0447496489 | |
info@adventurethon.com.au | |
grafton, New South Wales, Australia | |
https://adventurethon.com.au/events/clarence-valley/ult... | |
Get ready for a stunning river paddle in CLarence River this November 26. This paddle will be very exciting for first timers in rapids and also safe enough for beginners to just “have a crack” & learn as they go. Advanced (older) paddlers have opportunities to get ahead at rapids and try to fight off fitter younger paddlers as they fight back on the flats
You can forget about all the stresses/routines of life and completely lose yourself in the adventure of this paddle. It is quite isolated / remote / Wilderness paddle – so you won’t see any roads till the finish line.
This is the perfect opportunity for an ocean paddler to try their first rapids race.
There are deep pools followed by shallow gravel races make for a rush of adrenaline at each of the grade 1 and 2 rapids. This paddle is great even when river levels are low as its mainly the speed of the gravel races that change. When in low river levels we sat in a couple of the rapids with no paddling holding 12kmph based on the speed of the rapids alone.
A gravel race is one of the least technical features in that the river is simply narrowed and water shoots down faster but there are no major large rocks or features to need to twist and turn. These Gravel races are simple to run in that you simply aim the nose down into the moving water (aiming for the bumpiest water surface) and all will be fine. A couple of the rapids have easier slower and less obstructed lines as well as faster but riskier lines which will be marked for your ease come event weekend.
Hot tip! switch out that Ocean rudder for something much smaller and preferably a trailing rudder. The Gravel races get around 3 to 4 inches deep in sections so its juts smart to avoid the risk and fit a kick up rudder or similar. OR by an Old tk1, or racing k1 you can bash around a bit perhaps fit a light spray skirt to avoid splashes of water getting in. Other options could include a plastic ski like a spirit racing ski, PRS or Fury or if you want a custom Ski for the Job Grafton Paddle sports has a few tried and true boats that have won events of this nature before.
ULTRA COURSE – Distance 20km (feels like 15-18km depending on flow) 2 hr
Location Start: Lillydale Bridge, Winegrove road
Location Finish: Copmanhurst Riverbank, Lawrence St Copmanhurst (Just off Grafton -Tambulan Rd)
Date: 26th November
Time: 10:30am
Course description
Deep pools followed by shallow gravel races make for a rush of adrenaline at each of the grade 1 and 2 rapids. This paddle is great even when river levels are low as its mainly the speed of the gravel races that change. When in low river levels we sat in a couple of the rapids with no paddling holding 12kmph based on the speed of the rapids alone.
A gravel race is one of the least technical features in that the river is simply narrowed and water shoots down faster but there are no major large rocks or features to need to twist and turn. These Gravel races are simple to run in that you simply aim the nose down into the moving water (aiming for the bumpiest water surface) and all will be fine. A couple of the rapids have easier slower and less obstructed lines as well as faster but riskier lines which will be marked for your ease come event weekend.
This is the perfect opportunity for an ocean paddler or flat water paddler to try their first rapids race.
ENDURO COURSE – Distance 9km 1 hr
Location Start: Clarence river Medium Course start (private property off Amos lane Upper Copmanhurst follow signs to start line)
Location Finish: Copmanhurst Riverbank, Lawrence St Copmanhurst (Just off Grafton -Tambulan Rd)
Date: 26th November
Time: 11:15am
Course description
This is a perfect opportunity for those competitors who love the bike and run legs but not as confident on the paddle to choose the slightly less technical paddling leg. All paddlers will be able to achieve this leg, with the more skilled paddlers able to complete it faster, using the gravel races to move ahead.
TASTE & JUNIOR COURSE – Distance 2km
Location Start/ Finish: Copmanhurst Riverbank, Lawrence St Copmanhurst (Just off Grafton -Tambulan Rd)
Date: 26th November
Time: 11:40 am
Course description
If you are new to the sport, have children to get involved or paddling isn’t your best leg, but you still want to give it a go then this is for you. 2km is a perfect distance to have a bit of fun, and push yourself, but not need all of the endurance and technical skill of the ULTRA & ENDURO options. Expect it to take between 10 & 20 minutes for most paddlers.
All forms of kayaks welcomed here from wide sit on plastics to sleek river and ocean racers, there is no rapids sections in this distance of the race so a surf rudder will be fine to use :)
Registrations are OPEN