Team Gilchrist to world championships
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OCEAN RACING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2019
We are a father and son who have both qualified independently to represent Australia at the ICF 2019 Ocean Racing World Championships in September, in Saint-Pierre De Quiberon France. Our selection was based on our results in The Australian Ocean Racing Series (AORS). Points are tallied by Paddle Australia (PA) from best 3 Majors and best 3 National Series events.
Ten years ago I was standing on North Curl Curl headland in Sydney and happened to witness a steady procession of ocean racing kayaks passing by. This turned out to be the finishing stage of an iconic race called ‘20 Beaches’, which runs from Palm Beach to Freshwater. I was inspired to get into the sport. Guy was able to follow 2 months later, after I snapped my first kayak in half. He paddled this repaired craft for 2 years whilst he saved the money to buy his own kayak.
The journey that followed has proven to be a life changing experience. We paddle together 4 days a week anywhere from 1.5 hours to 2.5hrs a session, predominantly in the open ocean and once a week or so in Sydney harbour, Pittwater or Narrabeen lakes. Part of our training regime is with a squad run by Dean Gardner (a legend in the sport) & Yanda Morrison (an ex Olympian) of Oceanpaddler. The squad starts at 5.30am on Mondays and Fridays from Clontarf or Balmoral.
Throughout this period, we have been competing in the many events held around Australia. There are 20 or more every year; including ‘The Doctor’ which is a 27k race from Rottnest Island, Perth, to Sorrento beach, The ‘Bridge to Beach’ from the Harbour Bridge to Manly harbourside, the ‘Makai Cup’ a 25k race finishing in Ulladulla harbour, and of course ‘20 Beaches’. We have formed a strong father and son bond sharing our love for the sport and the environment, and have had many adventures.
Two years ago, age 63, I suffered an ischemic stroke that had the potential to leave me half paralysed or worse, but due to a rapid response, a clot busting drug and my general level of fitness I was able to return to an active life a couple of months later. My GP, who understood my passion, advised that I had ‘dodged a bullet’ and should now only paddle and exercise in moderation. My neurologist however advised that in my case the risk factors were outweighed by the benefits to be gained by strenuous exercise. The decision was simple.
Guy is a new dad to a 15-month-old daughter, and juggles this role with long work hours and a long commute, so finding time to train has been challenging to say the least.
When Guy and I started we were an anomaly in this sport. Ten years on we are witnessing a transformation: there are now husband and wife teams paddling double kayaks,
young children sharing double kayaks with their dad or mum and individual paddlers being introduced to the sport and trained by a parent. We like to think our story has been a catalyst for this.
After 10 years actively pursuing our love of ocean kayak racing amongst the challenges that life throws at you, we now have an opportunity to represent Australia at the highest level. But in order to fulfill our dream we need your support. There are significant costs which include airfares (both international and domestic), car hire, kayak hire, accommodation at the athletes village, professional coaching in the months leading to the event, and registration fees.
We would be delighted if you could sponsor us. If you are able to, please log onto www.gofundme.com/team-gilchrist-to-world-championships
In anticipation
Garry and Guy
We are a father and son who have both qualified independently to represent Australia at the ICF 2019 Ocean Racing World Championships in September, in Saint-Pierre De Quiberon France. Our selection was based on our results in The Australian Ocean Racing Series (AORS). Points are tallied by Paddle Australia (PA) from best 3 Majors and best 3 National Series events.
Ten years ago I was standing on North Curl Curl headland in Sydney and happened to witness a steady procession of ocean racing kayaks passing by. This turned out to be the finishing stage of an iconic race called ‘20 Beaches’, which runs from Palm Beach to Freshwater. I was inspired to get into the sport. Guy was able to follow 2 months later, after I snapped my first kayak in half. He paddled this repaired craft for 2 years whilst he saved the money to buy his own kayak.
The journey that followed has proven to be a life changing experience. We paddle together 4 days a week anywhere from 1.5 hours to 2.5hrs a session, predominantly in the open ocean and once a week or so in Sydney harbour, Pittwater or Narrabeen lakes. Part of our training regime is with a squad run by Dean Gardner (a legend in the sport) & Yanda Morrison (an ex Olympian) of Oceanpaddler. The squad starts at 5.30am on Mondays and Fridays from Clontarf or Balmoral.
Throughout this period, we have been competing in the many events held around Australia. There are 20 or more every year; including ‘The Doctor’ which is a 27k race from Rottnest Island, Perth, to Sorrento beach, The ‘Bridge to Beach’ from the Harbour Bridge to Manly harbourside, the ‘Makai Cup’ a 25k race finishing in Ulladulla harbour, and of course ‘20 Beaches’. We have formed a strong father and son bond sharing our love for the sport and the environment, and have had many adventures.
Two years ago, age 63, I suffered an ischemic stroke that had the potential to leave me half paralysed or worse, but due to a rapid response, a clot busting drug and my general level of fitness I was able to return to an active life a couple of months later. My GP, who understood my passion, advised that I had ‘dodged a bullet’ and should now only paddle and exercise in moderation. My neurologist however advised that in my case the risk factors were outweighed by the benefits to be gained by strenuous exercise. The decision was simple.
Guy is a new dad to a 15-month-old daughter, and juggles this role with long work hours and a long commute, so finding time to train has been challenging to say the least.
When Guy and I started we were an anomaly in this sport. Ten years on we are witnessing a transformation: there are now husband and wife teams paddling double kayaks,
young children sharing double kayaks with their dad or mum and individual paddlers being introduced to the sport and trained by a parent. We like to think our story has been a catalyst for this.
After 10 years actively pursuing our love of ocean kayak racing amongst the challenges that life throws at you, we now have an opportunity to represent Australia at the highest level. But in order to fulfill our dream we need your support. There are significant costs which include airfares (both international and domestic), car hire, kayak hire, accommodation at the athletes village, professional coaching in the months leading to the event, and registration fees.
We would be delighted if you could sponsor us. If you are able to, please log onto www.gofundme.com/team-gilchrist-to-world-championships
In anticipation
Garry and Guy
Fundraising team: Team Gilchrist (2)
Guy Gilchrist
Organizer
Dee Why, NSW
Garry Gilchrist
Team member