THIS year’s Avon Descent is particularly special for Northam power dinghy competitor Bradley Watson, as he takes to the course for the 20th time in as many years.
The race veteran competed with his father Neville for 14 years, and will now attempt the course with relative newcomer Sheri Thomas.
Sheri has competed in the Avon Descent just once before, but is looking forward to her second go at the world’s longest white water event.
Even an unpleasant experience at a qualifying event in Bridgetown wasn’t enough to dissuade the adventurous pair.
“The boat tipped and we were both stuck underneath,” Bradley said.
“In 20 years of racing that has never happened to me, so it can be unpredictable, but the Avon Descent is the main race of the racing calendar and there’s no way we were going to miss it.”
The Northam local said there was always a chance of damage to the boat, but that was all part of the race.
“You do have big stacks because you are going around 60 kilometres an hour,” he said.
“The valley on the second day is usually the most difficult; there are plenty of unnamed rapids there.”
Bradley has had a strong track record with past events, reaching the finish in third spot last year, and coming in second by just 14 seconds in 2005.
“I’m usually at the pointy end – I’ve finished 15 in a row,” he said.
“I think that comes with experience, but I don’t go in it to win it,” he said.
