The whole weekend was fantastic, staying in Northam on Friday night, watching the fireworks, the atmosphere on Saturday morning at the start, the high water levels and camping at Cobbler Pool. What a ride down the Valley on Day 2, it was challenging but exciting. I'll be back next year.

There's a huge amount of enjoyment and sense of accomplishment by paddling in a group of people while training, then a bigger group of people on race day. The camaraderie amongst competitors makes the time a pleasure! It is a great way to spend your time, good for your fitness, it's not very far away or hugely expensive, and the bottom part of the river can be paddled all year round.

No one really knows what this event is really like for competitors, unless you’ve done it. You’ll finish the event not believing what you’ve just done. I still love the event even after 16 years competing and I’m so fortunate that at my age, (65) I can still think about just one more!

It's a race that keeps throwing challenges around every corner

I will be back next year! I had so much fun. The start of Day 2 was like a beautiful downhill 40km rollercoaster. The response from the SUP community has been both shock and pleasure that it's a new SUP destination. I am positive there will be more of us next year!

This will be my 24th Avon descent challenge – which compared to my friends at Sorrento (Russell Wright at 40, Norm Miller & Ron Clarke 30+) still places me as the new kid on the block. I keep coming back as I’m still trying to work out how to do this thing, as well as most importantly the campfire comrade of my long standing support crew, aka Jeff Dusting (original training partner mid 90’s), Bushie, The Mole, $ Bill, El Guapo & Danny as some of the more regular and recent recruit Wayno. Looking forward to another great year!
For novices this year – watch out for dodgy advice about the “correct” line over Northam Weir

If ever there was a year to shoot Extracts/Williamson’s Weir 2018 was it, with the highest water since 2008 we were having a great race. Sadly we hit a few too many rocks and snapped our nose off, good old shopping bag and some Gaffa tape got us through to the finish line at Cobblers Pool, what an adventure and thrill completing Day 1 in near flood conditions I am yet to do the full 124km course but nothing will stop me trying, bring on 2019

I'd like to express my gratitude to the organisers for allowing my 91 year old mum access to Bells for the event. Mum supported me in the Descent in the early eighties through to the early 90s and loved the opportunity to be able to see me compete again this year. She was at Bells and saw me come through (upright thankfully) and I saw her there as well. She got a real buzz from being there and joined me at the finish to celebrate.