Monday, October 15, 2007

2007 Teva Lea Xstream Race

October 13 and 14th saw the running of the 5th annual Teva Lea Xstream Race, Australia’s longest running extreme kayak race. The Lea River is located in Tasmania’s northwest, nestled in the foothills of the World Heritage Cradle Mountain region. As anyone who has been to Tasmania would know the weather here is somewhat random and we can truly experience 4 seasons in a day and although it was Spring I managed to leave Hobart in the south of the state in brilliant sunshine, 3 hours later I was in Burnie in the rain, and then another hour later at the takeout to the Lea in the snow.

Race briefing.

The Lea ranges from a nice class 4 at low flow to a solid 5 at high flows. For this year’s race the level was quite low, but still high enough to make for a good race level. The main drops including “Screaming Plastic Surgeon”, “Proctologist’s Twist” and “Ankle Breaker”, tested competitors skill and nerve, while a few short flat sections between the tested their fitness.

Race Winners Dan Hall & Justin Boocock Photo: Scott Williams

Kayak 4 Play team paddler Dan Hall dominated the weekend of racing, recording a win with partner Justin Boocock in the premier teams competition on Saturday, and backing up with another first place in the individual head-to-head contest on Sunday. Stewart Bennett/Andrew Maynard were the 2nd placed team, with the Ben Maynard/Tanya Faux pairing taking 3rd. Fluid paddler Adrian Kiernan finished a respectable 6th with race partner Colin Furmston, both arriving back from overseas just in time for the race.

Dan Hall & Justin Boocock on “Screaming Plastic Sugeon”Photo: Scott Williams


Tim “superman” Robinson on Screaming Plastic SurgeonPhoto: Scott Williams

Carol Hurst and Kate Mollison took out the women’s division, and also recorded a top 10 finish outright. In total, 49 paddlers lined up to compete in the event.

Saturday night was the presentation for the main race and party. Sponsors including Teva, Fluid Kayaks, Immersion Research, Kayak4Play and Cumec Magazine gave away prizes to competitors and volunteers and then everyone partied the night away to a live band.

“The Bull” trophy and some of the booty.

Race Winners Justin Boocock and Dan Hall with “the Bull”

Kayak 4 Play used the race to (re)launch Fluid into the Australian market and gave away a $500 voucher. Ian Smith was the lucky recipient and just happened to be in the market for a new creeker. Needless to say “Smiffy” is now the happy owner of a Fluid Solo Expedition.

Smiffy and his brand new Solo Expedition. Photo: Leigh Wighton

Another great weekend of boating down under.