The only thing I know about the avon descent is from watching wide world of sports as a kid, and seeing the d#$$heads running their power boats up on the rocks and getting chucked out the front of the boat....
but heres some info I googled.
http://www.perth-getaways.com/Avon-Descent.html
edit.......apologies if anyone does the avon decent in a power boat.
Most of the rapids in the Avon are grade 2 to 3 - however this can change depending on how much water is flowing. Much of the stuff in DJ'd vid is likely to be 5.
Here is a rundown of what the different grades mean:
Grade 1 Not difficult. Regular stream; regular waves; small rapids; simple obstructions. Grade 2 Moderately difficult. Passage free irregular stream; irregular waves; medium rapids, small stoppers eddies, whirlpools and pressure areas*; simple obstructions in stream; small drops. Grade 3 Difficult. Route recognisable; high irregular waves; larger rapids; stoppers, eddies, whirlpools and pressure areas*; isolated boulders, drops and numerous obstructions in stream. Grade 4 Very difficult. Route not always recognisable; inspection mostly necessary; heavy continuous rapids; heavy stoppers, whirlpools and pressure areas*; boulders obstructing stream, undertow. Grade 5 Extremely difficult. Inspection essential; extreme rapids, stoppers, whirlpools and pressure areas*; narrow passages, steep gradients and drops with difficult access and landing. Grade 6 Limit of practicability. Generally speaking impossible. Possibly navigable at particular water levels; high risk; even experts risk life. *Notes * Pressure areas refer to water piling up against a rock or other.
Most guys that paddle in the surf could get through a grade 3, but the risk is that a fall of a SUP in the shallow water and rapid conditions that we get in most areas of Australia would almost defiantly mean a fall directly onto rocks. The highest grade I have run in a Kayak is grade 4, and I would not want to think about doing that on a SUP. A lot of the over seas rivers have much deeper water than us to create rapids which can make it a little safer.
Id like to do the Avon on a SUP. Can I borrow someones board? Theres no way Id be taking my board down the Avon Ive surfed it a few times. Theres a nice little stand still wave which breaks during winter after a week of solid rain
