RAFTING: Long-time Bunbury Surf Life Saving Club member James Duncan is in preparation for the upcoming Avon Descent white water rafting event.
The Dunsborough local has been training since April for his ninth appearance in the annual event doing up to six sessions a week.
“The training load equals up to about 50 kilometres a week so it’s a lot of work,” Duncan said.
Competing in other events is also a part of the training Duncan undergoes.
“I was in an event that went from Northam to Toodyay not long ago and that’s all part of the process,” he said.
Duncan has plenty of experience in the event as a regular top-three finisher and took out first place in 2006.
But with white water rafting gaining plenty of popularity in Western Australia the competition will be tough this year.
“We have plenty of world class events in WA now so the competition is hard to beat,” Duncan said.
“The Avon Descent will attract talent from America, South Africa, Europe and plenty of other places.”
The Avon Descent course spans 124 kilometres over two days.
“It’s certainly a big challenge,” Duncan said.
The event will take place on August 2 and 3 with registration closing on Friday, July 18.
