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The Competition is open to anyone interested and includes 500 metres Fly and Die, 2000 metres and the 4 minute challenge.

This event is in association with Concept 2 rowing.

I will be racing in the open Fly and Die challenge.

Come back to review results from the championships.]]> http://www.rowextreme.com/blog_charles/index.php?entry=entry061013-034121
This event organised by Bicycle Queensland is a 100km ride from Brisbane to the Gold Coast. As much as I would like to speed down the course this event is a recreational ride not a race.

Entries are about 3000 riders.

More information will be added after the race.]]> http://www.rowextreme.com/blog_charles/index.php?entry=entry061009-145647
The Croker range of oars can be viewed at the link below.

Croker oars
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One of the best ways to train is to have a cross selection of activities and it's about putting in the miles. Rowing, cycling, kayaking, weights, fishing all help. Yes even fishing. When fishing you need to be prepared to fish for different species, adapt to the conditions and not expect to have results straight away.

Currently I am training 4 times a week paddling my kayak on the Brisbane River, cycling, rowing and weights sessions whilst working physically with my job. This training will intensify in the next few weeks. Around April next year I will reduce my training in order to put bulk on. Yes fat. I will need to fit but also have a lot of fat to maintain my body for the duration of this expedition. Exercising at the level required for this adventure will be taxing on the body with the amount of calories burnt each day.]]> http://www.rowextreme.com/blog_charles/index.php?entry=entry060907-224253
Late start today up at 6am and on the bike. A bit cold this morning the wind is blowing fairly hard and it's overcast. Got to love these mornings with the cold wind rushing past your face. A quick 9 kilometre (km) ride to West End and grab my kayak for the paddle. My legs slightly shaking from the cold sprint I slipped into my cockpit and headed across the river. Looks like I have timed this fairly well with the change of the tide not to far away. As I took my first few strokes warming up my arms and shoulders I was thinking what other people might be doing right now.

Paddling up stream looking I see another kayak and wonder how long it will take me to pick them off and pass. I can pass that kayak by the ferry terminal I tell myself and lift my rate and power ahead with the tide rushing out under me. Here comes the ferry terminal and I haven't caught the other paddler but soon after I catch him. Onward I push as the tide gets stronger> begin to think when was the last time I was on the river when the water was this low. I pass the rocks then the radio tower at St Lucia. I am almost at the power station when I turn around and take a drink.

As I paddled home I wondered where the tide would change for me. Sure enough as the sun will rise the tide did change and I was slowed. Getting out of my boat I could feel the fatigue setting in from the session but felt good that I had to paddle against the tide both ways and not having it easy one way. I knew that I still needed to ride the 9km home and those hills that love to test my calves would test me today, I washed my boat so I could get home and have something to eat.

Ridding home I got a flat tyre and to be honest I was wanting a break. I quickly changed the tyre and jumped back on as my stomach began to growl. I was hanging out for breakfast and today I had a cooked one. Breakfast of a protein drink, eggs, sausages, tomatoes and toast hit the spot before having a shower an heading off to work.
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