Southern NSW - Flat-Water Paddle and Rescue Skills Workshop (Canoe and Kayak) - Kangaroo Valley, NSW (Kangaroo River)

Workshop Aim: This series of paddling workshops are aimed at providing Venturers, Rovers and Leaders with opportunity:

• To develop flat, moving and whitewater paddling and paddle activity supervision skills, knowledge, and abilities/experience (Kayak or Canoe).
• To accumulate logged performance evidence to contribute towards currency or qualification in Scout and/or VET Flat, Moving and Whitewater paddling Units of Competency (Safe Participant, Trained Participant, Assistant Guide and Guide).

Scheduling: This workshop is one of two workshops:

• Saturday 08 & Sunday 09 October 2022 – Flat-water canoe and kayak paddle and rescue skills (Kangaroo River) – Cost $54.00 per participant
• Prelim to Whitewater Workshops: Thursday 27 October 2022 – MS Teams Virtual Information Session – Free participation
• Saturday 29 & Sunday 30 October 2022 – Moving & white water canoe and kayak paddle skills – (Childowla - Murrumbidgee River). Camping at Nanangroe Capsite on the Murrumbidgee River – Cost $52.00 per participant

Kayak and canoe participation. Kayak and canoe skills development will be separated during the workshops, so participants will need to select either Kayak or Canoe. 

Activity Pre-requisites. There will be no prior experience required for those who attend all of the workshops. If individuals seek to participate in the Whitewater workshop, without participation in the flat-water workshop, they will need to have completed a recent Guide run paddle and rescue skills development package or have Guide witnessed whitewater skills/experience.

Equipment. Participants will select kayak or canoe for these workshops. Participants will require an appropriate servicable paddle, PFD, whistle, wetsuit (or dry suit), water shoes, Cag / rain coat, barrels/floatation, white-water helmet, etc. Those seeking to kayak will be required to bring a Kayak. There are a limited number of canoes available on request. Particpant kayak/canoe arrangements will need to be confirmed with the Workshop Activity Leader (Mic Doyle) at least a week prior to the workshop (There will be scope for a participants to borrow from a limited pool of paddle equipment, barrels/flotation, paddles, etc). Canoes and kayaks intended to be used will need to be a suitable modern plastic hull design (It would be useful if boat type and make could be confirmed as part of registration). 

Activity Area. This activity will be conducted on the Kangaroo River between Hampton Bridge and the Link Paddock.

Catering. This workshop will be self-catered by participants. Particiopants should bring lunch, snacks and water to each workshop for consumption during allocated breaks (There is no scope to buy takeway food during breaks, as lunch breaks will occur on the water where there are no shops).

Accommodation. Participants will be camping at the Bendeela Recreation Reserve (Campsites have been booked for the nights of Friday 07 and Saturday 08 October 2022). 

Transport. Own means or car-pooling as arranged with participants from similar areas.

Road Access: Please note that the Kangaroo Valley Road from mossvale to the Kangaroo Valley is currently closed. Access to Bendeela is currently gained from Nowra and significant road works delays can be experienced. It is encouraged for participants to camp Friday and Saturday night to avoid impact on workshop participation.

Workshop Locations. The workshop location will be confirmed in the week leading up to the workshop, based on safe water conditions and levels. Where water conditions and levels are not appropriate for the safe conduct of a workshop, every effort will be made to find an alternative location for the workshop.

Qualification Acquisition. This workshop will present opportunities for development and demonstrate evidence required for Scout and/or SAIT VET qualifications. All participants seeking qualifications should register with the Scouts Australia Institute of Training (SAIT) and complete the Adventurous Activities On-Demand Scout Central e-Learning units relevant to the level of qualification they hold or seek (Core, Common Core and Canoeing/Kayaking). Workbooks will be made available on request to participants for preparation of knowledge evidence for Scout and/or SAIT VET qualifications.