Pumicestone Passage Weekend

Date

Weekend 31st August & 1st September2013

Trip Leader(s)

Michael Wynne with Joseph Powell (2IC)

Description

Bribie passage is a scenic wilderness area with plenty of bird life.
The trip will commence at Bribie Bridge soon after 11am (low tide) and paddle up the passage with the tide past Toorbul and Donnybrook where we may stop. We will camp at Mission Point where there are toilets. We will depart the next morning at about 8am to explore the fish breeding reserve of Tripcony Bight where there are good views of the Glasshouse mountains. Then we will paddle past Long Island and explore the narrows before paddling 6 km up Coochin Creek to our cars. The distances are 14 km each day plus any exploring of creeks we do along the way.

Paddle outline

Saturday 31st August

• 6.30 am Load trailer with kayaks

• 7:30 am Depart for Bribie Island

• 9 am Arrive Bribie Bridge to unload kayaks and do car shuffle

• 11am Paddle commences

• Lunch, on the beach along the way

• Snack break and ice creams at Donnybrook

• 3-4pm Arrive Mission Beach and set up camp

Sunday 1st September

• 8 am Depart Mission Point

• 10 am Snack break at mouth Coochin Creek

• 1pm Arrive at Coochin Creek camp site (cars) for lunch

• 2 pm Depart for Brisbane

• 4.30 to 5 pm Arrive at club shed

Duration

Two days

Paddle type

Sea Kayaking

Grade

1

Distance

28 km over 2 days (with prevailing wind and tide except for last 6 km)

Paddle duration

8 hours (including 1 hr 50 min break and rest periods during kayaking)

Tides

Saturday 31st

• Low At Bribie Bridge 11.30 am

• High at Mission beach at about 9 pm

Sunday 1st

• High at Mission Beach at 9.30 to 10.30 am

Moon

Last Quarter only 30% full (neap tides)

Sunrise/Sunset

Sunrise 6.03 AM; Sunset 5.34 PM

Put in point

Beach north of Bribie bridge, 11 AM

Take out point

Coochin Creek camp site at 1 PM

Alternate take out points

• Donnybrook or Toorbul

• Coochin Creek mouth.

Alternate route variations

May explore creeks along the way

Facilities

There are toilets available at Mission Point but no other facilities. Bring Clothes, Tent and Camping gear, 3L of water per day, enough food (Two lunches, one evening meal and one breakfast – snacks while paddling ) for the full trip!

Personal Gear

Hat, kayaking gear, sunscreen, food. Towel and warm dry clothing. See guide here for guidance.

Costs

Wear and tear contribution for club gear. Petrol money to your driver, and a few extra dollars in case of coffee stop or unplanned ferry trip

Meet

UQ Club shed

Meet time

6.30 AM, Depart for Bribie Island 7.30 AM

Meet time at Bribie Bridge

9 AM to unload boats with trip briefing at 10.45 AM. Depart 11 AM.

Return

Load kayaks onto trailer and depart Coochin Creek by 2 PM. Return to Brisbane by 5 PM

Risks and Hazards

Sunburn, fatigue, hypothermia, dehydration, Sea sickness, cuts and bruises, Boat capsize, Boat traffic, Tendonitis, Paddle induced injuries, wind and current (weather), group separation.

Safety Gear

Split paddle, tow ropes, paddle float, whistles, compass, PFD, bailer, Sea kayak with deck lines and sealed compartments, hand pumps, PLB, V sheet, flares, mobile phone(s), First aid kit, chart., torch,

Emergency Contact(s)

VMR Bribie Island Ph: 07 3408 7596

Medical Conditions

Please advise leaders if you have health issues or injuries that may affect participation

Required preconditions

1. Demonstrated wet exits and sea kayaking T rescues (on the pool)

2. Able to maintain speed of 4km/hr for 1hr 15 min (club shed to green marker and back)

Numbers

Minimum 4 and up to 12 people (including leaders) depending on skills level and sufficient cars to transport paddlers and kayaks.

Map Launch Point

Register info

Register your interest early even if you have not yet met pre-conditions and are not sure if you can make it yet so we can see how much interest there is and estimate numbers to book camp sites etc. As far as possible it will be first come first served . (subject to the need for sufficient able paddlers and transport for people and kayaks) with a wait list in case of cancellations. You will be required to confirm that you want to come by Friday 16th August when we will look at numbers and contact you. You will need to confirm that you can meet the preconditions by Monday 26th August when your place will be offered to someone else.

If you are interested please email Michael with “Bribie” in the Subject line so that he has your email. He will check you are a member and then send you a link to a form where you can register your interest, give your details and later confirm your booking and that you have completed the preconditions. Please indicate when you register your interest whether you have transport and if you have roof racks for kayaks. If you have not kayaked with the organisers before, please give some indication of your skills level to assist planning. It will not be fun if you are not up to it.

Register by

Friday 16th August 2013 and after that contact Michael to see if space.

Bad weather alternative

The passage is relatively sheltered and with following tides and wind we will only cancel if winds are too strong. A more limited trip in the sheltered creeks and narrows is also possible

Costs

Wear and tear contribution, petrol money for your driver, $2 to the person who pulls the trailer.