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The Avon Descent has developed into one of Western Australia’s premiere sporting events, attracting competitors and spectators from across the globe.  The thousands who have competed in the race include novices, families, world champions and Olympic competitors, leading to the Avon Descent also being one of the most unique competitions in the world.

Returning for her fourth Descent is UWA Engineering Science and Management student Kiera Albertsen, who, on her debut as a solo paddler, was the second female solo paddler to cross the line. Coming from a long history of Avon Descent competition has inspired Kiera on a path of success, and led to exciting opportunities and new experiences.

The encouragement to start participating and competing in sport came from Kiera’s father Cimon Albertsen, who is something of a Descent veteran with 24 races already under his belt, and more on the horizon. This has long been an inspiration for Kiera, and her desire to follow in his footsteps is one of her primary motivations for competing in this year’s Avon Descent.

Kiera manages to balance her academic pursuits with her sporting achievements through some serious time management, with a strict routine that she aims to stick to. By keeping on task, and not procrastinating, she works her hardest to complete readings and assignments earlier when she has set aside the specific time.

To other students looking to join the Avon Descent, Kiera says, “… the best thing you can do in the lead up to the race is to spend as much time in your Avon boat as you can (without going over-the-top), getting used to sitting in the boat and paddling for long distances and for a long time. And to have fun, as it is a long and tiring race, but at the end of it is lots of fun, a really rewarding experience and you gain a wonderful sense of achievement to be able to say you have completed a 130 km white water race.”

This year will also include the Avon Descent University Cup as a new paddle sport initiative, engaging students to be more active and enriching the history of one of Australia’s toughest competitions. The University of Western Australia, along with WA’s other universities, will battle it out for supremacy of the river. The winning team can expect a trophy, to be displayed in their cabinet for the following year.

Media references

Louis Humberstone

Graduate Officer, UWA Sport Marketing, Communications, and Events

[email protected]

6488 3768