Posted on

Reduced Membership Price for the Rest of 2022

Due to the impact of Covid and the Floods, members have delayed renewing or joining. The committee has decided to reduce the (re)joining cost for 2022 by charging only the Semester price for a memberships from mid-May 2022. This is better value than the Semester membership, so please join as an ordinary member.

For the rest of 2022, the cost of ordinary membership is now
$60 for UQ Students and $75 for everyone else (that’s 30-40% off).

Please join/renew here !

Posted on

Returning to Normal (Covid Plan Suspended)

Following widespread community vaccinations, the government and University have eased Covid requirements. The club committee has now responded by suspending the club covid plan (v5), and is now adhering to general University of Queensland and government health advice. If additional controls are needed for events, this is addressed via associated risk assessments.

Members should not participate in club activities if they are Covid positive or have covid-like symptoms. They are encouraged to follow University advice regarding mask wearing, social distancing, and vaccinations.

Consequently the club no longer requires members to become “Solo Paddlers, submit Solo Paddling declarations, or adhere to online shed booking protocols.

Posted on

Returning to Paddling

Finally we are able to return to paddling!

It’s been a tough year with Covid peaking in Queensland, followed by significant floods. The shed flooded and some boats were lost, although most were saved. The insurers and UQ Sport took over the shed while assessments were made, cleaning was completed, and UQ’s Properties and Facilities division worked to repair the building. This has taken some time.

We have only recently regained access again to the shed. Thanks very much to the members who helped do a final cleanup of boats and preparation for a return to paddling. Unfortunately we were immediately faced with more heavy rain and minor flooding. This didn’t affect us directly, but it did delay reopening as it made the river unsafe to use.

The Club pontoon is out of action, but we are able to paddle on the river by using the rowing club pontoon (please be considerate of other users as we are guests!).

The UQ pool is still out of action, so there is no canoe polo at this stage.

Swim tests (400m and treading water) is can be completed at another swim centre. A formal letter from the public swimming pool is needed for UQ Sport to accept this.

It will take as a little longer to re-organise club trips as these take time to plan and have approved.

Membership will email you shed access details if you have joined/renewed for 2022.

Posted on

Temporary Halt to Paddling due to Floods

Logo

The club shed was flooded during the recent floods. It is currently closed to members while insurance is sorted out and the shed is cleaned. There were a number of boats damaged, but most are fine and it is not nearly as bad as 2011. Many boats will be available for use once things are restored.

The pontoon is damaged and we are investigating potential access to the rowing club’s pontoon once it is confirmed to still be serviceable and the rowing club agrees.

The pool was also affected, but we don’t know the extent of damage. We will be able to return to polo once the pool reopens.

Swim tests need to be completed at any external pool, but you will need a signed letter from the Pool staff there. Once you supply this to the club, we will arrange a UQ Sport certificate with UQ Sport.

Any questions, please contact the club committee.

Posted on

Temporary Halt to River Paddling

There are currently major Wivenhoe dam releases underway. This effects the river downstream and the conditions are not currently safe for normal club river paddling such as flatwater.

The club has temporary stopped river paddling from the shed until further notice (ie until we are satisfied the river releases and their downstream effects have subsided).

UQ sport will not provide keys to you. If you have any issues, please contact the club committee.

Downstream effects during these dam releases and strong flows include –

  • Strong, continuous, outgoing current – there is the potential that flatwater paddlers will not be able to paddle against this current, or may be swept into overhanging branches and pontoons where there is no longer any clearance (strainers). They could become pinned (the water pushes them and the boat against something and pins them there. Especially if they capsize (which is much more likely).
  • Higher than normal water levels – tree branches and pontoon ramps mayno longer have clearance and become strainers for paddlers
  • Debris – there is a large amount of fast moving debris in the water. Not just a large amount of of branches, but also there are entire trees and some pontoons as well as other rubbish. Sewers have been known to overflow into parks and creeks and ultimately the river during these kinds of events.
  • Eddies – The fast flow results in large eddies (water flowing the other way) in places along the side of the river. This generates eddy lines (and small whirlpools) which can be difficult to navigate – especially for the inexperienced or those in very tippy boats.

Club grade 1 and 2 white water activities are an invaluable means of learning about moving water and for building the experience to recognise, avoid, handle, and even enjoy it. You’ll become familiar with rapids, eddies, strainers, pinning, etc. This is all something you can encounter at a lower level if you come across moving water while paddling flatwater boats and sea kayaking.