More than 300 competitors braved relentless rain and surging river levels as day two of Western Australia’s iconic Avon Descent kicked off. The 124-kilometre white water time trial, stretching from Northam in the Avon Valley to Bayswater in Perth, saw paddlers and power craft battle the elements in one of the most dramatic editions of the race in recent years.
Avon Descent committee chair Greg Kaeding said the weekend’s downpour had boosted participation. “With over 0.7 metre of water in the valley and the last 24 hours of rain, a similar level to 2024 is expected with similar times,” he said. “Over 120 craft will now be attempting the ultra 124-kilometre challenge, up on 2024 numbers, with late short course registrations for Sunday still coming in.”
Among the standout performances, kayaker Luke Dooley claimed his second consecutive singles title, completing the grueling course in 8 hours and 44 minutes. He held his lead from day one to secure the back-to-back win. In the power craft division, Matthew Even and Matthew Thur dominated with a blistering time of 2 hours and 10 minutes.
This year’s event drew 330 competitors nearly double the turnout from 2024—making it one of the largest fields in the race’s history. With more rain forecast, Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Angeline Prasad warned that heavy falls could push river levels even higher for Sunday’s final leg, adding another layer of intensity to an already thrilling weekend.
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