Beginner Whitewater Trip

What’s up legends!

Have you tried your hand at kayaking and want to try whitewater kayaking but don’t know where to start? Well this is the trip to join.

Over the Anzac day weekend I will be running a combined uni beginner trip with USYD, and potentially UTS and ANU. Whitewater Kayaking is inherently dangerous (no harness can save you from being upside down in moving water) and so it is important that you are able to judge your own capabilites before signing up for this trip. I will run at least 1 session before the sign up date to allow people to try their hand at paddling and decide if it’s for them, as well as for me to assess your ability (informally)

Who is this for?

This trip is for people who are interested in learning how to whitewater kayak. You must be a strong swimmer to do this sport as it is demanding and there is a high likelihood that you will have a swim in fast moving water. Let me know whether you prefer doggy paddle or cat stroke when swimming a puddle of chocolate at the top of the mariana trench.

If you are an experienced WW paddler, or know someone who is, please reach out. The more people willing to help instruct, the more students we can take to learn.

What you need to bring

• Camping gear (tent, sleeping bag, mat etc.)
• Food for all the days
• Wetsuit or dry top or dry suit (it will be cold in the water)
• Sturdy shoes with good grip – I like volleys because they are low volume, other people wear canyoning shoes or sneakers
• Neoprene or woolen socks
• Thermals – for extra warmth under a wetsuit or after a paddle
• Dry bag/s (20L in any combination is probably good)
• Warm clothes for after the paddle (we often stand around waiting for shuttle)
  • fleece, puffer, etc

What will be provided by the club

• Boats
• paddles
• helmets
• PFDs

What’s the plan, Stan?

• Head off on friday arvo to the campsite and settle in
• Paddle paddle paddle on saturday
• Sleep
• paddle paddle paddle
• Go home Sunday arvo

Sorry about the date being in the tail end of semester but it just works with public holidays

The location will be decided close to the time when we know what the water is doing. In the meantime, get on the stoke and watch some videos, tune your instagram algorithm to feed you all the gnar and come along on my trip (or two) to learn some skills.

When To Book

Bookings for this trip will open at 3pm on Monday April 7. You must have attended the point and paddle trip to be able to sign up for this trip. There is limited space – only 4 people will be able to go unless we wrangle more trip leaders.