PLEASE NOTE:
The Event Rules are not just for competitors. It's very important that Support Crew also read and understand these Rules and Specifications.
Not doing so could jeopardise your competitor's entry.
2018 Event Rules
2018 Event Specifications
Stages and Cut-off Times
2018 (Coming soon)
There will be different cut off times along the way. Any craft that does not complete Day One cut off time will not be permitted to start on Day Two.
The following cut-off times apply (subject to change by the Race Director).
Course Map
Click here to view the full course map of the Avon Descent.
River levels and Rapids
Race Conditions
The race conditions will depend on the river levels at the time of the event.
Race Conditions Disclaimer
DISCLAIMER
The following information is intended as a guide only for competitors, support crew and spectators.
As the conditions are often dependent on water levels, the Organisers accept no responsibility for the correlation of the descriptions and the actual conditions encountered.
The event can be dangerous as water levels in the Avon River and upper reaches of the Swan River can produce dramatic changes in race conditions. Intending competitors should have a high level of fitness and competency. Special training courses are available for novices.
The conditions encountered by competitors during the event can alter substantially depending on river levels.
The various difficulties and obstacles to be expected during the event are discussed in the Race Stages. The whitewater grades of difficulty to be expected can vary from Grade 1 to Grade 4. Typically there are Grade 2 and Grade 3 whitewater rapids.
The description of the grades can be viewed below.
Grade 1 (Not Difficult)
- Regular stream
- Regular waves
- Small rapids
- Simple obstructions
Grade 2 (Moderately Difficult)
- Passage free irregular stream
- Irregular waves
- Medium rapids
- Small stoppers
- Eddies
- Whirlpools and pressure areas*
- Simple obstructions in stream
- Small drops
*Pressure areas refer to water piling up against a rock or other obstacle.
Grade 3 (Difficult)
- Route recognisable
- High irregular waves
- Larger rapids
- Stoppers
- Eddies
- Whirlpools and pressure areas*
- Isolated boulders
- Drops
- Numerous obstructions in stream
*Pressure areas refer to water piling up against a rock or other obstacle.
Grade 4 (Very Difficult)
- Route not always recognisabl
- Inspection mostly necessary
- Heavy continuous rapids
- Heavy stoppers
- Whirlpools and pressure areas*
- Boulders obstructing stream
- Undertow
*Pressure areas refer to water piling up against a rock or other obstacle.
Grade 5 (Extremely Difficult)
- Inspection essential
- Extreme rapids
- Stoppers
- Whirlpools and pressure areas*
- Narrow passages
- Steep gradients and drops with difficult access and landing
*Pressure areas refer to water piling up against a rock or other obstacle.
Grade 6 (Limit of Practicability)
- Generally speaking impossible
- Possibly navigable at particular water levels
- High risk
- Even experts risk life
