For the next few weeks there will be regular river paddle sessions at 8 AM on the river.
These paddles are to help new members and beginners familiarise themselves with paddling, the club and the river., and to meet other members.
Contact: Steff
The Pontoon is back with Canoe Launching Platforms
The new pontoon is in operation. There are lower kayak launching platforms on the inside of the pontoon.
When you take boats up or down the ramp, please rest and slide them over the end of the pontoon at the bottom the ramp. Sit the end in the water as you manoeuvre the boat around and onto the pontoon.
There is no need to lift boats over the ramp railing (it is awkward). If you are doing this, you are doing it wrong 🙂 . If unsure, please ask experienced members to show you.
Warning
The bottom end of the ramp moves backwards and forwards when waves pass under the pontoon (eg when boats go past).
Never stand near the end of the pontoon!
2024 Trips – Dates to be confirmed
A number of trips are being organised for 2024. Dates need to be scheduled so they are listed here until this is worked out. Links to similar previous trips are provided so you can get an idea.
All trips and dates are subject to scheduling limitations and availability of volunteers to lead them.
Sea Kayaking
- Brunswick Heads weekend (Martin)
A three day trip to Brunswick Heads (north of Byron Bay in NSW. We will explore the rivers to the south, north (Brunswick Heads to Billynudgel), and West (Brunswick Heads to Mullimbimby). - Pumicestone Passage Weekend (Leader TBC)
Paddle the full length of Pumicestone Passage along Bribie Island (Caloundra – Bongaree). Similar trip here. - G2: Redcliffe to Bribie Island Return (Martin)
A day trip paddling the longer more exposed northern Moreton Bay. Similar to this trip. - Intro to Navigation (Martin)
An evening learning about marine navigation for sea kayaking - Intro to tides and weather (Martin)
Learn the basics of tides and weather – essential for trip planning and paddling safe in the bay and sea. - Bongaree to Red Beach (Martin)
Paddle around the bottom of Bribie island. Learn / Practice small surf entry/landings. Similar to this trip. - Fraser Expedition (5- 9 day trip to Fraser Island) (Martin/ Wendy)
A multi-day trip from Urangan (Hervey Bay) along the side of Fraser Island to Awinya (or Wathumba) depending on the duration. Similar to this trip. Aiming for September. - Southern Fraser Island Trip (Steff/Jane/Martin)
A three day trip camping at Coolooloi on the south of Fraser Island. This will be similar to this Poona/Fraser/Tin Can Bay trip, or this trip.
Flatwater
- Explore the Entire Brisbane River (Leandro)
Over the year we plan to paddle the full length of the Brisbane River from Wivenhoe Dam to the mouth with a combination of day and weekend trips- Norman Creek and Brisbane River to the club shed (Martin)
Paddle the available length of Norman Creek, visit the Powerhouse at New Farm Park, and return to the shed along the river
- Norman Creek and Brisbane River to the club shed (Martin)
Other Trips
- Coochin Creek (Martin / TBC)
A day trip paddling the beautiful Coochin Creek off the Pumicestone Passage. Similar to this trip.
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.
Rescheduled Sem 2 events
A technical issue with the access to the club shed resulted in a number of activities and events being rescheduled (typically a week later than originally planned).
Apologies for the changes, but the website should now be updated.
Solo Paddling – Paddle Anytime (almost)
Solo paddling allows club members to paddle (almost) anytime on the river. Members must agree and adhere to covid safe protocols, and potentially act as “covid safe” delegates of the club. A list of what you did to do to become a solo paddler is listed here. Once you complete the solo paddling requirements you will be given access to a key at UQ sport and codes to access the shed and the shed bookings.
Access is subject to government and UQ Sport Covid restrictions which could change at any time.
Booking Shed Access
To go for a solo paddle you must first book shed access time. This ensures you do not overlap with other paddling activities and shed access. Check the list of booked time for the dates and times already booked so you do not overlap (there is a filter box at the bottom of the list). Solo paddlers cannot book more than a week in advance (this ensures access for other activities are not interfered with).
Groups of Solo Paddlers
Up to four solo paddlers can paddle together. They must all be club approved solo paddlers. The solo paddler that books shed time will indicate in their booking if the paddle is open to other solo paddlers (up to 4 paddlers total). They will act as the club’s covid-safe delegate. If you would like to paddle with them you need to contact them directly beforehand.
Contacting Solo Paddlers
Solo paddlers can use their access code to register their contact details via the website. Other solo paddlers can use their access code to look up these details and contact the solo paddler directly if the solo paddler chooses to make them available.
Swim Test Renewals
New and renewing members need to complete their UQ Sport Swim tests.
Many renewing members are due to renew their swim test this year. Please renew close to the start of the year as this will make the club admin a lot easier and reduce the chances of interruptions to your paddling.
Please check the Covid-safe Calendar for Canoe Polo session times when we have the pool booked. Alternatively check with UQ sport for other times (eg weekends)..
Membership Renewal in 2020 (Covid)
Membership renewal for 2020 is complicated by the advent of Covid-19 and the temporary cessation of club activities. The constitution limits what the club can do, but the main concern is fairness to members.
We don’t know how long we will be in hibernation in 2020 (and this may vary). Currently we are working with UQ sport to restart basic activities soon – prior to semester 2.
The club has undertaken to reduce the membership fee next year (2021) proportional to the 2020 hibernation period for members who rejoin for 2020. This way the the time you cannot paddle in 2020 due to covid will be offset in 2021.
This means members who rejoin for the full year in 2020 will not lose out. Indeed it is the most cost effective way to rejoin over the 2020/2021 period.
Renewal fee options approved by the committee include
- Renew for the full 2020 year with the fee offset in 2021.
Your membership fee in 2021 will be reduced proportionally based on the final 2020 club downtime due to Covid-19. - Rejoin once second semester commences
If you are planning to rejoin in 2021 it will be more cost effective to join for the full year, and have a reduced fee in 2021. - Potentially refund first semester 2020 (eg for a semester 1 only memberships).
We hope to restart BEFORE second semester
In 2020 membership will be initially limited to existing and former members (not new members), while we manage the introduction of Covid adapted paddling activities.
Please
Rejoin now
so you will be ready to get back on the water as soon as we restart.
Previous Committee 2018-2019
EXECUTIVE
President: Henry Friend
Vice President: Sam Duniam (until Jan 2019)
Treasurer: Darren Bennett
Secretary: Siti Abdul Khalid
REPRESENTATIVES
Sea Kayaking: Vacant
Flatwater: Siti Abdul Khalid
Whitewater: Henry Friend
Canoe Polo: Callum Finglas (Paul Bowtell until Feb 2019
OFFICERS
Equipment: Vacant (Jose Rehbein until Dec 2018)
Membership: Haiou Qu (until June 2019)
Training: Paul Bowtell (from Feb 2019)
Publicity: Vacant (Yukang Wang until Dec 2019)
Fundraising and grants: Charlie Hsu (until Feb 2019)
Social: Vacant (Yukang Wang until Dec 2019)
Internet: Martin Wynne
Thanks for voting.
Here are the results so far. Bookmark this page and revisit it to see updated results.
