Introduction to Whitewater Paddling Workshop - Canoe / Kayak (Venturers, Rovers & Leaders)

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

• To establish and maintain a safe, competent and networked Scouting paddling community capable of supporting, enabling and facilitating Youth paddling opportunities.
• To develop the skills, knowledge and abilities/experience (Kayak or Canoe) necessary to enable activity leaders to progress towards paddling competency and water activity supervision capacity required to plan and lead safe, fun, challenging and rewarding paddling activities in inland moving and white waters rivers. 
• In addition to face-to-face learning, provide opportunity to accumulate logged performance evidence to contribute towards currency and/or qualification in Scout skills (Safe Participant & Trained Participant) and/or SAIT assessment of VET Flat, Moving and Whitewater paddling Units of Competency (Required for Assistant Guide and Guide appointment).

This workshop is one of a series of workshops:

• Weekend of 28/29 March 2026 – Flat-water Canoe / Kayak Trained Participant Workshop (Venturers, Rovers & Leaders) – Kangaroo River / Lake Yarrunga – Cost $70.00 per participant.
• Weekend 0f 23/24 May 2026 – Introduction to white-water canoe/kayak workshop – Murrumbidgee River (Childowla / Nanangroe / The Gables). Camping at Nanangroe Reserve – Cost $70.00 per participant.

Kayak and canoe participation. Kayak and canoe skills development will be separated during these 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 both workshops. If individuals seek to participate in a Whitewater workshop, without participation in a preceeding flat-water workshop, they will need to have completed a recent Guide run paddle and rescue skills development package or have Guide witnessed skills/experience.

Equipment. Participants will select kayak or canoe for these workshops. Participants will require:

·       Paddle Gear - an appropriate serviceable paddle, PFD, whistle, wetsuit (or dry suit), water shoes, Cag / raincoat, barrels/floatation, white-water helmet, etc (A detailed packing list will be provided to registered participants by email). 

·       All personal clothing for the duration of the activity and for sleeping and eating during the activity (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, food, cooking gear, etc). 

·       Those seeking to kayak will be required to bring a Kayak. There are a limited number of canoes available on request. Participant 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 participants to borrow, with prior arrangement, 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 comments). 

Activity Location. This activity will be conducted on the Murrumbidgee River between Childowla, Nanangroe Reserve and The Gables. This activity will start and finish and camping will occur at the Nanangroe Recreation Reserve.

The workshop location and campsites 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.

Catering. This workshop will be self-catered by participants. Participants should bring breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and water for consumption during allocated breaks (There is no scope to buy take-way food during breaks, as breaks will occur on the water where there are no shops nor refrigeration. There will be no access to vehicles during the day’s activities, but camping will likely be co-located with vehicles).

Camping. Participants will be overnight camping on the evening of Saturday 23 May 2026 at Nanangroe Recreation Reserve. Participants may wish to camp at the Nanangroe Recreation Reserve on the evening of Friday 22 May 2026, to allow them to be at the start point in sufficient time for the workshop start time. Camping at this campsite is free. 

Transport and paddle craft transport. Own means or car-pooling as arranged with participants from similar areas.

Qualification Acquisition. This workshop will present opportunities for development and to demonstrate evidence required for Scout Skills and/or 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).