Paddle Gippsland

Develop your sea kayaking skills in enclosed sea environments on the beautiful Gippsland region.

Spend 4 days with us on journey-based paddles and experience some of the best paddling locations in southern and eastern Victoria.

Locations

Possible locations are weather dependant and may include, but are not limited to:

  • Gippsland Lakes or

  • Nooramunga National Park (Port Welshpool/Port Albert - Snake Island) or

  • Lake Tyers

In 2018 we paddled from Lake Wellington (see below) and finished in Paynesville, crossing Lake Victoria twice. This year we will start in Lake Victoria - probably either in the vicinity of Paynesville or Loch Sport / Emu Bight area and explore down into Bunga Arm for a more remote camping experience.

 
Paddle Gippdland 2018
 

As always, our programs are weather dependant - our route will be determined in the days leading up to this event and may be adjusted through the course of the journey to fit with the forecast weather.

THE PROGRAM

Activities focus on developing your skills, knowledge and experiences of:

  • Navigation and route planning to compensate weather conditions and tidal influence (where applicable)

  • Weather interpretation

  • Safety equipment for day and overnight paddling

  • Planning a kayaking adventure: expedition gear, kayak outfitting, waterproofing and packing a kayak

  • Understanding the clothing, equipment and provisions used in sea kayak expeditions

  • Camp cooking - recipes, menu planning, fresh / preserved foods, portable stoves, dehydrating

  • Developing kayak camping skills - utilizing principles of minimum impact camping and using tarpaulins to provide shelters in sun or rain - tarpology and knots

  • Developing leadership skills for group management.

  • Paddling skills - including kayak control

  • Rolling and self-rescues

  • Towing and managing rescue situations

Please be aware that we ask participants to make their vehicle available to assist with car shuttles if necessary. 

Meet: 8.30am, location to be confirmed, in southern Gippsland. Location will firm up in week prior to the programme.

The program will conclude around lunchtime on the Friday.

Minimum numbers: 4 participants

Prerequisites: Completion of our Sea Starter Course or equivalent experience. 

Accommodation: Stay tuned! Weather dependant - will be a mixture of commercial camp grounds and National Parks (cost not included).

National Parks campsites in the Gippsland Lakes National Park have drop toilets and in most cases tables and bench seats and fireplaces.

Equipment: Participants will need to bring their own kayak and personal kayaking equipment, dry bags, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, rain jacket, rain pants, change of clothes, cooking and eating equipment and 2 person tent. Hire of kayaks and camping equipment can be arranged at extra cost.

We will send you a more comprehensive gear list upon registration.

Food: BYO food. We can offer some menu suggestions. Bring food with you as there will probably not be any opportunity to shop once we start our journey.

Further Information

A gear list will be provided as part of your Registration package, but here are some ideas for preparation for overnight kayaking trips and the type of gear that we use and recommend:

Sleep Systems - tents, sleeping bags, mats and accessories
Dry bags and cases "The Truth about Dry Bags"

Youtube Videos on preparing your gear for a kayak trip and packing your kayak:

How to Make a Dry bag - Sea to Summit Stuff Sack
How to Load a Sea Kayak
How to Waterproof Your Sleeping Bag

 
 

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