Iconic WA whitewater course shortened to avoid 'running race'

The longest whitewater event in the southern hemisphere has been shortened amid significantly lower river flow, as organisers try to avoid a "running race".Power craft and paddlers took to the streams of the Avon River in WA's Wheatbelt on Saturday for the revised two-day whitewater time trial from Northam in the Avon Valley to Bayswater in Perth.The Avon Descent attracts keen paddlers from across the state to ride it out for 124 kilometres, but the 2026 event was moved downstream from its traditional start point due to low water levels. The Wheatbelt town of Northam recorded its driest ever July in nearly 150 years, receiving only 12.2 millimetres of rain compared with the average of 81.3mm.Kayakers competing in the 2026 Avon Descent will be forced to walk for some of the course due to lower than usual river flow. (ABC News: Natasha Harradine )For competitor safety, the starting line for the race has been moved to Katrine Crossing instead of Northam, cutting 17 kilometres off the course. 'Looking very dry'Northam Avon Descent Committee chair Greg Kaeding said the "significant decision" to cut the race short and shift the starting point was necessary."People haven't been praying hard enough because the gods haven't been good to us and it's looking very dry, especially up the northern end of the course," he said. Paddlers departed Katrine Bridge on Saturday morning for the first day of the Avon Descent. (ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt: Dana Hamilton.)Mr Kaeding said if the first 17km of the race were not cut it would have been more of a "running race" than a whitewater event. "The reality is carrying that kind of weight as well as running down instead of paddling down or powering down the waterway isn't what the race is about," he said."We actually have to look after the safety and welfare of the competitors and make sure we can adjust our recovery resources." This is the fourth time the annual race has been shortened since it began in 1973.Despite the drier conditions, there had been a 10 per cent increase in entries across the board, and more than 300 competitors registered. Challenging race Competitor Matthew Even, from White Gum Valley, travelled with his paddler partner, Matthew Furr, in hopes of protecting their winning spot in last year's powercraft race. Matthew Even and Matthew Furr won the powercraft race in the 2025 Avon Descent and hope to take out the top spot again this year. (ABC News: Natasha Harradine )The 2025 outright winners said the low water levels were disappointing, but they still planned to give the event their best crack. "It's a shame that we're not doing the full race this year because of the low water level," Mr Furr said."But it is what it is, and we'll give it the best we can. "It's certainly going to be a challenging race." The low river flow has led to many exposed river beds this year. (ABC News: Natasha Harradine )Mr Even said the conditions this year were very different from prior races. "It seems a little counterproductive that we may be racing in the rain [on Saturday] morning while there's no water in the river." Chris Antonio says lower water conditions have led to a thrilling spectator experience. (ABC Midwest Wheatbelt: Eliza Bidstrup)Shire of Northam President Chris Antonio said competitors had embraced the low water levels, which he believed led to a more thrilling spectacle."We are one of the rare races around the world where you have to do [it] in any condition," he said."We have a true grit race. "Our competitors have stepped up and are handling [the changed conditions]."Competitors will end day one of the Avon Descent at Cobbler's Pool in Toodyay before embarking on the final 72km to the finish line in Bayswater.