Concrete Classic

Photos

By Jez

Another at Penrith went off well. Day one started off with the ball race. A giant inflatable ball that is pushed down the course by teams of three, the first to the end of the course, wins. Teams really found it difficult as the ball got caught in eddies, holes and rocks.
Next up was the boatercross event. This was close and had it’s fair share of carnage as it included the biggest rapids on the course. Competitors were funneled into main wave which made for a lot of pushing and shoving for positions, they then had to go through a slalom gate and do all of this in short playboats. This made for stern squirting, boofing on top of people, subbing out under other boating FUN. I was fortunate enough to run this event and all I can say is that I am glad I was watching from the banks after I saw the river turn blood red.

Things finished off with the "The Gift", a deckless race that has been going on for a decade where competitors have to run to their yack, get in and paddle down the course without a spraydeck. Can anyone say ‘Yard Sale’. More carnage than Jason Craig sliding down a staircase on his face. A stack of swims and the ultimate yard sale with boats, paddles and bodies getting thrown down the course. No that’s what I call a competition, forget your Bus Eating comps, the concrete classic was by far the most out there comp I have been a part of. Us Ozzies do things a little different down here. The was run by Ben and Elise from Wavemonkey was sponsored by Entropy Gear (Jackson Kayak Australia).

Stay safe mate.
jez
Jackson Kayak Coordinator of Karma