Enclosed Waterways Paddle Safety Day

Could you get yourself back into your kayak if you capsized? Would you know how to help someone else?

Our popular Flatwater Paddling Safety & Rescue Training is back this summer!

This practical, hands on day is designed to give recreational paddlers the skills, knowledge and confidence to enjoy our inland waterways safely.

Whether you’re new to paddling or have years of experience, there’s always something to learn when it comes to safety on the water.

WHO IS THIS DAY FOR?

This day is ideal for recreational paddlers who enjoy exploring lakes, rivers, reservoirs and sheltered waterways using:

• Sit-on-top kayaks
• Fishing kayaks
• Recreational sea kayaks
• Touring kayaks
• Canoes

Suitable for beginners through to experienced paddlers wanting to improve their safety awareness, paddling techniques and rescue skills.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

1. Kayak Safety & Equipment

• Understanding different kayak designs and their limitations
• Essential safety equipment and correctly fitted PFDs
• Paddle selection, kayak stability and loading
• Communication devices and emergency equipment

2. Planning & Risk Management

• Understanding weather forecasts and changing conditions
• Wind, waves and their effects on different craft and bodies of water
• Identifying hazards, currents and submerged obstacles and what to do 
• Choosing suitable paddling locations for your experience and ability

3. Essential Paddling Skills

• Safe launching and landing
• Efficient forward and reverse paddling
• Turning, stopping and manoeuvring
• Maintaining balance and stability
• Controlling your craft in windy conditions

4. Capsize Management & Rescue Skills

A major focus of the day is learning what to do when things go wrong.

Through practical, on water exercises, you’ll learn:

• How to manage an unexpected capsize
• Safely exiting your kayak
• Staying with your craft and recovering equipment
• Re entering your kayak from the water
• Assisted rescues and helping another paddler
• Managing swamped or overturned craft
• Understanding the rescue limitations of different kayak designs

Rescue activities will be adapted to participants’ craft and individual abilities.

WHY DO THIS COURSE?

Many recreational paddlers spend years enjoying the water without ever practising what to do if they capsize.

Knowing how to paddle is one thing. Knowing how to manage an emergency is another.

Our aim is to help you become a safer, more confident and self-reliant paddler, with practical skills that could make all the difference when something unexpected happens.

HOW IS THE COURSE DELIVERED?

This is a practical, hands-on training day combining short instructional sessions with plenty of time on the water.

Training is delivered by experienced instructors holding Paddle Australia sea kayaking and whitewater qualifications, along with swiftwater rescue qualifications.

You’ll learn in a supportive environment, with opportunities to practise essential paddling, capsize and rescue techniques.

WHERE & WHEN?

Location: Cowwarr Weir, Victoria
Date: Saturday 9 January 2027
Start: 10:00 am
Finish: 3:00 pm
Cost: $100 per person

Lunch: BYO lunch, snacks and drinking water.

LIMITED PLACES DUE TO RATIOS

Don’t wait until something goes wrong to find out what you don’t know!