RE: [Paddlewise] Paddling a Kahuna in the Hawkesbury Classic

From: PeterO <rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au>
Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 06:05:02 +1100
Rick wrote: -
>Can you say a few more words about what the land crew does, and why it's
arduous?

G'Day Rick,
		Thats a really good question. The land crew is a mandatory requirement of
the race for safety reasons. They look after the paddler at rest stops by
providing food and warm changes of clothing if required. They drive along
the paddling route and find parking spots, so they are available at the
checkpoints and the end of the race. This is relatively hard night driving
along a country road. The driving route is much, much longer than the
paddling route. They check the paddlers progress on the relevant notice
boards and are available to pick up the paddler if the paddler can't
continue. They help land the boat at rest stops. And they make sure one of
them gets enough sleep to be able to drive everyone safely home. Its against
the law in NSW to drive while tired - considered at least as dangerous as
driving while drunk. They encourage the paddler. They pack the boat away at
the finish. They help others if others have problems. Its an unglamorous job
and a lot of work and every year theres a competition after the event in
which paddlers may choose to write up the good work done by their crew and
put the write up in for a best landcrew prize.

Thanks for asking and cheers to land crews everywhere.

All the best, PeterO
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Received on Mon Nov 10 2003 - 11:07:33 PST

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