Now in its 41st year, the Avon Descent will be held on August 3 to 4, during which hundreds of participants, spectators and support crew will flock to Northam, Toodyay and Bayswater to get a view of the action.
Having watched his two sons compete in the Avon Descent over the years, Barry said he felt it was time to give the world-renowned race a go himself.
‘My son and I decided we wanted to tackle the Avon Descent together as a team,’ he said.
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READ NOW‘It would be such a great way to spend time together, as well as being good for fitness.’
Barry and Shawn have been training for the past two years with a combination of flat water and white water training.
‘It has been tricky training on the moving water this year due to it being drier, but we still get out two or three times a week on the river for a paddle,’ Barry said.
‘We’re definitely aiming to finish and if I struggle, my son’s pretty fit so he should get us through.’
Competitors challenge the Avon and Swan rivers in a variety of paddle and power crafts in the two-day time trial over 124 gruelling kilometres, making the descent from Northam to Bayswater.
To find the best viewing spots along the course, and see the father and son duo in action, visit www.avondescent.|com.au.