Snowy River Extreme Race 2022 — 2 October 2022

After a 2 year gap for COVID-19 the annual Snowy River Extreme Race returned again this year on the Snowy River just below the Guthega power station.  Leigh Richardson and Steve Wild together with Simon and Anne Langsford ventured over for a week paddling and enjoying the area before the main event, the race on Sunday 2^nd Oct.

The Race

The race is divided into Expert (grade 4) and Intermediate (grade 3) divisions and then has categories for kayaking in Open or Women’s, as well as canoeing and rafting. So there is something for everyone. Simon and Leigh teamed up again for the Intermediate kayaking race. Although they didn’t place in the top 3, they had a good run down the course with Leigh picking the route and Simon following.

Thanks to the sponsors, Horizon Line Packraft, Kayak Factory Direct, Electric Water, Paddle Sports Australia and The Kayak Shed for prizes for the winners, plus a host of fantastic prizes in the ‘lucky draw’ which includes everyone who competed or volunteered for the event.

Thanks to Electric Water, Anne received a race hoodie and Simon brought home one of the major sponsor prizes from Kayak Factory Direct – a new Prijon Curve kayak plus spray deck. Now Simon and Leigh have a new boat for next year’s race.

Island Bend

We had set up camp at Island Bend on the river the week before the race. As with all kayaking one is governed by the weather and must also respect the water levels, especially in white-water rivers. Simon, Leigh and Steve started with a warm up run around the camp ground. Simon unfortunately snagged his spray deck on a branch and ended up coming out of his kayak. (The water is about 4^oC- brrrr!)  Leigh managed to collect the kayak in the pool at the end of the rapid and then helped Simon back to shore. Despite Steve checking the bank on both sides and looking down towards the next rapid, Simon’s paddle didn’t reappear. This was unfortunate as it was Anne’s polo paddle that he was using! However, later in the week the paddle was found and in true Snowy Extreme Race comradeship it was returned.

The second warm up run was from the finish line back to camp. This was much more successful. After a rest day, Simon and Leigh practiced the race section of the river. Steve joined them for the last section around the camp ground bend and Anne ran the car shuttle. They arrived happy with their practice run, which included some rolling in a rapid.

The Snowy River Extreme Race is an outstanding event. We would recommend it to any white-water paddler in the club. If you want to learn some white-water skills join the club event at Eildon in January.