LCRKers and the 2018 Hawkesbury Canoe Classic
- Hawkesbury Canoe Classic home page
- HCC 2018 ENTRIES - open NOW
- 2018 HCC Training Paddle Reports
- 2006-2017 Results Chart, 2018 Pace Guide
- Details of Club Support at key checkpoints
- Preparation advice and articles
- Maps for paddler and support crew
- HCC Facebook Chat Group
- HCC Flyover Video (6 minute version)
- LCRK HCC 2017 Race Report
- LCRK Pictures from 2017 HCC on Flickr
- 2017 Finish line candid video commentary on Youtube
- LCRK's 2017 Hawkesbury Classic Pages
Lane Cove River Kayakers are building a team (40+ boats) to tackle the 2018 HCC
With a long history supporting the event and with LCRK holding a good number of the HCC race records, we are very keen to again put in a strong performance. If you are contemplating taking on the event, then think about joining the Lane Cove River Kayakers team.
- Our weekly 6:30pm time trials (6/9/12km) give you invaluable night time paddling experience,
- Members have access to (free) organised HCC training paddles covering the HCC course and other courses.
- Members include experienced HCC, marathon and ultramarathon paddlers - willing to share, advise and motivate. A series of HCC Workshops are provided after some of our Wed night Time Trials.
- LCRK has a wealth of HCC information/tips/and resources built over many many years.
- LCRK will be providing support crew and Club camaraderie at the various scheduled stops of the HCC.
- The Hawkesbury Canoe Classic primarily supports the Arrow Bone Marrow Transplant Foundation, and every LCRK entry and the associated fundraising activity helps this great cause.
HCC Dates: Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 October 2018
'The Classic' was Started by NSW Outward Bound Ex Students Association in 1977. It now always runs overnight at the end of October (to fit with school terms) starting at Windsor and finishes at Mooney Mooney. In 1977 the race had 250 paddlers and raised $8,500 for the Arrow Foundation. In 2016 the 40th anniversary of the race, some 500 paddlers took part with fundraising approaching $200,000. Those paddlers just wanting to have a fun and social evening can enter the Brooklyn or Bust or Dash classes whilst the more competitive paddlers challenge themselves to beat previous records or their own PB's.
Above: LCRKers Paddlers and Support Crew at the 2017 HCC
HCC 2018 Tides and Weather and Moon
The conditions for 2018 (at least from a moonlight and tide perspective) are likely to see a high tide at Windsor at ~16:00 on Sat 27 Oct, a low tide at Wisemans Ferry at 19:30 in the evening noting the current change will have a bit of a lag [please check this for yourself!]. There'll be a big moon rising (~10pm on Saturday) and the tides will be correspondingly high.
Above: 2018 tides and moon (weather tba)
LCRKers at the 2018 HCC - Definites and Probables in random order
LCRK Paddler | HCC/Dash? | Class | Age Div | Boat | Start p.m. | Record | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Richard Barnes (SU) & Chris Stanley | HCC | BoB2 | Mirage 730 | |||
2 | Wendy, Jana, Kerrie & Anjie | HCC | K4 | l40+ | Club K4 | ||
3 | James Pralija | HCC | ORS1 | Open | Think Ion | ||
4 | John Duffy | HCC | BoB1 | (50+) | Sonic | ||
5 | Suzie Rhydderch & Mitch Coffey | HCC | Mix UN2 | Open | Carb. Blast Ski | ||
6 | Peter Fitzgerald & Brendan Trewartha | HCC | UN2 | 40+? | Epic V10 Double ski | ||
7 | Mark Hempel and Caroline Marchner | HCC | Mix UN2 | Epic V10 Double ski | |||
8 | Tony Hystek | HCC | UN1 | 60+ | K-Pro Vampire | ||
9 | Jeremy Spear | HCC | ORS1 | 50+ | Carb. Vault | ||
10 | Ruby Ardren | HCC | K1 | 40+ | Vajda Voyager | ||
11 | Kenji Ogawa & Luke Keanan Brown | HCC | BoB2 | Pittarak | |||
12 | Trevor Nichols | HCC | ORS1 | ? | Epic V10 | ||
13 | Darren Williams | HCC | BoB1 | (50+) | Epic V10S | ||
14 | Craig Salkeld | HCC | BoB1 | (50+) | Epic V10 | ||
15 | Tom Simmat | HCC | ? | 70+ | ? | ||
16 | Naomi Johnson, Sophie Wallace | HCC | K2 | Open | Club K2 | ||
17 | Robert Llewellyn-Jones | HCC | ORS1 | 60+ | Carb. Vault | ||
18 | Rich Yates & Duncan Johnstone | HCC | UN2 | 50+? | Slade Supersonic | ||
19 | David Young | HCC | ORS1 | 50+ | Epic V14 | ||
20 | Peter Manley | HCC | ORS1 | 50+ | Epic V12 | ||
21 | Rodrigo Matamala | HCC | K1 | Open | Vajda | ||
22 | Nick Blacklock | Bob? | - | - | Slade Flash | ||
23 | Seth Berrange | HCC | ORS1 | open | Fenn Elite | ||
24 | Gareth Stokes & Peter Faherty (SSCC?) | HCC | UN2 | Open | Slade Supersonic | ||
25 | Don Johnstone | HCC | ORS1 | 50+ | Stellar SEL | ||
26 | Chris Thompson | HCC | BoB1 | (50+) | Mirage 580 | ||
27 | Merridy Huxley | HCC | LR1 | 60+? | SLR1? | ||
28 | Warren Huxley | HCC | BoB1 | (60+) | Elliott Matador | ||
29 | Rae Duffy & Alison Curtin | HCC | K2 | 40+ | ?? | ||
30 | Kathy Miller | HCC? | BoB? | - | Mirage |
Club Support
2018 HCC 'Calculator'
LCRK is please to provide this Microsoft Excel based 'calculator' which is preloaded with HCC 2018 Tides all the way up to Windsor and incorporating associated tidal and riverine flows (all other things being equal which they never are!!). To use, download the tool, open up Excel, adjust ONLY the yellow shaded cells ie:-
- Update your Windsor start time
- Update your expected base speed (either constant for whole 100km, or you can slow yourself down as your energy flags)
- Adjust your expected stop time (eg if it's 1/2hr then enter as =0.5/24 to keep excel happy!)
- The calculator will then derive your ETA at respective checkpoints, including adjustments for current.
- The course map (separate worksheet) will be automatically updated and can be printed out on a single A4 page for you &/or your landcrew.
- Print out different versions eg at 9km/h, 10km/h, 11km/h base speed - you'll know by your first stop which one you should be using!
- How do you work out your base speed? See Tom Holloway's excellent article for more detail but he recommends assuming you paddle at 90% of your time trial speed. Stops are additional as are delays waiting for one or more car ferries. Your average speed overall will probably be around 85% of your time trial speed, all else being equal. See: http://www.lcrk.org.au/pmwiki/uploads/Main/HowFast_HCC.pdf
- Note that whilst there's a bit of science behind this tool - there are many other important variables in play including wind, river knowledge, washriding etc - which can make the tool a bit of sideshow. Use the tool in conjunction with ALL your planning.
Above: Calculator produces prepopulated map showing ETA's
For those wanting more detail. The new calculator identifies tides at Fort Denison (HH, LL, H, L), then adjusts that tide all the way up to Windsor some 5-7 hours later. Current patterns have been modelled for 4 sections of the river (between stops) using data from MHL, DPW etc. Your ETA at a particular checkpoint is adjusted based on your base paddle speed and the anticipated current at the time you are travelling. Short or long stops will affect the tide you catch (or are caught by). Further fine tuning CAN be done - but no point over-engineering it, you might be affected by winds, unplanned swims etc. Good luck!
LCRK Training Paddles
LCRK always provides a series of training paddles to prepare for the HCC. The set below are ALL on sections of the Hawkesbury River. The early starts are aimed to pretty much match the tidal conditions you will experience on the Hawkesbury - and get a head start avoiding too much river traffic (ie powerboats etc).
Sunday 29th July - Sackville to Wiseman's. Briefing: 7:30am First Start: 7:45am.
TIDE Sackville 07:15am LOW
- HCC Training Paddle #1 Report
- Details for 180729 Training Paddle (1 page PDF)
- Willy Weather Sackville
- LCRK Flickr Pix from Paddle #1
'Sunday 19th August - Windsor to Sackville. Start:
TIDES: Windsor HIGH at 07:33am (1.21m) LOW at Sackville at 12:13pm (.6m)
- HCC Training Paddle #2 Report
- Relive Video track of the paddle (thanks Rich!)
- Details for 180819 Training Paddle (1 page PDF)
- Willy Weather Windsor
- LCRK Flickr Pix from Paddle #2
Sunday 7th October Wiseman's to FINISH.
At Windsor - From 10am to 5pm
Above: Wisemans Ferry Support. Photo Jana Osvald 2015
- LCRK Marquee for shade and meeting point
- Club shirts and caps for sale
- Issue paddler, start list and contact list
- Experts to offer advice, smiles and positive vibes
- Group photo 2:30PM (Be at the LCRK marquee at 2:25pm)
- Mandatory race briefing is at tba pm
- Marquee will be moved to Wisemans at 5:30pm
At Sackville - from 6:30pm until last LCRK paddler through
- Radio warning to your land crew of your approach
- Illuminated LCRK sign to identify our shared meeting point
- Shared land crew support in landing and re-launching each paddler
- Informal tracking of LCRK craft passing through\\Reminder to paddlers to check out at 2nd Sackville checkpoint
At Wisemans - from 8:30pm until last paddler through
- LCRK meeting point 40 metres downriver from main launching ramp (see photos below - look for the red electronic timing board used for our Time Trials)
- LCRK marquee
- Free catering for LCRK land crew and social HCC paddlers (thanks Tony Carr!)
- Informal tracking of LCRK craft passing through
- Club support for land crews in landing and re-launching their paddlers
- Reminder to paddlers to check out at 2nd Wiseman's checkpoint.
Low Tide Pit-Stop
If you need a last stop on your down-river run and succumb to the "sirens", you will, as usual, be offered smiles, "mud angel" landing and re-launching services, sometimes "paddle through" service; fire for warmth; smiles; hot food and drink; and more smiles - this is not a club facility but a wonderful service volunteered annually to all participants. Remember the location this year is about half a kilometre upstream from its old spot –it is at a boat ramp (= less mud!)
Preparation Reading
General Advice
- Tips for First Timers by Paul van Koesveld
- Race Strategy by Rob Vallis
- Race Strategy by Graeme Jeffries
- Race Tactics 2013 by Tom Simmatt
- LCRK Seminar Takeaways 2013
- Race Rules by Roger Deane
- Pace Guide: How Fast Can You paddle the Classic by Tom Holloway
- 2006-2017 Results Chart, 2018 Pace Guide
Nutrition
- Ultramarathon Nutrition by Tony Hystek
- Classic Food by Ian Hofstetter
- Nutrition by Vitality Health Services
- Energy management for the Hawkesbury Classic by Phil Geddes
Clothing
Stretching/Injury Prevention
- Basic Stretch Routine by Vitality Health Services
- Injury Prevention by Vitality Health Services
- Stretching Exercises by Matt Blundell
Landcrew Advice
Maps & Planning
Garmin GPX Track
- HCC.zip Unzip, copy into your Garmin, and set to visible using garmin menu.
For planning and safety purposes please note: The HCC is not 111km, it is actually 100km. Also, it does not finish at Brooklyn, it finishes at Mooney Mooney (Deerubbin Reserve)
HCC - Current Class Record Holders
LCRK members past and present currently hold over 20 class records.
Boat | Class | Name | Year | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
K1 | Vet60+ | Tom Simmat | 2009 | 11:09:12 |
K1 | Ladies Vet60+ | Ann Lloyd Green | 2016 | 13:57:29 |
K2 | Vet50+ | Bruce Goodall, Jeremy Spear | 2014 | 9:33:57 |
K4 | Ladies | Margaret Cook, Merridy Huxley, Buzz Powell, Sandra Burwood | 2006 | 9:29:40 |
K4 | Mixed Vet40+ | Margaret Cook, Merridy Huxley, Warren Huxley, Bernard Craggs | 2008 | 10:07:36 |
K4 | Mixed Vet50+ | Margaret Cook, Merridy Huxley, Warren Huxley, Rob Cook | 2010 | 10:18:23 |
K4 | Ladies Vet50+ | Our Rae Duffy with Merridy Huxley, Dee Ratliffe and Clare McArthur | 2013 | 10:53:59 |
TK1 | Ladies | Margaret Cook | 1985 | 10:44:49 |
TK2 | Ladies Vet40+ | Margaret Cook, Merridy Huxley | 2003 | 10:46:04 |
Short Rec | Vet50+ | Tom Simmat | 2007 | 9:58:35 |
Short Rec | Vet60+ | Tom Simmat | 2012 | 10:35:24 |
Med Rec | Open | Toby Hogbin | 2010 | 9:18:22 |
Med Rec | Ladies Vet50+ | Rae Duffy | 2012 | 10:55:09 |
Med Rec | Vet60+ | Tom Simmat | 2010 | 9:54:05 |
Long Rec | Open | Bruce Goodall | 2000 | 9:37:50 |
Long Rec | Ladies Vet50+ | Liz Winn | 2008 | 10:59.33 |
Long Rec | Ladies Vet60+ | Ann Lloyd-Green | 2013 | 14:02:57 |
Long Rec | Vet50+ | Bob Turner | 2014 | 10:02:49 |
Long Rec | Vet60+ | Tom Simmat | 2011 | 9:59:07 |
Long Rec 2 | Mixed | Kristy Benjamin & Bob Turner | 2012 | 8:58:02 |
Rec 2 | Vet40+ | Kenji Ogawa, Genkai So | 2000 | 10:36:34 |
Long Rec 2 | Mixed Vet 50+ | Urs Mader, Arni Mader | 2007 | 10:06:20 |
Ocean Racing Ski | Ladies Vet50+ | Roz Green | 2015 | 12:47:59 |
Ocean Racing Ski | Ladies Vet40+ | Anjie Lees | 2014 | 11:08:12 |
Ocean Racing Ski | Vet40+ | Brendan Trewartha | 2017 | 8:38:47 |
Ocean Racing Ski | Vet60+ | Tony Hystek | 2016 | 9:06:32 |
SSK2 | Mixed Vet40+ | Joy and Rich Robinson | 2015 | 9:28:31 |
Unrestricted | Open | Toby Hogbin | 2012 | 8:18:19 |
Unrestricted | Ladies | Julie Stanton | 2006 | 10:13:30 |
Unrestricted | Ladies Vet40+ | Anjie Lees | 2015 | 11:41:14 |
Unrestricted | Vet60+ | Tom Simmat | 2016 | 10:16:02 |
Unrestricted | Vet70+ | Adrian Clayton | 2017 | 11:54:12 |
Unrestricted 2 | Mixed Vet40+ | Bruce Goodall, Christine Lalor | 2007 | 8:57:57 |
Unrestricted 2 | Mixed Vet50+ | Alanna Ewin, Tony Hystek | 2017 | 8:50:42 |
Unrestricted 2 | Vet50+ | Tony Hystek, Timothy Hookins | 2007 | 8:57:00 |
SSK2 | Mixed Vet40+ | Joy and Rich Robinson | 2016 | 9:05:38 |
HCC - The Whiddon Trophy (Fastest Time)
- 2009 Matt Blundell
- 2010 Matt Blundell
HCC - Participation (incl 2016)
Completed | Name |
---|---|
35 or more | Richard Barnes |
20 or more | Kenji Ogawa |
15 or more | Margaret Cook, Don Rowston, Merridy Huxley, Peter Fitzgerald, Tom Simmat, John Duffy |
10 or more | Martin Dearnley, Bruce Goodall, Rob Vallis, Warren Huxley, Urs Mader, Derek Simmonds |