Report compiled by Naomi Johnson

Page Contents...
* Gearing up for the 40th Hawkesbury Classic	* Wonderful Volunteers!
* Honours, Records and Results	* Stories
* Dashing to Wisemans	* The PHAMS hydration system
* Wisemans Checkpoint	* The Famil Reports
* Lights in the water	* LCRK Pictures from 2016 HCC on Flickr
* Fundraising - meet the SHOcKers	* Youtube footage of finish (thanks Tim Hookins)

Gearing up for the 40th

• The anniversary edition of the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic saw over 500 paddlers at the start line.
• 299 paddlers in 213 boats completed the full 111km race, while 87 paddlers in 28 boats completed the inaugural 65km Wisemans Dash.
• Lane Cove fielded a team of 56 club paddlers in 45 boats to tackle the full distance. Another 11 paddlers in 7 boats christened the inaugural Wisemans Dash.
• While Richard Barnes tops the Lane Cove record charts with now 36 Classics to date, the club also saw 10 paddlers take on the full 111km for the first time, and several newbies in the Dash.
• A record total of 82 LCRKers were actively involved in the Classic as either paddlers or landcrew.
• Classic and Dash paddlers raised $157011 for the Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation.
• Dragon Boats were a new sight in this year's Classic. Three boats tackled the Wisemans Dash, and at least one crew got out for a picnic at Sackville!
  

back to top...

Lane Cove Hawkesbury Heroes - 2016 Results

The HCC BBQ on Wednesday 2nd November saw the presentation of two perpetual trophies. Glen Orchard took out the trophy for fastest Lane Cove paddler, sailing in with a blistering time of 8:51:12 (yes, that was full distance). He beat his own previous record in the Men's Vet 40+ ORS1 by just 23 seconds! At the Wednesday BBQ, Glen hinted at his reasons for setting such a cracking pace: "There's no way I could sit on a cushion for 18 hours!"

Not far behind him, Tony Hystek was the fastest Lane Cover on handicap, with a time of 9:06:32, becoming 9:11:59 with the handicap factor. Tony's words of wisdom on the race were that "things that are bad start with a B – like blackness." Yet a dark night didn't stop him in setting and a new record in the Men's Vet 60+ ORS1.

A further three records were broken by Lane Cove paddlers, with Tom Simmat, David Young and the duo of Joy and Richard Robinson joining Glen and Tony on the honours list. Tom Simmat took a whopping 35:16 off the previous record in the Men's Vet 60+ UN1 class. Meanwhile, David Young put in a monumental effort to beat his own Men's Vet 50+ ORS1 record by 20 minutes, only to find that another paddler had gone another 20 minutes faster again. Adrian Clayton and Ann Lloyd-Green set brand new records in the Men's Vet 70+ UN1 (yet to be ratified) and Ladies Vet 60+ K1 classes respectively. Adrian had his sights set on being the first Vet 70+ paddler over the line. He confessed some relief when he found that Phil Geddes stopped at Wisemans, leaving him the only one on the water! Ann says that "I started [paddling] when I was 60 and still want to do it at 70", so we'll be on the lookout for further records there.

Below is a summary of the results in finish order (competitive classes first).

back to top...

Dashing to Wisemans

The 40th anniversary of the Classic saw a new race added into the mix. Alongside the full 111km course, paddlers could also register for the Wisemans Dash, a 65km (59.7km by Lane Cove's reckoning) race to the night's second major checkpoint. This isn't the first time that a short course has been offered – at the very first classic in 1977 paddlers could start at Wisemans Ferry early on the Sunday morning and paddle 45kms to finish at Brooklyn. With a race from Windsor to Wisemans, however, comes all the fun of the start, a few hours of daylight, and the challenge of finishing before midnight! The Wisemans Dash proved popular with veterans and newbies alike, with a total of 33 boats taking on the challenge, seven of them from Lane Cove.

Lane Cove paddlers were once again the ones to watch, with Toby Hogbin/Andrew Love and Matt Blundell setting off at a cracking pace. The jury's out on whether they were dashing or just sprinting the whole way, but they arrived at Wisemans in official (rounded) times of 4:45:00 and 4:46:00 respectively. To the naked eye, the difference was a matter of centimetres, and the paddlers have set a strong precedent for the race in the future.

back to top...

Wisemans Checkpoint

The Wisemans Ferry Checkpoint for LCRK has for some years now been a well-resourced location and this year was no exception. It was a particularly mild night earlier on, with temperatures expected to only drop to the mid-teens overnight. The first paddlers were not due in till after 9:30pm and the LCRK facilities were all set up and ready to go before 7:30pm. Andrew Mackay and wife Joanne had set up the ‘ restaurant’ with a wide range of food including hamburgers, skewers, egg & bacon rolls, steak sandwiches, soup and broth and tea and coffee. The effort that had clearly gone into planning and preparation was well in evidence – and much appreciated by everyone. Ross Fraser and Ken Holmes, having packed up a trailer load (and more) of gear at Windsor had arrived at Wisemans and completed the set up. There was a light tower of sportsground proportions, the obligatory timing board, and a large well lit gazebo for ministrations and administration – complete with camp bed for those needing a powernap. Thanks to Tony Hystek/Alanna Ewin and Action Sound for supplying much of the professional equipment and the team transporting it.

The next hour or two saw the steady arrival of landcrew coming through from Sackville, setting up their base around the perimeter of the site and tucking into the food service. Sue Fraser and Meg Holmes also arrived to help out with checking off paddlers as did John Greathead and Tony Walker supplementing the on ground support.

The arrivals ‘ beach’ had effectively disappeared about 8pm under a rising tide (high tide at ~11pm) with just sufficient time to relocate stray rocks and obvious trip hazards. The mudlarkers Ross and Ken kitted themselves up for the thigh high experience and Kyle Wilson arrived ready for action in his ‘ duck hunting season’ waders. The faster paddlers started arriving from 9:30pm, keen to replenish, change their kit, and get back out on the water as quickly as possible

The frequency of arrivals started building up from 10:30 to 11:30 and the beach started resembling a busy valet parking service. Arriving paddlers were warned “don’ t get out, don’ t get out, it’ s deep” and were ushered in closer to the shore for a more decorous exit (well at least for some). With many hands at the ready, no paddlers went for an unnecessary swim – and were safely guided to the somewhat tricky shore exit point. With the by now higher tide, the adjoining reed bank provided a very handy on-water parking facility vastly improving the efficiency with which paddlers could get back on their journey. Boats swiftly disappeared into the reeds and mysteriously reappeared just at the right time. Great job guys!

Don Rowston, was once again offering therapeutic massage to any feeling the pain - and there was a ready supply of paddlers in pain. Some paddlers were also tended to at the HCC medical tent – one exchange was along the lines of “Where’s Sophie?” “She’s gone to the medical tent for her hands”“You’re kidding, she’s getting her nails done??”

As is always the case, landcrew waiting on their arriving paddler were invariably chipping in and helping other paddlers in and out of the water. Every paddler was getting a rousing round of applause as they departed once again into the darkness – no doubt lifting their spirits. The LCRK base was actually better lit than much of the surrounding area and many passing paddlers called out their boat numbers thinking we might be the ‘ out’ checkpoint.

As the paddlers were steadily checked off, the tide was steadily dropping away revealing the well worked beach. Packing up of all the gear was done (thanks to Andrew, Joanne, Ken and Ross) after a hard nights work.

Thanks to everyone at the Wisemans Checkpoint – those based there, those who came for their paddlers and paddlers just passing through or passing out.

back to top...

Lights in the Water

No, nobody was hallucinating. In the final section of this year's race the water appeared to glow, streaming off the front of boats and fracturing intoshards of gold with the slightest touch of a paddle. For the most part it seemed to be a hit with LCRKers in the last hours of the race, with several saying that was all that kept them going to the finish line! The only notable exception was Tony, who was heard at Mooney Mooney declaring that "those lights were damn annoying, I couldn't take my eyes off them."

The cause of this is algae in the water, although some amateur detective work by the Johnson sisters suggesting that it might be the plankton genus Tompteris. The effect is quite rare – paddlers completing the Hawkesbury multiple times may only have seen the phosphorescent glow once or twice. Ruby Ardren revealed that an underlying factor was poor quality in the Hawkesbury river at the time, and suggested that we don't eat shellfish from the area for a while. Anjie Lees, on the other hand, cites it as one of her major motivations for starting the race each year: "it's my own private fireworks display on the water."

back to top...

SHOcKers raise over $15.5k

The "SHOcKers" were out in force for the 40th anniversary classic, with paddlers Peter Fitzgerald, Darren Williams, Craig Salkeld and Graham Cleland each setting out in a single for the full 111kms. The team had already done a sterling effort, though, before even arriving at the start line, raising over $15.5k for the Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation. This brings their total to a whopping $197k since 1998.

back to top...

Volunteers

To all the Lane Cove landcrew, both those from the club and those who came in support of one particular person. You cheered and smiled, ministered drinks and bananas. You made sure we hit the mark at Sackville, then pulled us out of deep water at Wisemans. You asked us how we were feeling, showered us with words of encouragement, and never questioned our sanity in undertaking such an epic race...or at least not while we could hear you! For better or worse you documented it all, taking photo after beautiful photo as the night descended. Paddling the Classic is hard work, but you made it a fantastic and much easier night. Thank you!

Below are just some of the volunteers who helped out before during or after the HCC. Apologies if your name is not shown - as mentioned above there were some 82 Members involved on and off the water, some with multiple roles.

• Windsor Transport/Setup: Jeff & Laura Hosnell, Tony Carr
• HCC Marshalling: John Greathead, Tony Walker
• Photos: Jana Osvald, Nigel Colless, Ian Wrenford, Oscar Cahill
• Masseur & Sackville checkpoint coordinator: Don Rowston
• Sackville boat handler: Peter Harris
• Wisemans Transport and set up: Ross Fraser, Ken Holmes
• Wisemans set up and catering: Andrew and Joanne Mackay
• Wisemans light/sound/shelter: Action Sound, Tony Hystek & Alanna Ewin
• Checklist/spotters: Louise White, Nettie Harris, Sue Fraser, Meg Holmes
• Wisemans Mud larks & Valet Parking: Ross Fraser, Ken Holmes, Kyle Wilson
• Liberi: Tony Carr, Tim McNamara, John Greathead, Tony Walker
• Finish welcomers/spotters: Tim Hookins, Oscar Cahill, Jeff Tonazzi
• Video: Tim Hookins
• Famils: Duncan Johnstone and Tom Simmat
• River Guru, Tactician, Dark Arts: Tom Simmat
• General Coordination and hasslers: Paul van Koesveld, Ruby Gamble, Ruby Ardren, Ian Wrenford

back to top...

LCRKers Stories

At the post HCC BBQ - LCRKers regaled us with many stories, and more extensive contributions have also been provided. You'll have to read them in the full report (PDF 21 pages, 3MB - see links at top of page). It was a great effort by so many LCRKers and the report gives a sample of just some of the paddlers experiences on the night. Unfortunately it is not possible to cover all 65 paddlers in detail but your contribution to a great club effort is certainly recognised in the results and acknowledged by your fellow paddlers.

Here's a few extra teasers on what you'll find in the main report in the form of quotable quotes:

• I realised that the cool dip had completely woken me up, so I paddled hard and fast for the last hour and a half
• With good sportsmanship, they waited till I too launched myself at the same tree
• Over at LCRK, all was silent and deserted. The flying fleet had long since flown. All that remained was one of my landcrew, and a leftover pot of soup.
• I found an SLR2 which had passed checkpoint N twice!"
• I've been down a gold mine, and I've been down a coal mine, but I think the Big W was darker.
• It was a bit disconcerting to be following the pink GPS line across land
• One guy managed to get [his boat] onto a door
• I think I was motivated by fear
• You would see two cyalumes (glow sticks) ahead of you on the river and it was impossible to tell whether it was two boats or one boat sideways
• she has received more nominations for best land crew than Merrill Streep has been nominated for an Oscar
• "Scones, warm fire, hot tea," came the siren call from Pitt Stop. "How are you on AA batteries?" we shouted back
• I’ve also found last minute creative hydration solutions to be a great distraction from pre-Classic anxiety and dread
• I blew so hard I almost fell off my boat, yet he didn't even flinch
• F was a perfectly good checkpoint with lovely people and great landcrew access
• I thought I might win a heart
• At the start, my Garmin was set to swimming mode
• he called to a young couple in a double, telling them to follow him, and promptly led all three into a bank
• had "a party on the water" all the way
• To do the Classic without any training whatsoever, with someone you haven't met before in a boat you haven't paddled before is not the best race strategy
• after 50kms I forgot how to steer.
• how many of you have coke and chips at the stops
• He's pulled out at Wisemans before, but he wasn't allowed to this time
• I paddled at 80% and he paddled at 100%, so I just followed along behind
• Out of the blocks like a well stung bee / Leading Toby, Dave and Matty B, / And Jason and Bob in boat 183 / First to the bridge in the HCC

back to top...

PHAMS - The Ultimate Hydration Innovation?

Given the pre-HCC discussion around hydration solutions - our kayakarazzi spotted a boat passing through Cattai with this very sophisticated hydration system. Whilst we are awaiting official confirmation - the set-up would seem to be the little known dual function Paddlers Hydration/Ablutions Marathon System (PHAMS). Detail is not visible in the photo - but apparently the right hand side tank feeds into an intravenous drip. Luckily we're missing important details on the catheter-fed left hand side tank? Whilst no doubt speeding up piste stops, we remain a little dubious as to the repercussions of a capsize, and the associated recovery procedure. Only time will tell if this innovation catches on - maybe a few slashed HCC records?

back to top...

LCRK HCC Famil #1 Report

A frosty, foggy, freezing 2 degrees greeted paddlers at Wiseman's for the start of the first LCRK famil from Wiseman's ('Naughty Wiseman's) to Spencer on Sunday 3 July.

LCRKers included Tony paddling Anjie's Spirit (a training run for the Avon), Alanna (first time on this part of the Hawkesbury), David Veivers and Andrew Kucyper. Also Jason Han and Kim Navera ably assisted by Maya Gibson, Naomi Johnson in her K1 with support crew Frazer (who despite alternator trouble still made it to Spencer), Tom Simmat, and Duncan and Matt who brought up the rear in the only double.
The day actually turned out perfect conditions for everyone - a falling tide, very little wind and minimal boating activity meant we had the river to ourselves to post fast times, or to really get a good idea of this Hawkesbury Classic leg for first timers.

LCRK HCC Famil #2 Report - Sunday 24 July 2016

Sackville to Wiseman’s Ferry – Cold to cool, Sunny at times, windless until approach to Wiseman’s

A resolute group of LCRK kayakers met at the Ulinbawn Water Ski Park at 7:00am today. BRIEF: To tackle the all-important Sackville to Wiseman’s leg AGAINST the tide.

The car shuttle complete Rodney, Paul, James, Phil, Kim, Duncan, Susie, Andrew, Matt, Elke, Rozanne and Jason gathered to receive the all-important briefing for what will be the make or break leg for those doing the full Classic in particular.

2 degrees! Even local farm resident and Ulinbawn Ski Park overseer, Ken, commented on the determined looking bunch of paddlers shuffling from one foot to the other to keep warm as Tom, who incidentally, had dragged himself from his sick bed together with his good “current wife” Christine and four-legged kids, delivered his briefing. Such is the importance our guru places on this leg.

His maps and words proved prophetic and gave all who participated the excellent opportunity to test his theories and put into practice his approach to maintaining good speeds against the incoming tide and making most of the eddies on the bends to make up time on this leg instead of losing it. It also gave us an opportunity to see where the floating pontoons and odd old jetty stakes were that might cause your misfortune on the night as you pursue perfection and hug the river bank to escape the tide.

All in all an excellent practice run. Perfect for what our famils are designed to offer you as you prepare for the Classic.

Note: Anybody interested in Tom’s secret maps and to doing this leg on the night of the 29th October please approach him directly at the Shed.

 
Above: LCRK paddlers and support crew at Sackville

LCRK HCC Famil #3 Report - Sunday 9 October 2016

REPORT COMING SOON! or maybe not

LCRK HCC Famil #4 Report - Sunday 16 October 2016

Mooney Mooney to Spencer and return

Paddlers were greeted with perfect paddling conditions looking out from the Deerubbin Reserve Boat Ramp upstream toward Milsons Passage, which is the final approach to the finish of the Classic.

But according to BOM and Willy Weather this was just the calm before the storm, with 45kmh winds forecast excluding gusts by 9:00am for what is the most unpredictable part of the Classic course.

Fast flowing tides combined with strong winds, often blowing in the opposite direction, combined with boating activity can often make for very bumpy and unsettling conditions even for the most experienced kayaker.

So the decision was taken to shorten the course and look to extend the return paddle to the finish by paddling up into the upper reaches of the Mooney Mooney Creek.

Tom Simmat gave the last of his absolutely invaluable briefings for the two scenarios paddlers are likely to face early in the morning on Sunday week with respect to the tides. The tide is expected to turn against paddlers at 3:00am on Sunday morning.

The group got a pretty good idea of the benefits of hugging the correct shoreline to avoid the incoming tide and maintain good boat speed and where they should place themselves on the river to save energy, use the big eddies and keep moving forward to the finish.

20 kayaks set off up past Bar point with the tide behind them turning at checkpoint O to navigate the incoming tide back around the notorious Bar Point and up through the narrows that is Milsons Passage to the finish.

The group then paddled under Brooklyn Bridge and up Mooney Mooney Creek against the tide and a strengthening wind. All in all the final famil proved to be a difficult and tiring paddling in unsettling conditions which challenged boat balance, the maintenance of good leg drive and, a relaxed stroke in bumpy conditions.

In true Classic fashion, we were thrown a true curved ball and should the weather intervene again on the night it will be how you approach the challenge that will determine how you get through the night.

Thank you to all those LCRK members who supported our Famils this year. I wish you and all our entrants in this years 40th Hawkesbury Classic all the best!

back to top...