Monthly Full Moon Paddles

A monthly social night paddle under the full moon. Paddling upstream or downstream from UQ, and returning to UQCC shed.

Full moon paddles take place each month on the full moon. We will be taking advantage of the light of the full moon and paddling upsteam to a point which the group agrees is a good point to return from. Some paddles which coincide with Friday, Saturday or Sunday may be included with a BBQ/ picnic in Guyatt Park before or after the paddle.

Requirements
Bring head torch and rear white light. You must be seen from 360 degrees. Lightsticks, water bottle, spare clothing for after the paddle, Warm clothing in Winter, clothing to suit weather conditions, any personal medication


Dates, Leader(s) and contact (linked)

Paddle Type
Flatwater

Grade
1 (note that you will often be paddling against the peak flooding tide of the month. If you have trouble with river currents, then this may not be for you).

Duration
1 – 2 hrs

Distance
5-10km dependant on fitness of the least fit in the group

Paddle Outline
Departure will generally occur at 7:30pm in Summer and possibly a bit earlier in Winter – check the date and time below.

Paddle Duration
Between 1-1.5 hours – sometimes longer depending on the group and stops

Full Moon Dates
Paddles are scheduled close to full moon dates, but not necessarily on the date. Full moon dates are listed (These are NOT the dates of the paddles. Dates of scheduled paddles are shown above).

  • JAN – Thu Jan 12
  • FEB – Tue Feb 23
  • MAR – Mon March 13
  • APR – Tue Apr 11
  • MAY – Thu May 11
  • JUN – Fri Jun 09
  • JUL – Sun Jul 09
  • AUG – Tue Aug 08
  • SEP – Wed Sep 06
  • OCT – Fri Oct 06
  • NOV – Sat Nov 04
  • DEC – Mon Dec 04

Tides
Strong tides occur during full moons. These paddles will typically include paddling during the peak incoming tide. If unsure of your ability to paddle in these conditions, please gain experience on the river during the daytime first.

  • 25/03/16 Friday – low ~17:30 (16:49@bar – 0.45m) – High ~23:46 (22:56@bar – 2.25m) <--- stronger tides
  • 22/04/16 Friday – low ~16:35 (15:46@bar – 0.43m) – High ~22:49 (21:59@bar – 2.34m) <--- stronger tides

Moon
Full

Sunset
  • 25/03/16 Friday – 17:53
  • 22/04/16 Friday – 17:24

Put in Point
UQCC shed

Take-out Point
UQCC shed

Alternate routes
Turning back earlier than planned

Facilities
UQCC shed facilities

Personal Gear
Bring head torch and a rear WHITE light – white light must be seen from your boat from 360 degrees. Red bike lights are NOT acceptable. Lightsticks (attach to PFD), water bottle, spare clothing for after the paddle, Warm clothing in Winter, clothing to suit weather conditions, any personal medication.

Lightsticks are available from the party section of Coles, Woolworths, and Kmart and should be very cheap. These serve as a backup if your torch fails or gets wet (eg you fall in). Cheap head torches are often found near the battery section of Coles/Woolworths/Kmart ($5-$25). Small LED lights may also be in the cycling section of Kmart.


Required Equipment
As above. Remember – No Glow = No Go!

Double check Equipment
Suitable craft, PFD, paddle, medication, water, footwear

Meet
UQ club shed at 7:30pm in Summer and 6:30pm in winter

Return
UQ club shed approx 9pm in summer and approx 8pm in winter. Potentially later if we stop somewhere and depending on the group.
 

General risks and management

Risks and Hazards
fatigue, hypothermia, cuts and bruises, Boat capsize, Boat traffic, Tendonitis, Paddle induced injuries, wind and current (weather), group separation, Darkness, Submerged hazards

Risk minimisation
Dress for the outdoors. Bring wind/ rain proof cag and warm clothes. Leader to take spare dry clothes, spare torch, and tow rope. Advise trip leader of any medical conditions beforehand. Make participants aware of boat traffic and keeping to the sides of the river unless crossing. Group to stay in close configuration. Be prepared to return to the shed early. Paddle distance within limits of group.

Trip to be run in accordance with UQCC trip guidelines. Safety and communication gear to meet club trip requirements for grade of trip, and includes the equipment (below). Weather to be reviewed beforehand and updated during the trip where possible.


Paddler Requirements
Paddlers should have a basic level of fitness, and participants to be paddling in a boat which they are familiar and stable in. Participants must bring thier own lights or glowsticks to paddle or risk missing out. Individuals must self-assess their, and their equipment’s, ability to participate in this level club event (grade 1) and should consult the trip leader if any aspect of their suitability requires clarification.

Participants must be familiar with, and have demonstrated, a T-rescue (in sea kayaks) while a member of the club.


Safety Gear
tow ropes, PFD, bailer, torch, light stick.

Communication
whistles, mobile phone(s)

Emergency contact(s)
UQ Security (07) 3365 1234 (3365 3333 if emergency). Also 000.

Medical conditions
Please advise leaders if you have health issues or injuries that may affect participation (eg asthma, diabetes, heart conditions, allergies, epilepsy, etc)

Medical centre
Princess Alexandria Hospital or the Mater Hospital

Registration info
No registration necessary, just turn up 🙂

Bad weather alternative
Paddle will be called off in the event of storms or if the weather looks like it could deteroate into unsafe paddling conditions

Costs
None

General contact: Martin Wynne