Fluid Kayaks Team

I flew into Melbourne airport mid last week from Bangkok, I had just enough time to see a couple of friends, give my mum a kiss and pack a bag before I flew out again to the Australian island state of Tasmania.

Every year, Leigh Wighton from Kayak4play (the Australian importer of Fluid) puts on an amazing extreme race on the Lea River in North East Tassie. This year was no exception. With a record-breaking turn out and sunny days the event went off without a hitch. The average race time down the Lea is around 10-12 minutes, The Lea its self is a friendly class 3-4 run full of little drops and slides. Once again the winners for the event were Dan and Booga, these locals are incredibly fit and know the run like that back of their hands. Well done again boys!

The day after the race my paddling partner and Laos trip member Sean Boz and I headed off to paddle the Leven Canyon. This section of water is the best run I have ever paddled in Australia and its rates very highly as one of my favourite runs in the world.

The canyon starts with a section of steep continuous grade 3-4 which is on the high side of read and run. After turning the corner and checking your surroundings you find your self deep and committed in a stunning Australian Gorge, Kookaburras laughing and all. The river then drops off a trickly slot 10 foot drop, which then leads into a slide, then a 20 foot water fall, then a 40 footer. Clean drops and easy lines. Beautiful!

The Australia summer is now approaching and the river are drying up fast, luckily I came home to a shinny new Fluid Element and my old Subaru, so expect some big wave Australian Surf updates soon.

Cheers

Lachlan Carracher