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Yes - it is that time of the year... time to dust off the kevlar ski or kayak, get out the winter woolies and ugg boots..... It's time for the winter ski paddlers around Australia to tackle Northam's Brookfield Multiplex Avon Descent 08 in Western Australia!! It is on the weekend of 2 and 3 August.
 Barrel Roll on the Avon! 2007
Daryl and Brett Bartho and Sven & Deon Bruss have showed their endurance and skills in previous Avon Descents, holding off the Aussies to minor places over the past few years. The event has also seen Clint Robinson and Kirk Jarrott show blistering speed in the teams section being the last Aussie team to get line honors in the event in 2005. Marcus Brockhurst and myself had an epic battle with Daryl and Brett Bartho last year to be beaten by only 1 minute over the 133km course, more than 30min ahead of the rest of the field!
2008 is shaping up to be a great year also. We will see some of the best surf-ski paddlers in the world tackle the event in the teams section this year. They include veteran legend Dean Gardiner, Jeremy Cotter, Caine Eckstein, Matt Reece, Brendon Sarson, Andrew Mosel (Mozzie), Ben Mercer, Reece Baker and Kirk Jarrott. We will also see legends like Guy Leach, Greg Mickle, Muz Hughes and Tank Bennett making the yearly venture to the cold Avon Valley. Last but not least - the legendary "Lighty" (Clint Pretorius) is teaming up with myself (if you can't beat them join them - I say!!).
A big thank you must go to Thiess Kentz Pty Ltd an Australian based Electrical, Engineering and Construction Company for their support of Clint and I, and surf ski in general.
 Proud sponsors of Ash Nesbit & Clint Pretorius
In the individuals section you will see the likes of South African Barry Lewin' doing his first Avon this year after a successful kayak and surf ski tour last season. Locals include Ramon Andersson (Olympic Bronze medalist), Daryl Long who still owns the single record (in a kayak) and surf ski/kayak up and comer Mike (Gollum) Baker - plus a whole host of local paddlers trying to take out the Iron Man prize, it is sure to be an awesome race!!
 Ash Nesbit dices with Daryl Bartho - 2007
The Brookfield Multiplex Avon Descent - Perth 2008 is more than just the longest white water event worldwide, it is now one of the richest paddling races in the world with an extra AU$10.000 cash injected into this year's prize pool making a total of nearly AU$40,000 in cash and AU$ 20,000 in product prizes.
The event is a two-day race over 133 grueling kilometers offering competitors in the individuals, doubles or teams of 2 or 4 sections conditions ranging from long stretches of flat water that can test the endurance of the fittest athlete through to grade 2/3 rapids, sure to test the skills of all who attempt to navigate their unknown and ever changing contours. Come and visit Perth in Western Australia and while you are at it enjoy the race that is the Avon Descent.
 Fun in the rapids...
There are plenty of people including myself that are willing to host international paddlers over the week or weekend of the race, we might even show you the best lines down the rapids!
And by the way - a double surf ski holds the race record at 7hr.13min.48sec - so come Down Under and have a fair dinkum crack at this awesome event!!
I hope you enjoy the photos which are compliments of the Northam's Avon Descent Association.
For more info on the race and for a detailed outline of the prize pool visit http://www.avondescent.com.au/ or email the event manager: the Royal Life Saving Society on
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