Penrith

Today turned out to be a much simpler day than most. We set out with just one objective, to get to Penrith so Bill could paddle for a couple of hours. We took our usual train into the Cental Station, In the heart of Sydney and transferred to the western line that would take us to Penrith. The ride is about an hour long and we arrived around noon. It is 4 km from the train station to the whitewater park so we took a cab. The venue is just great. They have open access for paddlers and rafters from 10:30 till 3:00. It cost me $85.00 for the park access and rental of all the gear for 4 hours. I picked up a new Jackson Allstar. The selection of boats is not good and the boat was a little too large for me but it was the best I could do. The features are great and there is a Santa Claus like wave half way down.

The paddlers here are just like everywhere. Allreally friendly and encouraging. I met three ladies (Adrienne, Cindy and Jackie) heading up to Ottawa in the fall and a guy who did some raft guiding on the Kickinghorse in 2010. He was saddened to hear about the flood damage on the Kan. For some reason the water stayed on till 3:30! I stayed on till the very last, catching the conveyor belt to the top just as the closing horn went. I was the last guy on the course and had to ride the last bubble of water down!! After a show and beer Di and I walked back to the train station and headed back to the camp site.

 

Calgary really should have a venue like this one. The place was really busy all day but nobody minded because there were so many waves to play on and you just caught the conveyor back to the top to do it again. Stop for a beer or lunch and get back on the river. All the shuttle bunnies had to do was lay in the sun, drink beer and take an occasional picture. Wow, what a sweet place.

 

 

 

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