The 38 year-old from Pietermaritzburg said the punishing 124 kilometres white-water event was the most exhausting paddling he has ever done.
“The size of the rapids today took me by surprise,” he said.
“I didn’t have a clue where I was going through them.
“I have to thank Matt (Dean) for showing me the way.”
South African born Dean and partner James Morfitt crossed the Riverside Gardens finish line in Bayswater in their double kayak just ahead of Graham but the South African was given line honours on adjusted time.
Graham who will return to South Africa to compete in next month’s world championships in the sub-veterans class is unsure about returning to defend his Avon title in 2018.
“It was just such a tough tough race today,” he said.
Meanwhile a boy was taken to hospital after falling from a bridge while watching the event. The boy was among spectators on the Bells Rapids walk bridge when he fell on to rocks below.
Emergency services and Avon Descent event organisers helped to lift him on a stretcher.
The nine-year-old boy will have his injuries assessed in hospital.
There were 370 competitors in this year’s event, 25 per cent down on 2016 entrants due to low water levels only boostedin the last two weeks due to good rains.
Source: Avon Descent 2017: Live Updates | Perth Now
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