Power Dinghy Racing Club (Inc)

MURCHISON RIVER EXPEDITION 2004

From Milly Milly Crossing 525 kilometres from the river mouth at Kalbarri through to Billabalong Station over the March long weekend.

Kim Epton, Greg Barndon, John Bousfield, Stephen Bousfield, John Haynes, Cliff Hills, Kevin Williams

Read the diary of the Murchison River Expedition 2004

RIVERLAND DINGHY DERBY 2004

Ian Williamson, Leah Adams, Alan Barndon, Greg Barndon, Margot Barndon, John Bousfield, Stephen Bousfield, Steve Brown, Kim Epton, Cliff Hills, John Haynes, Kevin Williams, Todd Williamson

RIVERLAND SAFARI 2004

Along the back creeks of the Murray between Renmark and Wentworth and then along a section of Australia's longest river, the Darling.

Kim Epton, Steve Leersen, Leah Adams, Alan Barndon, Greg Barndon, Margot Barndon, John Bousfield, Stephen Bousfield, Steve Brown, Cliff Hills, John Haynes, Kevin Williams, Ian Williamson, Todd Williamson

UPPER MURRAY 2003

From Quindanning to Tumlo Plantation on the Upper Murray River after good opening winter rains.

Participants:
Kim Epton, Cliff Hills, Dawn Watson, Greg Barndon, John Bousfield

Photographs

RIVERLAND DINGHY DERBY 2003

Ian Williamson, Glen Di Carlo, Brent Baradeen, Matt Hall, Kevin Green, Justin Green, Leah Adams, Todd Williamson, Trevor Holm, Sven Holm, Craig Moullin, Kevin Williamson, Joshua Williamson, Graham Brooker, Keith Brooker, Justin Ferguson, Scott Rogan, Kim Epton, Dennis Peach, John Goodbody

RIVERINA RUN 2003

1000kms along the Edward, Wakool and Murray Rivers from Picnic Point, New South Wales to Renmark, South Australia.

Kim Epton, Ian Williamson, Todd Williamson, Keith French, Barbara French, Cameron Jones, Keith Brooker, Graham Brooker, Leah Adams, Kevin Williamson, Joshua Williamson.

Read more about the Riverina Run 2003

DURANILLAN 2002

An unseasonal and extremely heavy downpour in April 2002 enabled three boat crews to mount an expedition from Duranillan on the Arthur River to Bridgetown.

Kim Epton, Keith Brooker, Margot Barndon, Cliff Hills, Graham Brooker, Greg Barndon, Fred Goh, John Bousfield, John Haynes, Stephen Bousfield.

Photographs

RIVERLAND DINGHY DERBY 2002

Ian Williamson, Glen Di Carlo, Brent Barden, Kerry Barden, Greg Barndon, Margot Barndon, Leah Adams, Todd Williamson, Danika Barden, Brad O'Neil, Jan Truman, Arthur Fairhurst, Carol Fairhurst, Tony Maxfield , Kim Epton, Dennis Peach, John Goodbody, Jay Branson , Scott Overstone, Matt Hall, Craig Moullin, Nathan Love, Steve Brown.

RENMARK TO THE COORONG 2002

600kms down the Murray River in South Australia from Waikerie to Goolwa and then up The Coorong.

Participants:
Kim Epton, Ian Williamson, Cliff Hills, Glen Di Carlo, Brent Barden, Kerry Barden, Greg Barndon, Margot Barndon, Leah Adams, Todd Williamson, Danika Barden, Brad O'Neil, Jan Truman.

WORLD BATHTUB CHAMPIONSHIPS 2001

Australia had another World Champion when Glen Di Carlo won the World Bathtub Championships at Nanaimo, Canada

Ian Williamson Rin Rutherford Tony Maxfield, Arthur Fairhurst, Rebecca Rutherford
Glen Di Carlo 1st
Todd Williamson 5th
Dan Rutherford DNF

AVON RAFTING 2000

The Avon River flooded in January 2000 and a group of PDRC members and others tackled the high water in rafts and on boogie boards. Although only a one-day trip from Posselts Ford to below Bells Rapid that many individual members have tackled by canoe over the years, the extreme water level made this a unique adventure.

John Goodbody, Jeff Hodgkinson, Troy Kitcher, Kylie Hodgkinson, Craig Whately, Scott Goodbody, Phil Tapley, Brad Kitcher, Scott Llynday.

UPPER MOORE RIVER 1999

EDWARDS RIVER RACE 1997

Russell Wilson and Tyron Wilson 105
John Goodbody Dennis Peach 162
Frank Berloth Trevor Kitcher Jnr 124
John Haynes and Ivan Helm 111

The group flew to Adelaide, planning to meet their rigs that had been despatched by land transport. Delays meant that the boats didn't arrive until the night before the race. By driving through the night they arrived in Deniliquin only hours before the race was due to start.

John Haynes drove from Western Australia with Ivan Helm.

All craft competed in the 300cc class.

The crew stayed for two weekends and left Deniliquin on the Monday. During the week we practiced for the next race on the course and had a run on a few other stretches of their river.

BLACKWOOD SOURCE EXPEDITION 1997

The upper Blackwood River was explored from Ualling Crossing to Bridgetown in September 1997 in preparation for the inaugural River Race to be held in 1998.

Kim Epton, Mike Lenz, Brian Appleby, Justin Ferguson, Margot Barndon, Greg Barndon, David Whitney, Shane Clare, Rob Whitney, Jon Faull, Ryan Whitney.

FLOOD MUD AND BOATS EXPEDITION 1997

The third expedition on the Murchison River started from Murchison Crossing in April 1997. There remains only 46 kilometers of the river yet to be navigated (grade 6 rapids notwithstanding).

For a full description of the Expedition click here.

Kim Epton, Mike Lenz, Greg Barndon, Scott Overstone, Tony Overstone, Adrian Bock, Mark Scott, John Haynes, Kim Thorson, Cliff Hills, David Whitney

PRESTON / COLLIE RIVER 1996

In October 1996 a short trip was made down the previously un-navigated Preston River and Collie River in Western Australia's South West.

Kim Epton, Tony Overstone, Brian Appleby, John Haynes, Greg Barndon, David Whitney

LAKE BOONDEROO 1995

A 13 person expedition in September 1995 put power dinghies on the amazing Lake Boonderoo on the Nullarbor Plain after it had flooded for only the second time in more than 200 years.

Pictorial Diary

Participants:
Kim Epton, Mike Lenz, Greg Barndon, Margot Barndon, Tony Overstone, Adrian Bock, Scott Overstone, Phil Hargrave, Kim Thorson, John Haynes, David Whitney, Cliff Hills

MURCHISON GORGES 1995

The spectacular Kalbarri Gorges of the Murchison River were tackled in a five boat, 15 man expedition in March 1995. The Expedition started on the biggest floods in fifty years.

Participants:
Kim Epton, Mike Lenz, Adrian Bock, Scott Overstone, Tony Overstone, Bill Breheny, Tay Overstone, Phil Hargrave, Dave Snooks, John Haynes, Kim Thorson, Cliff Hills, Cameron Wilkie, Shane Kelly, David Whitney.

BLACKWOOD SOURCE EXPEDITION 1994

The largest continuously flowing river in Western Australia, the Blackwood, was traced from its source for the first time in August 1994. A four boat, thirteen man Expedition navigated waters that had never before been successfully tackled.

Kim Epton, Brent Barden, Craig Smetherham, Tony Overstone, Ewout Beusekom, Dave Snooks, Adrian Bock, Hun van der Donk, John Goodbody, David Whitney, John Haynes, Cameron Wilkie, Mike Lenz.

MURCHISON RIVER EXPEDITION 1994

A three boat, eleven man Expedition fought falling floodwaters and 45oC heat in March 1994 to make the first ever boating trip down the Murchison River, Western Australia's second longest waterway.

Kim Epton, Darren Austin, John Haynes, Adrian Bock, Mike Lenz, Damien Bock, Scott Overstone, Peter Carboni, Kim Thorson, Phil Hargrave, Cameron Wilkie.

MURRAY RIVER EXPEDITION '93

The Murray River Expedition '93 was a non-stop 2000 kilometre dash down the Murray River from Yarrawonga Weir, Vic to Goolwa, S.A. that smashed the previous record by a massive 13 hours.

Kim Epton, Tony Overstone, Adrian Griffin, Stuart Maxwell, Michael Johnson, Rin Rutherford, Greg Johnson, Peter Kinnersly, Kevin Williams, Geoff Massam, Bernie Worthington.

UPPER BLACKWOOD EXPEDITION '92

In November 1992 the upper reaches of the biggest river in Western Australia's south were explored during the Upper Blackwood Expedition.

Kim Epton, Darren Austin, Tony Overstone,Frank Berloth, Dave Elson, Grant Pouw Bray,Gary Evans, John Pouw Bray, Adrian Griffin, John Miles, Geoff Hall, Rin Rutherford,
Peter Hink.

HAY RIVER HASH 1986

After heavy rains in August 1986 two boat crews attempted the first navigation of the Hay River, near Albany.

Bruce Wilson, George Beres, Jeff Ferry, Graeme Olsen

MURRAY SPRINT 1986

The Murray Sprint was a non-stop record attempt on the 2225 kilometre trip down the Murray River from Albury, NSW to Goolwa, SA.

Kim Epton, Mario Ambrosino (deceased), Richard Urban, Neil Elliot

GOULBURN SAFARI

Rod Thomas and Julie Halse competed in the Goulburn Safari in March 1985 in the 15hp Class and scored second place.

TWIN RIVER EXPEDITION 1985

In October of 1985 the Lachlan and Murrumbidgee Rivers were tackled by power dinghy for the first time. This three boat, 2000 kilometre expedition was filmed for news features on the Nine Network.

Kim Epton, Neil Eliot, Les Simpson, Mario Ambrosino (deceased), John Haynes, Richard Urban, Steve Palmer, David Whitney, Geoff Rumsey, Mark Whittome.

NORTHERN DINGHY SAFARI 1984

The Northern Safari in 1984 was a three boat journey along the Roper River in the Northern Territory and a section of the Ord River in the Kimberley.

Roly Ritson, John Haynes

MURRAY RIVER (WA) EXPEDITION 1983

In October 1983 a five boat trip was made down this wild river from Tumlo Plantation to Scarp Pool with a view to staging a regular race over the course.

Kim Epton, Gary Butt (deceased), Mario Ambrosino (deceased), Ian Williamson, Rob Little.

WORLD BATHTUB CHAMPIONSHIPS 1982

Undaunted by the bad luck the previous year, Tony Maxfield and Mick Maxfield again travelled to Nanaimo, Canada. Tony flipped the tub well out in the harbour and only narrowly averted being dragged to the bottom by a rope that wrapped around his wrist. Unfortunately, another DNF.

DARLING DESCENT '82

The six boats of the Darling Descent '82 powered 3500 kilometres down the Darling River in March 1982 to complete the longest journey ever made on a river in Australia. It was first time the Darling had been fully navigated. This was filmed for a STW9 news feature.

Kim Epton, Mario Ambrosino (deceased), Steve Palmer, Cam Chester, Andy de Petra, Bob Cooper (deceased), Tony Poole, George Forward, Shane Gesmundo, John Haynes, Roly Ritson, Peter Haynes, Richard Urban, Ivan Helm, Ted Whitney, Ken Helm, Mark Whittome, Adrian Malloy.

Australia's Longest Boat Journey

WORLD BATHTUB CHAMPIONSHIPS 1981

Tony Maxfield and Mick Maxfield travelled to Nanaimo, Canada. Unfortunately the swivel bracket on the motor broke and Tony did not finish the race

AUSTRALIAN BATHTUB TITLES 1981

Tony Maxfield won the Australian Bathtub Title and then started planning for the World Championships in Nanaimo, Canada.
Participants:
Tony Maxfield 1st
Steve Palmer 3rd
Ron Watson 5th
Rob Whitney DNF
Dud Cummuskey DNF
Erica Palmer, Wayne Palmer, Daniel Palmer, Bernie Garbellini, Mark Delina, Mick Maxfield .

MURRAY RIVER EXPEDITION 1981

In March 1981 the 18-man Murray River Expedition smashed the existing 18 day record when it completed the 2225 kilometre Albury/Goolwa journey in 8 days.

Kim Epton, Dave Coles, David Payne, David Whitney, Rob Craker, Tony Poole, John Haynes, Roly Ritson, Peter Haynes, Les Simpson, Ivan Helm, Vic Watt, Adrian Malloy, Harvey Webster, John Mole, Ted Whitney, Doug Owens, Rob Whitney