Hi Guys,
I've taken a bit of time to consider this whole thing carefully. In conclusion I was surprised that Nigel pulled the plug so quickly. I didn't think the swim leg was as 'exposed' as the kayak leg.
My post on water safety wasn't supposed to topple the thing there and then. It was just meant to be informative and to make everyone aware of what I'd found out.
I feel that the 'team' atmosphere isn't really in it, so I'm going to 'bow out' and concentrate on paddling with the club, and explore some different events.
Goodbye team TEAM
Water safety
Well, what an interesting and informative post by Simon. I must admit that I have taken a couple of days to read through it all and consider the information (damn this jetlag). I am concerned particularly about the comment regarding "water safety" not being up to scratch both this year and in the past. This is not only a concern for the paddler but also for the swimmer who doesn't even have a craft to hold onto! When I did the Busso swim, I did it in the knowledge that the SLS crew were second to none. I also started with 300 plus other swimmers. At Anaconda I could well be swimming alone as there is no wave start. We are talking about the Southern Ocean here and the water safety must be 100% in my opinion. Therefore, based on the information from Simon I have decided not to compete. Water safety is not a decision that I want to make on the day. If I had known that it was reputed to be not up to scratch, I would not have signed up. Sorry guys but open water swimming is not to be sneezed at.
Newsflash!
Hi TEAM members. I hope you have all had an awesome weekend!
On Saturday I was talking with some well respected and experienced kayakers about adventure racing, surf ski races etc. Some interesting comments were made about the Anaconda, past and for the future. The opinion was expressed that the 'water safety' for this years event is not up to the mark, neither has it been in the past.
When I originally thought about getting a team together for this, I was aware that the event was being held off Augusta. I was also aware that this is an inherently windy place: subsequent research indicates that it may well be on average the windiest place in Australia! This info was quickly stored in rear recesses of my mind, in the 'no worries she'll be right box'.
I have been steadily getting into the training and enjoying the paddling, until Saturday. Alarm bells are ringing about this, as the general opinion is that 6 out of 7 days off Augusta do not favour paddlers. A person was heard to say that the event is organised by 'people from the East coast' {or words to that effect!!} who have no idea about conditions off the WA coast. A previous event was sighted where multiple paddlers actually lost thier boats, due to paddling out of the Blackwood River mouth with a strong following current, but into head wind and oncoming waves causing many to go sideways, wipe out and need rescuing. The only rescue craft in use being a handful of jet-skis!. At least one surf ski was missing at sea for several days until eventually being recovered by the navy! Don't know what happened to it's paddler!
This is all about a bit of fun mixed in with adventure. I for one am well up for this, but I am not going to take stupid risks. There is a line in the sand where 'hard man macho paddling hardness' ends, and stupiudity starts . I do not intend to cross that line if I can help it, as I have a wife, a jack-russell and a whippet depending on me for their security!!!
The conversation concluded with the advice that this could well be down to a judgement call on the day. This will obviously be hard especially with the pressure that if I pull out then team TEAM is buggered! Accepting this, if it comes to it and I genuinely believe that excessive risk is going to taken, I WILL 'pull the pin'. {and I strongly suspect others will too}
Hopefully this won't happen and everything will go like clockwork. After all a positive spirit usually sees one through eh?
On a more exciting note I ordered a new boat today!!!!! {Thank you tax return!} Have been training with the cross trainer which is ok, but not fast. You basically expend mucho energy on travelling at a modest speed, but with much stability. The new boat is a 'Spirit PRS ski' for those that are interested. It is 5.7 m long and feels like a formula 1 racing car compared to the old boat. Delivery should be in one to two weeks. {cue for many sleepless nights of excitement, and dreams of paddling amazingly far out and fast canoes !} There will be no excuse now!
Hope you are all ok. Look forward to the meeting soon. Anytime is fine wih us !
On Saturday I was talking with some well respected and experienced kayakers about adventure racing, surf ski races etc. Some interesting comments were made about the Anaconda, past and for the future. The opinion was expressed that the 'water safety' for this years event is not up to the mark, neither has it been in the past.
When I originally thought about getting a team together for this, I was aware that the event was being held off Augusta. I was also aware that this is an inherently windy place: subsequent research indicates that it may well be on average the windiest place in Australia! This info was quickly stored in rear recesses of my mind, in the 'no worries she'll be right box'.
I have been steadily getting into the training and enjoying the paddling, until Saturday. Alarm bells are ringing about this, as the general opinion is that 6 out of 7 days off Augusta do not favour paddlers. A person was heard to say that the event is organised by 'people from the East coast' {or words to that effect!!} who have no idea about conditions off the WA coast. A previous event was sighted where multiple paddlers actually lost thier boats, due to paddling out of the Blackwood River mouth with a strong following current, but into head wind and oncoming waves causing many to go sideways, wipe out and need rescuing. The only rescue craft in use being a handful of jet-skis!. At least one surf ski was missing at sea for several days until eventually being recovered by the navy! Don't know what happened to it's paddler!
This is all about a bit of fun mixed in with adventure. I for one am well up for this, but I am not going to take stupid risks. There is a line in the sand where 'hard man macho paddling hardness' ends, and stupiudity starts . I do not intend to cross that line if I can help it, as I have a wife, a jack-russell and a whippet depending on me for their security!!!
The conversation concluded with the advice that this could well be down to a judgement call on the day. This will obviously be hard especially with the pressure that if I pull out then team TEAM is buggered! Accepting this, if it comes to it and I genuinely believe that excessive risk is going to taken, I WILL 'pull the pin'. {and I strongly suspect others will too}
Hopefully this won't happen and everything will go like clockwork. After all a positive spirit usually sees one through eh?
On a more exciting note I ordered a new boat today!!!!! {Thank you tax return!} Have been training with the cross trainer which is ok, but not fast. You basically expend mucho energy on travelling at a modest speed, but with much stability. The new boat is a 'Spirit PRS ski' for those that are interested. It is 5.7 m long and feels like a formula 1 racing car compared to the old boat. Delivery should be in one to two weeks. {cue for many sleepless nights of excitement, and dreams of paddling amazingly far out and fast canoes !} There will be no excuse now!
Hope you are all ok. Look forward to the meeting soon. Anytime is fine wih us !
Beddie Byes
Hello All,
I have had the cold from hell this week and have not really felt like doing too much. Weather crap as well. That's two excuses.
Re meet up on the 20th Callum, like every other small person his ages, crashes and burns around midday, usually before. So if we meet at 11.00 I am going to be looking at my watch and thinking about taking him home and putting him to beddy byes about half an hour later. So the earlier we can make it the better for me really. What's the earliest people are prepared to make it?
Cheers
Andy
I have had the cold from hell this week and have not really felt like doing too much. Weather crap as well. That's two excuses.
Re meet up on the 20th Callum, like every other small person his ages, crashes and burns around midday, usually before. So if we meet at 11.00 I am going to be looking at my watch and thinking about taking him home and putting him to beddy byes about half an hour later. So the earlier we can make it the better for me really. What's the earliest people are prepared to make it?
Cheers
Andy
Comments
Have now changed settings so all of you get emailed with comments attached to posts. All good for the 20th around 11am from our camp. South Perth is fine also. Look forward to it!
Missing the comments.....
Hi All,
I don't seem to get notified when someone has posted a comment....mmmm, I did on TEAM SLOW blog-any ideas what to do to get these notifications ?
20th is great. I think Andy meant South Perth foreshore-is that right Andy ? We don't mind-no difference to us ! And yes, bringing the 4 legged friends is a great idea Mandy !!
Andy-would 11am suit at your little chap ? BBQ or picnic ?
I don't seem to get notified when someone has posted a comment....mmmm, I did on TEAM SLOW blog-any ideas what to do to get these notifications ?
20th is great. I think Andy meant South Perth foreshore-is that right Andy ? We don't mind-no difference to us ! And yes, bringing the 4 legged friends is a great idea Mandy !!
Andy-would 11am suit at your little chap ? BBQ or picnic ?
Meet up details for the 20th
Hey everyone........ hope you are having a good week! Not good training weather eh?
So... everyone is free for a meet on the 20th (see comment by Sean to my last post if you missed it). The only other thing left to do is pick the foreshore venue and a time. Seems that Sean will be free around 11ish or just after.
Mandy
So... everyone is free for a meet on the 20th (see comment by Sean to my last post if you missed it). The only other thing left to do is pick the foreshore venue and a time. Seems that Sean will be free around 11ish or just after.
Mandy
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