Building Skills
There are no limits to describing paddling. You could start by talking about the craft that is used, or the water that is paddled, or what we do when we get on the water: do we paddle for relaxation, the scenery, to exercise, race to fish or in search of adrenaline? Two things are for sure, you face the way you are going and you hold a paddle not an oar! It is fun, challenging and these is oh so much to learn if you want to. And we guess, because you have joined this group, you have come to learn or share in what we believe is to be one of the best activities around.
The challenge for the Club is to help you do just that in the safest and best possible way. You can go directly to the Club’s Paddler Competencies list for a breakdown of the skills you will require for each type of water or conditions that you might encounter. Firstly work out where you fit on the list then work out where you would like to be and that will assist you in determining what you need to achieve. As you step from flatwater to sea kayaking and whitewater you will notice a complexity that will render a competent paddler at one level a novice in the next. The list also provides an indication of the environment you might face. This is further explained by reviewing the Grades for each type of water and the effects that weather may have on the journey.
It is very much our aim to provide you with the opportunity to become competent in your area of interest and increase your skills and knowledge in a great learning environment. This may happen in dedicated sessions or “on the job”, in other words during trips under the watchful eye of more experienced club members. Importantly, it is very much your responsibility to see that you have realistically assessed your skills and knowledge before presenting to a trip on waters that are new to you as you can put both yourself and others at risk if you are not up to the task.
Start by keeping a simple log of your paddling journey. What you experienced, where you went, whom you paddled with and the conditions on the day. Look up the Paddler Competencies list and start ticking off the skills that are deemed essential for that level of water and your goals. Talk it over with fellow paddlers and the trip leader for feedback on how you are going. One thing we all find in common, it takes no time before you find yourself introducing friends and family to the sport and passing on your skill and knowledge. So let’s make that process the best and most rewarding for all.
Further skills can be learnt by attending club events. You probably already know the type of paddling you are interested in, the following pages will help guide you decide what you need to learn and which trips are appropriate for you. Please review the paddler competencies document before presenting to a club trip, if you aren’t sure whether a trip is right for you, contact the trip co-ordinator for advice.
Flatwater Skills
Whitewater Skills
Sea kayaking Skills
Keep an eye on the Club’s list of recommended resources for the fundamentals of paddling and paddling safely. They will be listed again as you proceed through the various training events.
Different skill development programs – something for everyone!
- Beginners Program
If you’re starting out paddling, here’s a great program to fast-track your initial skill development.
2. River Canoe Club Development Pathways
(See below)
River Canoe Club Development Pathways 2025
Building on the Emerging Leaders Program in 2024, the club committee would like to launch some development pathways in 2025. There are several potential pathways to cover a variety of paddling styles and aspirations of members. The committee is seeking expressions of interest for the pathways below:
- Trip Leaders
- Flatwater
- Sea Kayak
- Whitewater
- Open Canoe
Trip Leaders Pathway
Trip leaders are the backbone of our club. Trips don’t happen without a leader to make it happen. The more leaders the club has the more paddling options for all. The plan is to have one evening a month, including training, trip planning and support for new leaders.
Once beyond basic float plans etc the regular sessions could follow the Guide Award criteria.
https://education.paddle.org.au/schemeAssessmentGuidelines/ag-216-Current.html
Flatwater Pathway
Following the Big Beginners in Feb/March a pathway to develop our new paddlers and experienced club members who do not plan to leave the sheltered rivers and bays.
Minimum monthly weekend “Coffee Paddles” building in distance throughout the year with a variety of paddles accessible to all members while also providing a proving ground to transition up.
https://education.paddle.org.au/schemeAssessmentGuidelines/ag-205-Current.html
Sea Kayak – Intermediate/Advanced Pathway
For members who want to build skills and endurance to paddle in exposed conditions beyond the bays and rivers of Sydney.
Monthly paddle of extended distance in varied conditions building up to exposed conditions and open sea. Possible trips may include Lion Island, Bass Point, Jervis Bay
Trips to develop skills listed in Paddle Australia Sea Skills, some of the theory crosses over with the trip leaders.
https://education.paddle.org.au/schemeAssessmentGuidelines/ag-213-Current.html
Core group forms shares the leading role, and sets a goal such as Broughton Island, Whitsundays etc. The core group then needs to find a balance between testing/improving the skills of the core group while providing opportunity to bring aspiring paddlers up.
White Water Pathway
Those interested in venturing into Whitewater, the adrenaline and satisfaction of controlled movement down a rapid.
https://education.paddle.org.au/schemeAssessmentGuidelines/ag-209-Current.html
Open Canoe Pathway
“Kayaking is a sport, canoeing is an art form”
Canoes are often mistaken for slow heavy barges that don’t do what they are told.
There is a whole new world of skills to hone in a canoe.
https://education.paddle.org.au/schemeAssessmentGuidelines/ag-206-Current.html
Between the Coffee Paddles and Intermediate Advances the committee would like to see minimum two weekend trips a month, with the midweek paddles a further bonus/fitness opportunity. If the Intermediate/Advanced level paddlers are involved in both there will be opportunity to know the up and coming beginners.
The plan above is ambitious and cannot be delivered by any one person or even the club committee alone, the structure of these pathways are intended to be peer groups rather than instructor/student. The peer groups will need to work together with support from the club committee to plan a pipeline of event to support the development pathway.
If you are keen to express your interest in the following google form, note to get the most out of these pathways will need a personnel time commitment from you and also a financial commitment to invest in specialist equipment depending on the pathway you choose. Please consider carefully the pathway you signup for, don’t just tick them all.
Contact the Club Committee for the pathways signup link
Learning Resources (being progressively built…)
• Australian Canoeing – Flatwater Instructor and Guide Level 1 – Learner Manual
• River Canoe Club new Flatwater Competency Framework (October 2020)
• Tide forecast – Willyweather.
Basic Rescue Skills
Support Strokes