 Katrine Bridge to Newcastle Bridge 15 km
Stage 3 Newcastle Bridge to Wetherall Reserve 9 km
Stage 4 Wetherall Reserve to Cobblers Pool 11 km
DAY 2
Stage 5/6 Cobblers Pool to Stronghills Farm 18 km
Stage 7 Stronghills Farm to Bells Rapid 21 km
Stage 8 Bells Rapid to Middle Swan Bridge 18 km
Stage 9 Middle Swan Bridge to Bayswater Finish Line 15 km
Stage Information for Competitors and Support Crew
Stage 1
Katrine Bridge changeover is on the right hand bank below Katrine Bridge heading downstream. Parking at the car park or road verge, follow instructions of parking crew. Carry change boat over bridge to change point.
Stage 2
Newcastle Bridge changeover is on the left hand bank at Duidgee Park heading downstream below the Newcastle Bridge (previously Bolgart Bridge). Park in the car park at Duidgee Park, Toodyay.
Stage 3
Wetherall Reserve change over is on the leftbank of the river 1.5km downstream of the West Toodyay Bridge. Follow Julimar Rd to the intersection with River Rd, travel down River Road for 1.5km and park on road verge.
Stage 4
Cobblers Pool is the finish of day 1. Park in the car park provided at the Boral Cobblers Pool campsite.
Stage 5/6
Drive with your headlights on. Turn right coming out of the campsite. Stronghill’s Farm is in the centre of the Avon Valley. Follow the Valley Road. NO STOPPING ON THIS ROAD except for specified Teams Change Over points. Police will be patrolling and please follow directions of officials. A Race Official will check you into the Valley Road access point – only one car per team (Valley 2011 sticker must be clearly displayed on front windscreen) – INCLUDE PADDLER 2 & 3. Follow instructions of parking officials.
Stage 7
Drive with your headlights on. Follow the valley road to Bells Rapid. NO STOPPING ON THIS ROAD EXCEPT FOR DESIGNATED CHANGEOVER POINTS. GIVE WAY TO EMERGENCY VEHICLES. Parking is at the lower car park at Bell’s Rapid.
Stage 8
The changeover is on the left hand bank heading downstream at the bottom of Bells lower car park. Travel to Middle Swan Bridge and park in the parking area.
Stage 9
The Middle Swan Bridge changeover is on the right hand bank. Travel to Riverside Gardens in Bayswater, and follow directions to parking.
Changeovers
Pairs can only paddle 2 sections each per day. Pairs can paddle consecutive sections, however MUST portage at the intersecting changeover point. Fours must changeover at each changeover point and each paddler must paddle one section per day.
Support Crew Information
Support Crew vehicle/s must display the Support Crew 2013 sticker on the front windscreen (clearly visible to officials).
Each Team is issued with 1 (one only) Valley 2013 sticker and this allows access to the Valley Road on Day 2, turn right when leaving the campsite (stage 5 & 6).
Please note: 1 (one) Support Crew vehicle per team is permitted down the Valley Road and the vehicle must display the Valley 2013 sticker on the front windscreen clearly visible to officials otherwise no access to the Valley Road will be permitted.
The Valley Road is a private road and for the Avon Decent to continue using this road competitors and support crew must be mindful and respect its use. Support crew vehicles must always give way to emergency vehicles and obey all directions of race officials. No stopping is permitted on the Valley Road except at designated changeover points.
