Trip Reports | Cooks River and Botany Bay

Twenty10 Paddle

Cooks River

28 November 2022

By DARBY CARR

Twenty10 are a Sydney-based organisation working across New South Wales, providing a range of specialised services for young LGBTIQA+ people including housing, mental health, counselling and social support.

It was a gorgeous Sunday in late November, and the Cooks River really put on a great show for the crew from Twenty10. After a couple of months of planning and building community relationships, we had an epic king tide and jacaranda flowers on the water, as ten young peeps, plus RCC support staff, headed out in canoes to paddle the river.

It was inspiring to see people conquer and embrace the canoes. Rob Walker gave amazing instruction to the young people, really encouraging teamwork, paddling technique and perseverance, and we all learned a thing or two. By the end, people were singing and having a wonderful time. We ended the day with a delicious barbecue.

Brigid Cleaver and Jenny Saleeba inspired all to collect rubbish as they went, and I believe we might have some new Mullets on board. Simon Wilkes supported the venture from beginning to end and was there helping out to make the day a great success. A big shout-out to Bron at Paddle NSW and Annabelle at Paddle Australia, who supported the day too. The great news is this will be an ongoing partnership with Twenty10 and we hope to do this twice a year. Thanks to all volunteered who their time to make the event very special.

A round of applause to all the young people who came. It can be hard turning up to places that you don’t know are safe. I was so impressed to see them at the Clubhouse on a Sunday morning, when Sydney trains had stopped running. It was an amazing day for all and I am grateful for the Club to be involved and supporting such a great organisation and for us to provide a safe, inclusive paddling space. Great work!