The 2009 Capricorn Resort Half Ironman Triathlon is slowly creeping closer, with a start date of 16th August. The challenge has a new name this year, with the original name being “Rydges Capricorn Half Ironman”. Notice the slight change from Rydges to Capricorn Resort. This is probably part of the suspected resort-wide policy change.

The Triathlon itself starts on the 17th of August at 8am and will go for approximately 4 hours. The first session is a 1.9 km swim, starting on the beach just north of Yeppoon at Rydges. The swimming course has a cut-off time of 1 hour and 15 minutes, meaning any people still in the water after that time will be disqualified.

The 90km bike ride is next, which is comprised of approximately 5 laps from Rydges Resort to Yeppoon (official lap ending point is opposite the Beachside Caravan Park). As with most triathlons drafting will not be allowed. Drafting is the practise of grouping together on a bike ride to benefit from the front rider’s slipstream.

After the bike ride, competitors must then run the the final 21.1km Zoot Run Leg, which is entirely on Rydges grounds. There complete course is made up of 3 laps, and finishes in the swimming pool and recreation area. The Zoot Run Course has actually been named one of the greatest Half Ironman courses in Australia.

The running course finishes the Half Ironman Challenge’s competitive events. A Gala Presentation Dinner will be served to competitors and their friends later on the night of the Triathlon, starting from 5:30pm.

YeppoonInfo.com will keep you updated on the Capricorn Resort Half Ironman Challenge events.

Yeppoon Rydges Wetlands by Ben Noy

Just recently I had a commenter on my post about the Trespassers Prosecuted signs that Rydges had put up on their beach access. He was asking whether I knew anything about the recent signs that Rydges Resort has been putting up around the wetlands they own behind the resort. I had noticed these signs myself on a recent drive up to Kellie’s Landing, which is a gazetted road (open to the public). The only other gazetted road in the wetlands goes up Fisherman’s Creek. All the other wetlands accesses have been closed off.

Anyway, to find out what the story behind the closure is, I contacted Rydges Capricorn Resort through their contact form last night. Today after I got back from picking Lychees at the farm up the road, I had a detailed reply from the Iwasaki Sangyo Company (owners of the Rydges resort chain). I’ve included it below:

Good Morning Jylan

I am more than happy to explain the situation regarding the closure of our Wetlands area. You may not be aware that Iwasaki Sangyo (Aust.) Pty. Ltd., are the owners of the Wetlands area and have been the owners and protectors since its purchase back in the late 1970’s. For the last 38 years, the local community and visitors have been welcome to have access to this wonderful nature reserve. It is sad to say that in more recent years the problems with irresponsible people are becoming more numerous. The vandalism and damage being done consists of pig hunters accessing our property, cutting fences, enabling our cattle access to the main road, which in turn is causing car accidents through no fault of our own, we have dead and injured cattle, we have young people bringing in their vehicles to the wet areas for the purpose of mud bashing which is having serious consequences to the vulnerable areas. Also we have a problem with arson, we are accused of lighting these fires and these fires are destroying the pristine area, the wattle bush love fires and are increasing in numbers instead of allowing the natural habitat to exist. These incidents are becoming so regular that the police and the stock squad have advised us that if we are serious about fixing the problem we would have no option but to start prosecuting the trespassers’. To do this we need to make it clear that this is private property so the trespassers’ cannot plead ignorance. It is sad to think that it has come to this and would have preferred another option, maybe in the future when the irresponsible members of the community have been educated on how valuable this area is, we may be able to reopen this area. Fishing Creek road is still open to the public as it is a Gazetted road. We are also owners of an area of land between Yeppoon and Bangalee, because this area is so close to town it is now being used as a local dumping ground, we have had to resort to using cameras throughout these areas in the hope of stopping these few people who have spoilt it for everyone else and we hope that the concerned responsible people of the area will support us in what we are trying to achieve so the community can once again enjoy this area.

I hope this answers your questions for you, if you do need any further information please feel free to contact me.

Yours faithfully

Mr. Takeshi (Ted) Mitani

Director

Iwasaki Sangyo Co (Aust) Pty Ltd.

I think this was a very good explanation of the problems they faced, I can understand why they would want to keep people out now. It’s just a pity that some people ruin it for others by lighting fires, cutting fences and the like.

Well a few days ago on Saturday we went to the Rydges Homestead to have a picnic. We were quite lucky because a huge flock of magpie geese were staying there at the time.

A few Magpie Geese enjoying the wetlands at the Rydges Homestead.

After lunch we went for the walk to Rydges, then walked along the beach. It was a really nice day for walking, not to hot but not too cold either.

The beach at Rydges. I love the cloud formations, they look like they’re about to unleash a heavy rain storm.

Coming up from the beach, guess what we noticed? Yes you’re right, it was a sign saying that Rydges is closed to outside guests, and that trespassers would be prosecuted! How they hope to enforce this I don’t know, because there is always a multitude of people wandering around the place and it would be very hard to find any outsiders among them.

The sign that is being so unwelcome to visitors.

So if anyone knows any more details about this I would be interested in hearing them. You know who you are .

You can get a good idea of what Corio Bay looks like by going to Google Maps.

I must warn you however, if you do attempt to go up there be prepared for a fairly bumpy drive as the road isn’t very well maintained.

A view looking across the channel to a headland. I would love to live up there and own a boat so I could explore everywhere, however I don’t think I could get an internet connection very easily

One of the many 4wd’s that enjoy using the beach to drive on.

These signs contain information on the does and don’t at Corio Bay.

The main track used to get on the sand.

This row of posts partly protects the area to the right from being driven on by naughty 4wd’ers.

[tags]travel, waterpark, creek, corio, bay, rydges, sand, beach[/tags]

Once lunch was finished, we drove the car out and parked beside the road, because whenever we go to the Homestead the walk to Rydges must be done too. On the way I saw two orange seedpods, which I thought would make a fantastic Contrasting Sharply™ photo. However, a photo that I had taken the day before of a dandelion trumped them. Below you can see the orange seedpods.

[tags]Rydges, Homestead, water, wetlands, seedpods, tower[/tags]

Today I did exactly that. First of all (in the morning), I got out the [tag]machete[/tag] and started to peel away the very tough protective skin, which is made of [tag]fibers[/tag] all strung together. Eventually I managed to strip away all of the skin and ended up with the coconut [tag]shell[/tag], which is basically is just a non-bouncing ball.

Once I’d got the shell all on it’s own, I opened up a razor blade and carved out a hole in the top, where there is a softer depression especially for that purpose (what else could it be for?). I then drained all the [tag]juice[/tag] into a large cup, which became approximately 3/4 full. The juice varies between each coconut, with the older coconuts tasting more distinct and and younger ones tasting like sweetened water.

After the juice was taken out of the shell. It was time to [tag]crack[/tag] it. For this purpose I used the back of an axe head. I was very pleased to discover that the [tag]flesh[/tag] was very soft and easily scooped up with a spoon, just the way I like it. That basically describes the whole process of eating a coconut, from picking it off the tree to [tag]peeling[/tag] the skin. Below are some photos.