Perth Voice Interactive

MORE than 300 adrenaline seekers braved the wild weather at the choppier-than-usual Avon Descent last weekend

The thrilling 124 kilometre whitewater race from Northam to Bayswater is WA’s second-longest running sporting event, and over the last 44 years more than 35,000 competitors have taken part.

At this year’s event 154 canoeists, paddlers and kayakers managed to finish the race in challenging conditions.

Josh Kippin won the single marathon kayak race and Sam Pilton was the highest finishing female, coming fourth in the single kayaker category.

Bayswater council hosted a Family Fun Day event at the Riverside Gardens finish line, and mayor Dan Bull says it was fantastic to see so many people turn out.

“I would like to congratulate the competitors who braved the wild weather and took part in the Avon Descent over the weekend,” he told the Voice.

“It was a very exciting race – one of the fastest we’ve seen in several years.”

by MOLLY SCHMIDT