To find out about unofficial private trips organised independently by members of the club, please attend some of the regular weekly paddling sessions. You need to make friends and network. Meet other experienced club members who share common interests, and perhaps organise your own private trips – commensurate with your abilities and experience.
Contacts
For enquiries regarding specific trips, please contact the person organising the trip.
This is your chance to learn how to paddle the exciting sport of
whitewater kayaking. The Wivenhoe trip is a beginner trip, and is only 80kms from Brisbane city. It has one class two rapid, plus a small amount of reliable moving water, flowing into a big flat section.
We aim to teach people things like breaking in and out, general safety, a
little about river features as well as general boat control skills.
It’s a great trip to find out if whitewater is for you.
Date: Sun 25th March 2007
Duration: All day
Destination: Wivenhoe Spillway
Paddle type: Whitewater kayaking
Numbers: Max 13 people – book soon
Pictures: Pictures from a previous introductory day are available
Requirements:
No experience necessary– the club has all the gear you need
Basic fitness
You must be able to swim (as with ALL club kayak activities)
What to bring: You will get wet – very wet – think swimming. Therefore bring swimming gear and a towel, plus shorts and a shirt. It can get chilly in the water, so if you have thermals, you can bring them, but not necessary. Footwear that can get wet (not thongs), lunch, more than enough water, Sunscreen Cost: $10 donation toward boat maintenance is the norm, plus petrol money for your driver. Transport: If you can drive, and take passengers, or take boats (ie have roof racks), please contact the trip organiser with how many passengers (excluding you), you have room for. If you require transport from the boat shed, please contact the trip organiser. If you have a medical condition or something else that you think should be known about, please let the organiser know. Meet: 8:00 AM at UQ Canoe club boat shed (building 30) (departing 8:30-9:00AM) Return: Approx 4:00 PM Contact/Questions to: Steff (whitewater rep)
Basic Whitewater Skills at Goolang Ck – Sat-Mon 7th – 9th April
Goolang creek is the best place to develop your skills in a Kayak.
This weekend is for people of all skill levels to get out and play or
learn. Some of the senior club members will be teaching you the
important skills required to paddle whitewater safely. We will camp
right next to the river.
Goolang Creek is 35 kms west of Grafton. It has about 2kms of grade 1-3 rapids (to compare, the little rapid at Wivenhoe was Grade 2). It is about a 4-5 hour trip each way from Brisbane.
Date: Sat 7th to Mon 9th April 2007
Paddle type: White water
Duration: 3 days
Destination: Goolang creek
Paddle type: Whitewater kayaking
Numbers: Max 8 people
Cost: $10/day donation for boat maintenance plus $8 for camping is encouraged, and about $30/40 for petrol (~1000 km round trip)
Meet: at the boat shed at 4.30 PM in the afternoon. (I won’t get there til 5.00, but others will be around, and you can start packing the trailer). We will leave from there after packing.
Return: Monday night – LATE
Contact: Stephanie Looi – whitewater representative or 0421 135 477 (mob)
Things you’ll need –
You will get wet – very wet – think swimming. Therefore bring swimmers and a towel, plus shorts and a shirt. It can get chilly in the water, so if you have thermals, bring them. Re Clothing – try not to bring cotton to wear on the river as you will get cold. A rashie, thermal, or something similar is a much better idea.
Footwear that can get wet (not thongs).
Normal camping clothing (don’t forget the jumper).
Camping gear – the club has some gear (tents, stoves, sleeping mats, bags), so let me know what you need, and we can arrange it. Torch
Food – you will be doing plenty of exercise, so bring plenty of food. If you can get into small groups for cooking, it may be easier
Sunscreen, Insect repellent (the bugs can be viscous), Water bottle (but you don’t need water)
Requirements
Be able to swim (essential).
Basic fitness.
Be a current financial member of the club (ie make sure you’ve paid your 2007 membership renewal)
If you can drive, and take passengers, or take boats (ie have roof racks), please contact me with how many passengers (excluding you), you have room for.
If you have a medical condition, allergy or something else that you think I should know about, please let me know.
Intro to Whitewater Day – Sun 19 August
This is your chance to learn how to paddle the exciting sport of
whitewater kayaking. The Wivenhoe trip is a beginner trip, and is only 80kms from Brisbane city. It has one class two rapid, plus a small amount of reliable moving water, flowing into a big flat section. We aim to teach people things like breaking in and out, general safety, a
little about river features as well as general boat control skills.
It’s a great trip to find out if whitewater is for you.
If you have basic paddle skills, you will have more fun (ie be able to paddle in a straight line), but this is not essential. It is useful to have attended some training sessions beforehand – particularly Polo pool training sessions, sea kayak training sessions, or just Saturday morning introductory sessions.
Date: Sun 19th Aug 2007
Duration: All day
Destination: Wivenhoe Spillway
Paddle type: Whitewater kayaking
Numbers: Book soon – limited places
Pictures: Pictures from a previous introductory day are available
Requirements:
No experience necessary– the club has all the gear you need
Basic fitness
If you have a medical condition or something else that you think I should know about, please let Steff know beforehand.
You must be a fully paid-up club member to come on this trip
You must be able to swim (as with ALL club kayak activities)
Bring your logbook (school exercise book) if you keep one
Prior bookings are essential
What to bring: You will get wet – very wet – think swimming. Therefore bring swimming gear and a towel, plus shorts and a shirt. It can get chilly in the water, so if you have thermals, you can bring them, but not necessary. Footwear that can get wet (not thongs), lunch, more than enough water, Sunscreen Cost: $10 donation toward boat maintenance is strongly encouraged, plus petrol money for your driver. Transport: If you can drive, and take passengers, or take boats (ie have roof racks), please contact the trip organiser with how many passengers (excluding you), you have room for. If you require transport from the boat shed, please contact the trip organiser. If you have a medical condition or something else that you think should be known about, please let the organiser know. Meet: 8:00 AM at UQ Canoe club boat shed (building 30) (departing 8:30-9:00AM) Return: Approx 4:00 PM Contact/Queries to: Steff (whitewater rep)
Beginner Surf trip – Sun 9 September
An introductory surf skills day for whitewater. We will go to Snapper rocks or Currumbin, depending on conditions.
** UPDATE **
THIS TRIP IS CANCELLED DUE TO BAD WEATHER CONDITIONS
Currently (Wednesday 5th Sept) the swell prediction is for 5 foot swell on both the Gold and Sunshine Coast. Unless this prediction drops, the official club trip will have to be cancelled.
My apologies, but for the fun and safety of everyone involved, I hope you
understand.
Steff
***********
Date: Sun 9th September 2007
Duration: All day
Destination: Either Snapper Rocks or Currumbin depending on conditions
Paddle type: Whitewater kayaking
Numbers: Book soon – limited places
Requirements:
Basic boat control skills
Basic fitness – if you have a medical condition or something else that you think should be known about, please let the organiser know.
If you have a medical condition or something else that you think I should know about, please let Steff know beforehand.
You *must* be a fully paid-up financial club member to come on this trip
You must be able to swim (as with ALL club kayak activities)
Bring your logbook (school exercise book) if you keep one
Prior bookings are essential
What to bring: You will get wet – very wet – think swimming. Therefore bring swimming gear and a towel, plus shorts and a shirt. It can get cold in the water, so if you have thermals/wetsuit top or something similar, you can bring them, but not necessary. Footwear that can get wet (not thongs), lunch, more than enough water, Sunscreen Cost: $10 donation toward boat maintenance is strongly encouraged, plus petrol money for your driver. Transport: If you can drive, and take passengers, or take boats (ie have roof racks), please contact the trip organiser with how many passengers (excluding you), you have room for. If you require transport from the boat shed, please contact the trip organiser. Meet: 7:00 AM at UQ Canoe club boat shed (building 30) Contact/Queries to: Steff (whitewater rep)
Club Christmas trip to Byron Bay – 24/25 November 07
This is your chance to learn how to paddle the exciting sport of
whitewater kayaking.
Date: Sun 12th March 2006
Duration: 8.30 AM return around 5 PM
Destination: Wivenhoe Spillway
Paddle type: Whitewater kayaking
Numbers: Max 13 people – book soon!
Pictures: Pictures from a previous introductory day are available
Requirements:
No experience necessary– the club has all the gear you need
Cost: $10 donation for boat maintenance
Meet: At UQ Canoe club boat shed (building 30) at 8:30 AM sharp!
Contact: Paul Bates (via email) or 0413 586 551 (phone)
Trip Report
We had a very successful trip to Wivenhoe Dam with 17 people turning up for the trip (a few more than had booked, but it worked out just
fine). Pictures are available off-site
Basic Whitewater Skills at Goolang Ck – Sat/Sun 1st-2nd April
NOTE: If you are already a confident whitewater paddler (can roll in
moving water etc…) and don’t need instruction, and are willing to
use the boats we don’t need, then feel free to come along. It will be
great to have you guys there!!! (There are some great play waves!!!)
Goolang creek is the best place to develop your skills in a Kayak.
This weekend is for people of all skill levels to get out and play or
learn. Some of the senior club members will be teaching you the
important skills required to paddle whitewater safely. We will camp
right next to the river.
Date: Sat 1st and Sun 2nd April 2006
Duration: 2 days
Destination: Goolang creek
Paddle type: Whitewater kayaking
Numbers: Max 8 people – book soon!
Cost: $10/day donation for boat maintenance plus $8 for camping and
about $15 for petrol
Contact: Simon Vos – whitewater representative
Prior bookings are essential – maximum of 8 people
Nymboida River – Easter Weekend Fri-Mon 14-17 April
We will be kayaking/rafting down the Nymboida River from Platypus Flat
to the Junction. People who can’t make the whole duration of the trip
can arrive on Saturday evening and meet us at the Codhole.
Date: Fri 14th to Mon 17th April 2006 (Easter weekend)
Duration: 3-4 days
Destination: Nymboida River
Paddle type: Whitewater kayaking
Numbers: Max 6 persons on raft and about 6 kayaks. – book soon!
Cost: $10/day donation for boat maintenance about $20-$30 for petrol
and a little more if you want to get on the raft
Contact: Simon Vos – whitewater representative
Prior bookings are essential – maximum of 6 or 12 people
Introduction to White-water Day – Sun 20 Aug 2006
Anyone interested in white-water kayaking is encouraged to come on this training trip. Details will be posted soon. Check back here.
Time: Sun 20 Aug
Duration: 1 day
Paddle type: Whitewater kayaking
Requirements: Basic fitness. Prior bookings are essential
Gear: Swimming clothes, shoes you can get wet, sunscreen, hat, towel, water (2L), food (we will visit the local bakery on the way up)
Meet: UQCC Canoe Shed at 8AM, return about 4:30PM
Destination: Wivenhoe Dam
Contact: Simon Vos (whitewater kayaking rep)
Beginners Surf/White-water weekend 26 Aug 06
A semi-social trip to Byron Bay to train/play in the waves. This trip is sea-kayaking friendly, and confident sea kayakers are welcome. This is a chance for white-water and seakayak folks to meet up, compare skills, and share the odd beer.
Fri 25th: Drive down in the evening (or the next day if you can’t make it Friday) Sat 26th: Camp, Surf, Sea kayak, sit by fire and have a good time. Sun 27th: Camp, Surf, play and head home at a reasonable hour.
Time: 25/26-Aug 2006
Duration: 2 days/1-2 nights
Paddle type: Whitewater kayaking (competent sea kayakers welcome)
Requirements: Basic fitness. Prior bookings are essential
Gear: Camping gear, kayaks, food, hat, sun protection, towel, swimming gear, water bottles, safety gear (life-jackets, helmets, etc), 2L water
Meet: Friday 25th Aug (evening) at boat shed around 6PM. Drive to Byron.
Destination: Byron Bay
Contact: Simon Vos (whitewater kayaking rep)
Tully trip – 22-30 September 2006
Time: 22-30 September
Duration: 9 days
Paddle type: Whitewater kayaking
Requirements: Basic fitness. You must be able to roll competently to go on this trip. Places are limited, so book in advance.
Gear:
Meet:
Destination: Tully
Contact: Simon Vos (whitewater kayaking rep)
For changes & additions to the report, please contact the webadmin
The club regularly organises trips to destinations off campus. These can be one day, weekend, or multi-day trips located in Queensland or interstate. Destinations are typically rivers, lakes, estuaries, islands, and bays around south-east Queensland. Sometimes they even include artificial beaches (aka South Bank) for competitions or exhibitions.
To find out about planned official club trips, please consult the trip/event calendars for each kayak area.
There aren’t always enough places in official trips for all members to learn as much as they would like. Additional, unofficial trips are often organised amongst individual club members on a private basis, without the involvement of the club committee. Instead, enthusiastic members put together their own trip where they can spend more time learning from each other. Because private trips are among friends, they can more quickly respond and adapt to prevailing weather conditions and circumstances.
To find out about any private trips, come to the regular paddle sessions, meet people, network, and make friends with club members who have similar interests.
Please be aware that the club is not associated or involved in any trips organised by its members on a private basis. The club does not monitor, organise, or necessarily have particular knowledge of privately arranged excursions.
Organise your own Trips
If you are an experienced paddler, you might consider going on your own trip somewhere, preferably with other paddlers. Better still, you could organise an official club trip if you have sufficient competence (this requires committee approval). The club may also help subsidise any accredited training that you undertake which will help you to organise trips (prior approval of the committee is required for this too).
This page shows a list of weekend tide times and some potential trips that are favourable for the tides.
The list is a guide to aid club trip planning and scheduling and may include errors and misinformation. Not all trips have been attempted and information could be wrong or unfeasible. Conditions may also have changed since a trip was last attempted. Please check the official tide times, do your own additional research and scouting, and make your own trip plans carefully yourself.
The club has secured a Queensland government grant to improve the level of sea kayak and whitewater skills within the club. The club is in a position to significantly subsidise members in the following certified courses –
First aid courses
Flatwater guide/ instructor courses
Level 2 sea leader courses
Swiftwater Rescue courses
The club expects to get something back from people whose courses it subsidises. Accordingly, these subsidies will be awarded according to a number of criteria. These will include things such as past participation and contribution to club activities, likelihood of future contribution and participation in club activities, and suitability of the course to the individual.
If you would like to do a course, please submit the course you would like to do, when you would like to do it (check Queensland canoeing’s calendar), and a short summary of why you think the club should subsidise your course.
Contact Dave ( club vice-president ) for details and course submissions.
Look for details from Qld Canoeing’s course calendar for the courses and times you are interested in
In addition to the regular Saturday social paddling and weekday paddling sessions, extra training sessions are sheduled periodically through the year – particularly around the beginning of semester when there is an influx of new members. These training sessions usually have an emphasis on a particular canoeing discipline, but don’t be put off. The skills covered in these sessions include many that are useful for ALL types of kayaking. Training with different types of boat is also desirable because it helps you to adapt your skills, practice, and gain more experience. Sometimes a skill is easier to learn in a particular type of kayak.
Skills sessions for any kayak discipline are open to all club members
Sessions cover many basic skills used with all kayaks
Training arrangements for the different disciplines are generally as follows.
Sea Kayaking skills – Periodic sea kayak assisted rescue and paddle stroke training on the UQ pool. Sessions typically cover basic and then advanced paddle strokes, manoeuvring, wet exits, recoveries, and rescues. Check the pool calendar for sessions (training takes place alongside canoe polo). Introductory sea kayaking sessions are generally held later as a separate trip.
Canoe polo skills (pool training) – a series of evening sessions in the university pool, using “polobats” and other smaller kayaks, or any kayak if desired. Sessions typically cover paddling techniques, manoeuvring, wet exits, recoveries, rolling, ball skills, etc. These sessions are a chance to practice your skills in fresh water.
Flatwater skills – sessions on the UQ pool that include beginner and advanced paddle stroke training, and occasionally assisted rescues specific to fragile flatwater boats (TKs and Ks). Check the pool calendar for sessions (training takes place alongside canoe polo). Other flatwater trips to local dams are periodically organised with the aim of helping members progress from basic kayaks to racing kayaks (TK1s and K1s).
Whitewater skills (intro day) – these training sessions are typically held only once per semester. They are day trips that take place below Wivenhoe dam using whitewater kayaks. It helps to have attended other skills sessions prior to this. Sessions typically cover paddling techniques, manoeuvring, wet exits, recoveries, rolling, moving water techniques (ferrying, eddy turns, peel-outs), with the option of negotiating a rapid. [Note these sessions no longer run after the 2011 floods destroyed the location]. Playing canoe polo is a useful way to develop necessary whitewater skills.
Internet Resources – a great deal of training information is available by searching the net. A great place to obtain information and demonstrations of basic paddle and rescue techniques is http://kayakpaddling.net.
New Members
New members with little paddling experience will find the most convenient and useful training sessions are the polo sessions in the pool, followed by the sea kayaking pool training and river paddle sessions. These will help you to get more out of the training trips in Moreton Bay and at the dams, although they are not a prerequisite.
Remember that if you are very new to paddling, and have little idea what to do, then you should come to the regular Saturday, or Tuesday/Thursday morning paddling sessions(at least until you are competent by yourself). On Saturday mornings there are other more experienced club members available to give you tips, help you choose the right boat, and to assist you should you get into difficulty.
To find out about unofficial private trips organised independently by members of the club, please attend some of the regular weekly paddling sessions. You need to make friends and network. Meet other experienced club members who share common interests, and perhaps organise your own private trips – commensurate with your abilities and experience.
Contacts
For enquiries regarding specific trips, please contact the person organising the trip.
Mike Brown, Jonathon Peake, Ben Barry and Carolyn Proellochs kayaked to Peel Island from Victoria Point to spend a night on Peel Island and paddle back the following day. A lovely smooth paddle with sea turtles and wrecks to look at. The camp site in Halfmoon Bay is a nicely sheltered spot.
MORETON ISLAND
On a lengthier crossing Jonathon Peake, Mike Brown and Ben Barry, from the club, left from Manly and headed straight for the Moreton Island Little Sand Dunes after a brief stop on Green Island. Dugongs were about on the trip over, and the middle day of the trip provided a nice opportunity to paddle along Moreton’s bay side shores with a dolphin. The trip back was via St Helena Island swinging close to Mud Island.
Sea Kayaking Trips for Andrew Kapa, John Pascua, and friends.
During the year Andrew and I participated in a sea kayaking proficiency course at Mooloolaba under the instruction of Gayle Mays. Since then, we have undertaken several sea kayaking trips.
Two separate trips were conducted over 2 and 3 days through Moreton Bay. The first I did with friends, going from Victoria Point through Karragarra Island and Maclay Islands to Blakeley’s Anchorage at Straddy and then to Peel Island where we camped over night. It was a big paddle the next day, as we made it to St Helena Island. We were lucky to have a SE wind behind us as we continued through to Nudgee Beach. My colleagues made use of this wind and used their sails. I had a hard time keeping up so I ended up scoring a tow – I know, I’m a cheat! But I wasn’t going to get left behind.
The next trip through Moreton Bay, Andrew and myself went with two other friends. Leaving from Cabbage tree point we paddled North and then through the passage between Karragarra Island and Russell Island (where we stopped for brunch) and then over to Blakeley’s Anchorage where we set up camp. It was a great paddle – very calm and reasonably warm. We were even fortunate enough to see dolphins, turtle’s, and a dugong.
The next day we paddle to Peel Island where we had lunch on the North side in the Mangroves. We then paddled over to Green Island to camp. On the way we privileged to see a humpback whale and it’s calf only 20 metres off our bow. It was awesome! When we got to Green Island we copped a low tide and we had to negotiate an oyster reef. I’m bringing my oyster knife next time.
The third day saw us paddle over to Whyte’s passage and up the Brisbane river to New Farm – stopping at Colmslie Beach for lunch. We paused at Whyte’s Island for half and hour to watch a pod of dolphins play and I guess ambush fish. They came right up to the kayaks though – a fantastic experience.
Andrew and I then tackled the Pumicestone Passage. We had no idea what it was going to be like so we put in at Coochin Creek and paddled through to Caloundra. It ended up being too short. We were finished in a couple of hours. We did get an idea of how strong the currents were in the passage though. Tides should be taken into account.
So our most recent trip ended up being the whole passage – from South Bribie Island to Caloundra. We timed it with the tides and camped over night at Mission Point (across from Donnybrook). You can’t miss Mission Point, it’s well signed and very obvious on the Bribie Island side. If you ever camp there, take heaps of mozzie repellent though. They were really bad. We nicknamed it Ningi Point (“Ningi” is aboriginal for “mozzie”).
I took my fishing rod and yabby pump on the trip. There were heaps of yabbies on the bar in front of the point but fishing in front of the campsite was full of snags. I have found a good nearby fishing spot since but you’ll have to come out paddling with me to find out where. The tides, by the way, were extremely helpful in making it a pleasant trip.
