ANGER AND BULLSHARK

Q

During your many kilometres and hours out on the water training have you run into “boat rage” often?

A

All the time. We train at Varsity Lakes now because the water at the AIS at Pizzey Park is too turbulent, the water moves too much now. We had more water rage over in the canals, a lot of young kids in tinnies who speed and come pretty close. One has come that close to me that I held my paddle out and he actually went into it and got clocked over the head. He hurled some abuse at me and I hurled some abuse back at him. I turned around and there was a bloke on a construction site who saw it and he must have known who I was because he yelled out “rip into him Kenny”.

Q

I’m told that despite the better conditions at Varsity Lakes there is a very different kind of peril. Yes?

A

We see occasional big fish in there so we really don’t want to fall in.

Q

When you say big fish, are you talking about Noah’s Arks, as in bullsharks

A

Yes, you actually see people fishing for sharks off their balconies. They’ll hook one then run downstairs and pull it in. One time it made the papers but it happens all the time.

Q

So you would not recommend anyone going for a quick dip in those waters to cool off then would you?

A

Definitely no. And another funny thing is seeing people fall in from their kayaks. You tend to get back in them pretty fast.