Day 2 - Flat water short course options

For those who want to get on the water this Avon Descent — join us on Sunday 10 August for a range of short course options.

 

All participants and top finishers were recognised, and received medals. This is a great event for weekend paddlers and those wanting to dip their toe into the Avon Descent. 

 

There are three course options for 2025:

5km Bayswater Splash and Dash

The Bayswater Splash and Dash participants launch from Riverside Gardens, travelling upstream along the right bank to Ron Courtney Island adjacent to Garvey Park and Ascot Kayak Club.  Paddlers are to circumnavigate the island with the island remaining on the paddlers left and then make their way back to the finish line at Riverside Garden.

Paddlers are to paddle upstream with the right bank on their right and downstream also with the right bank on their right.

This 5km flat water paddle is to give anyone with a paddle craft in their backyard the opportunity to then take part in the Avon Descent Experience.

Paddlers under the age of 15 must paddle with a paddle partner and must wear a PFD.

17km Lilac Challenge

Lilac Challenge participants launch from Riverside Gardens, travelling upstream along the right bank to a 180 degree, left hand buoy turn at Lilac Hill Park (adjacent to the family fun day in the park) then travelling back down stream and on to Riverside Gardens, Bayswater. This 18km flat water course is perfect for those wanting a little more of a challenge and also support the activity at the Lilac Hill Park and an event sponsor, the City of Swan.

 

Paddlers under the age of 15 must paddle with a paddle partner and must wear a PFD.

 

Suitable craft for this event:

  • recreational touring kayaks
  • any plastic craft
  • surf skis – life saving ski
  • ocean paddle craft
  • stand up paddle boards
  • outriggers
  • surf boats
  • dragon boats

30km Swan Challenge

The Swan Classic launches participants from Riverside Gardens in Bayswater and proceed upriver 15km to just passed the Middle Swan Bridge to Middle Swan Park, turn the marker buoy, right hand around and return to the Riverside Gardens finish line.  The course must be navigated as per Department of Transport rules (upstream on the right and downstream on the right).  When negotiating bridges the craft upstream will give way to the craft travelling downstream if needed.

 

The start will be in an allocated waves with like craft and gender with a maximum of twelve in each wave.Craft will be marshalled into a position to enter the water at Riverside Gardens and will be directed by marshals. This part of the event requires patients and cooperation.

 

This 30km flat water course is ideal for those who want to experience a challenge similar to the Avon Descenders last stage of the 124km two-day mission.

 

This event is only recommended for competitors that have done the correct preparation, but do not have the correct craft or have the desire to do the full-length Avon Descent.

 

This course option suits craft with under rudders.

 

This event needs 5 or more entries to proceed.

Entries open in July

Participation in the Avon Descent Day 2 Courses is open to paddle craft only.

These courses suit recreational paddlers and are less restricted than the Avon Descent 124km – competitive craft specifications do not apply.

Likely craft involved in the optional events includes (but not limited to):

  • Single, Double, Fours, Six and multiple considerations
  • recreational kayaks
  • surf skis
  • ocean paddle craft
  • stand up paddle boards
  • outriggers
  • dragon boats
  • surf boats
  • rowing shells
  • The condition of the craft or the choice of suitable craft used will be the responsibility of the competitor and it is expected that all paddlers will have the ability to self-rescue in flat water conditions.
  • As a result of the river width from bank to bank the race is a timed race from start to finish without a stop with the fastest winning craft in the selected division taking out the win.
  • All craft will start in waves with a short interval between each wave.
  • All craft will take up a single file formation to negotiate all bridges with narrow access.
  • At the West Swan Road – Barkers Bridge all craft are to negotiate a passage under the bridge in single file. No overtaking is permitted from 200m approaching a bridge and all craft are to negotiate the bridge with extreme caution and safety.
  • Craft may overtake at any time other than on an approach to a bridge. If approaching a craft in front, the overtaking manoeuvre must be on the left of the craft in front.
  • An announcement is to be made in the tighter sections of the river that overtaking is about to happen and the boat in front must give up their position and move over to the right if posable.
  • Clear communication will avoid collision, damage and injury.
  • Overtaking is on for all once passed the bridges. Communicate the passing manoeuvre once again.
  • Single file formation again around Fishmarket Reserve – Guildford Boat Ramp and before the rail and traffic bridges ahead.
  • The island at Garvey Park approximately 2.5km upstream of the start/finish line and adjacent to the Ascot Kayak Club is to be negotiated with the island always on the left and passing it with care when the river narrows.
  • When passing under the Redcliff Bridge – Tonkin Highway, use care when negotiating the bridge that is not a single file passage.
  • The finish will be through a finish line located just past the rotunda on the end of the jetty at Riverside Gardens in Bayswater.
  • Craft operators will then take instruction from marshals.
  • All competitors under the age of 15 must wear a PFD. Competitors over the age of 16 have PFD’s as an option but strongly recommended.  Helmets are not required.  Carrying drinking water is strongly recommended.
  • These course option suits craft with under rudders, who cannot participate in the Avon Descent because of the rapids but want a challenge and be part of a bigger event rather than a casual weekend paddle.
  • The turning point of each course may be a challenge for the longer craft with multiple paddlers and curtesy will be required when a number of craft are in the turning zone at the same time.

10km Woodbridge Dash

The Woodbridge Dash launches participants from Woodbridge Riverside Park in the City of Swan. This 10km flat water course, paddling downstream only, is ideal for those who want to enjoy a quick morning on the river for all types of paddle and rowing craft.  The course concludes at Riverside Gardens, Bayswater.

17km Bayswater Belter

The Bayswater Belter launches participants from Woodbridge Riverside Park, with participants travelling upstream along the right bank to a 180 degree, left hand, buoy turn at Midland Brick (just before Whiteman Bridge) then travelling back past the starting point and onto Riverside Gardens, Bayswater. This 17km flat water course is perfect for those wanting a little more of a challenge.

29km Swan Challenge

The Swan Challenge is the longest of the short courses, launching participants from Woodbridge Riverside Park, with participants paddling upstream along the right bank to Maali Foot Bridge before turning around and paddling back along the right bank past the starting point and on to Riverside Gardens, Bayswater.

Note for all participants:

All short courses should be completed prior to the 124km Avon Descent competitors arriving at Riverside Gardens. Participants on all course options are required to follow instructions of starters at Woodbridge Riverside Park.