The 33rd Avon Descent is on next weekend!

The Multiplex Avon Descent is a time trial for power dinghies and paddle craft covering 133 kilometres of the Avon and Swan Rivers in Western Australia. The event begins in the Town of Northam, passes through Toodyay and the Avon Valley and Walyunga National Parks, and finishes at Riverside Gardens Reserve, Bayswater, Perth.

Read about the best vantage points for spectators here for day 1 (Northam to Toodyay) and here for day 2 (Toodyay to Bayswater). On Sunday the race goes through Walyunga National Park and through the Swan Valley.
There are several events surrounding the race:

Northam – Friday night:
The annual river festival will be held, which starts at around 7pm. There will be a float parade, children’s entertainment, a fun carnival, and fireworks at around 8.30pm. The hotels will have live entertainment.

Toodyay – from 10am on Saturday:
Toodyay will hold an International Fine Food Festival. There will be food and beverage stalls, entertainment for young and old, including cooking demonstrations. The locations is close to the river and their will be good views of the action on the Avon River.

Sandalford Wines – 11am to 2pm on Sunday:
Sandalford Wines and the City of Swan will host a Picnic in the Park at Sandalford Winery in Caversham. It’s a good vantage point as that is a change over point. There will be free entertainment for all ages, and a professional event commentator.

Belmont – Garvey Park – 11.30am to 3.30pm Sunday:
The City of Belmont will host the Avon Descent Family Fun Day on the banks of the Swan River at Garvey Park. There will be activities for children, a sausage sizzle, a professional commentator and helicopter rides(I very much doubt these would be free).

Bayswater Riverside Gardens – from 11am to finish on Sunday:
The City of Bayswater will host festivities for the finish line event from 11am at Riverside Gardens. Big screen with finish line, live entertainment for children and adults, see the boats when they have finished and lots of stalls with food. Competitors are expected to start arriving around 11.30am and the official ceremony will begin at 4pm.

For maps, directions and accomodation please also check out the Avon Descent website!