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event information |
to view and purchase 2010 event photos visit www.bsnsportsonline.com.au |
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e CATEGORIES:
(full 15km course)
(9km
course)
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event information RULES AND REGULATIONS Download a copy of the 2010 Rules and Regulations (PDF 453KB) COURSE DETAILS:
The race will start approximately three kilometres from the centre of Capel along Mallokup Road. The Capel Descent incorporates just over 7.5km of the Capel River followed by a 7km (or 2.5 km for Novices) Ocean paddle. The first 1.5km of the race is fairly narrow with a few fallen trees to navigate around and possibly over depending on the River level. Overtaking will be difficult here. For the following 3.5km the river widens out and meanders its way through fields filled with dairy cows, ducks and black swans. In many places the river is wide enough for several craft, and if you’d rather have an enjoyable paddle with your friends instead of creating records this is the stage for you. Passing under Mallokup Bridge, you can see the concrete floodgate wall in front of you. Depending on river and ocean levels, this can be anything from a seamless transition to a 80cm sheer drop. The safest place to shoot the wall is on the right hand side lining up with the downstream river bank. There are powerful eddies here and caution should be paramount. A rescue boat will be in attendance should you get into trouble. A compulsory portage for youth and fun craft is on the left hand bank 10m before the floodgate. The next 2km will probably be the fastest section of the entire course. The river is arrow straight and sheltered from most wind directions. This section finishes with an S bend which gathers speed before it pumps out into the Indian Ocean. The river mouth is usually only a few metres wide and the current can be travelling at over 15km/h.
As soon as you make it through the surf you need to turn right and head northwards to the first turn around buoy 600m away. Make sure you keep this marker on your left hand side as you then turn towards the Southern marker buoys. You will pass Peppermint Grove Beach (the finish line) on the way to the southern turn-around buoys. Make sure you keep both Southern buoys on your left hand side as you turn around and head back to the finish at Peppermint Grove Beach. You must pass between the two marker buoys close to the finish line before tackling the final beach approach. Be very careful that your craft doesn’t nose dive into the beach. The finish line is a quick 20m sprint up the beach underneath the finishing arch. Your time does not stop until you cross this line. |
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The
Ocean can be very unpredictable, particularly in the face of a
Winter North Westerly. For the competitors doing the 9km course, you
can head straight for the finish line from here. For the brave souls
tackling the 14km race, you are probably less than half way in terms
of paddling time. 
The Capel Descent is a fundraising event
for the Apex Club of Capel inc. All proceeds from registration fees go
towards helping us continue to serve the local Capel community through
volunteer work, provision of equipment, services and labour, as well as
organisation and assistance with activities and events that help foster
community spirit.