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Petals and paddles for Quick

Toyah ShakespeareEastern Reporter

The female winner of last year’s Avon Descent died at the Blackwood River outside of Bridgetown, with her body found on Australia Day after a two-day search by emergency services.

About 200 people attended a paddle- out ceremony on the Swan River hosted by Ascot Kayak Club, which Ms Quick had been a member of since 2007.

A kayak procession included her sons Liam and Simon, partner Daryl Long and the club’s down-river group, who travelled 1km before they returned to line up in front of the clubhouse and raise their paddles in salute.

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A crowd on the shore included Ms Quick’s parents and colleagues from Kingsley Veterinary Hospital, where she was a nurse.

Ascot Kayak Club vice-president Jane Liddle said they decorated the club canoe with flowers and candles.

“We pushed that out into the water and formed a big sort of arch around that and had a minute’s silence, which probably went on for five minutes because the moment was just so beautiful,” Ms Liddle said.

“It gave the family and anybody onshore the opportunity to spread petals out on the water. It was just unbelievable… I don’t think any of us will experience anything like that again.”

Ms Liddle said people shared stories about Ms Quick, the 2015 Wildwater State Champion, at a barbecue after the paddle-out.