SOCIAL PADDLING The social paddle is planned as a relaxing and un-demanding experience, suitable for everyone of all abilities and skill levels.   As a rule, MPC social paddles will be held on a stretch of flat water, such as a tidal river or estuary with simple launch sites. The vast majority of social paddlers will be using a ‘sit in’ kayak of 4.5 meters or more in length.  Some wear a full spray skirt and others choose a sun deck or neither. We are normally on the water for about 3 hours with at least one snack break / leg stretch.  There is also a shorter paddle option on most trips. Social paddlers will have had some prior paddling experience or a basic skills assessment. We also like to get together for a coffee afterwards.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT Kayak of at least 4.5 meters. (Serviceable, correct size for the individual) A suitable paddle (comfortable, correct length, reliable construction) A paddle leash. A PFD II (personal floatation device) with safety whistle attached on a lanyard. Clothing suitable for paddling and prevailing weather conditions. Sun screen, hat, water, snacks

Short Boat Surfing As the title suggests, we surf in short boats.  By short boats we are really defining ‘play boats’ or ‘rodeo boats’ the kind one would associate with white water paddling.  A lot of these kayaks’ design features also lend themselves to being very playful and heaps of fun on clean, steep waves or rough foam pile, as we find on the popular ‘surfers’ beaches along our coastline. The surf zone is certainly not the place for the faint hearted though, we wear helmets for a reason! It sure helps if you have a good Eskimo roll, as there are plenty of opportunities for a sound dumping.  Confident boat control with sound paddle strokes and good spatial awareness is crucial. RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT 1 x play boat (under 3 m long). 1 x short/strong paddle. 1 x well-fitting PFD.  1 x  paddling helmet. 1 x firm fitting spray deck. 1 x pair nose clips. 1 x thick skin. Surf sessions are inherently at short notice, as and when conditions permit.  Interested surfers are added to a distinct mailing list and notified accordingly.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT 1 x Sea Kayak 1 x strong paddle. 1 x well-fitting PFD.  1 x  paddling helmet. 1 x firm fitting spray deck. 1 x pair nose clips. 1 x thick skin. Surf sessions are inherently at short notice, as and when conditions permit.  Interested surfers are added to a distinct mailing list and notified accordingly.

Long Boat (Sea Kayak) Surfing A long kayak, such as the true sea kayaks that most of us paddle, surf or ‘run’ very nicely on a gently rolling swell often found over a sand bar or reef.  Not as manoeuvrable, but so much faster than the play boats, sea kayaks will broach or ‘go sideways’ on a wave and be difficult to recover.  The mastering of a ‘High Brace’ and confident boat control will prevent a sound dumping.  Of course all this can be learned on the sea skills sessions.

Sea Skills Technical and Sea Skills Paddle ‘Sea Skills’ is a program that we are running, based on the Australian Canoeing Award Scheme.  It is an ongoing series that teaches participants the various skills and techniques necessary to promote confidence and proficiency when paddling in the ocean Whilst the ‘Sea Skills Technical’ sessions are predominantly stroke or technique specific and carried out at a static location, the ‘Sea Skills Paddle’ will normally be a two or three hour coastal or off-shore trip, allowing participants to use their new techniques in a realistic environment. Once a paddler has reached an acceptable level of proficiency, they will then enjoy the opportunity to paddle away on our extended coastal trips.

White Water Kayaking With our climate the white water season is normally a very short one; July – Oct typically.  Hence we leave the paddling calendar looking a bit skinny at this time of year, so we can nip away to a flooding river at short notice for some river rapids action. We will run some introductory and familiarization sessions at the start of the season as and when required. PARK & PLAY: If a particular rapid is working well, we just park ourselves close by and spend some time playing in it.  Most paddlers will use this time to push their limits and enhance their skill level, to get used to the river again; surfing in holes & waves or rolling in the eddies.  It’s also a great opportunity for the novice to learn some essential techniques and gain confidence in swift water, before venturing out on a longer run. RIVER RUNNING: For the initiated paddler, the next stroke is to paddle the whole section of a river, to negotiate all the tricky rapids and features that will trip up the unwary and probably enforce a cold impromptu swim. This type of environment of course, has its own inherent hazards and risks, whitewater paddling is a dangerous activity. Paddling with an experienced group who have trained together will lessen these risks and offer a safer more enjoyable experience for all. Required Equipment: 1 x play boat (under 3 m long). 1 x short/strong paddle.  1 x well- fitting PFD & whistle. 1 x paddling helmet.  1 x firm fitting spray deck and lots of warm paddling clothes. Other accessories will become necessary as the paddler gains experience.

Canoe Polo (Social Rules) Purely a summer season activity.  Played at the pontoon enclosure at Kayaks 4-U with just social, non-competitive rules and no special tactics.  Just good clean, fun without winners or losers.  With the minimum of skill level and fitness, all specialist gear provided, players only need their paddling clothes to enjoy an hour or two and keep fit.

Expedition Paddling

Every now and again a small group of intrepid club members will plan a paddling expedition, in which they will pack all the gear they need for the trip into their kayaks, and head off along a coastline or down a river, camping on the beach or bank as they go. The trips vary from a local overnighter to a full week away a bit further afield.

Memorable expeditions include;   Paddling from Bunker Bay, back along the coast to Mandurah over 4 days. Setting off from Bridgetown and heading down the Blackwood River, to Augusta over 6 cold, gruelling days.

Around another beach campfire

Finishing 6 day trip to Augusta

2 days down the blackwood river

Paddling Weekends Away

A few or more times a year, we either book a holiday house or a number of powered camping sites and a gang of us get away for a long weekend or whatever time we can fit in around wwwwwork.  Previously we have stayed at: Bridgetown in June / July (white-water weekend) Camp / caravan Augusta in April (Sea kayaking and river paddling) Camp / site van Rottnest in August (Sea kayaking / surfing) Chalets Jurien Bay in May / June (Sea kayaking / surfing) House Alexandra Bridge April (River paddling) Camp / caravan Guilderton in March (River paddling) House /chalet Toodyay in August (Avon Descent paddling) Hotel / motel We intend to keep revisiting some of these great places and discover new venues each year. These trips are very popular.  Places are limited and tend to book out soon after posting.

Mandurah Paddling Club Training