Learn to Paddle

A Taste of Paddling will recommence in October 2016.  

The Burley Griffin Canoe Club holds 'A Taste of Paddling' session for those people who would like to try out kayaking.  The sessions are held on the Molonglo River in calm conditions close to shore. 

Session dates are:

Sunday 23^rd October

Sunday 20^th November

Sunday 11^th December

Session times:  1pm till 4pm.  Cost $95- per person (for non members)  

Participants will be able to try out a variety of boats and SUP’s (Stand Up Paddle boards), learn about equipment, boat handling, entry and exit techniques, basic paddling techniques and basic capsize procedures. Participants are expected to be able to swim 50m.

Sessions will be run over 3 hours and all boats, life jackets and paddles are provided.

The aim of the course is to introduce you to the sport of kayaking and to deliver the skills necessary to use a recreational kayak safely, in calm, flatwater conditions, close to shore.

The course will cover a short introduction to a variety of boats and paddles, safety issues, entry and exit techniques, basic paddling techniques, what to do in a capsize.

Sessions not suitable for children.

If you’d like more information, please contact Patricia on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you are paddling in NSW please note:

From 1st July 2016, in NSW, all kayakers need to be wearing a lifejacket at all times.
The 100 metre rule is gone.

The only one exception is if you are “accompanied”, which means either…

1. …in a vessel which has more than one occupant over 12
2. …another paddler is close enough to render immediate assistance

This probably means:

1. If you were in a double kayak and are now in the water, nobody is in a position to render assistance
2. Immediate assistance means less than 20 metres away at all times and is very subjective

So wear a lifejacket on and avoid the fine!

(Fines have increased to $250 as well.)

The advisory note is here… http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/maritime/reg-change.pdf

The full legislation is here… http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/#/view/regulation/2016/308/part6/div3/sec123

14/08/2016: An update on Lifejackets and the "accompanied" rule...

Sutherland Club had a visit from maritime today and they have consulted their legal team following up on queries from paddlers. Lots of queries apparently.

This year the AGM was held at Molonglo Reach, at 11:30 a.m., after the Sunday morning time trials. The meeting was preceded by a Club Shed walk-around, (starting at 11 a.m.) where members of the Club Shed Extension Committee explained the proposed building extensions: where and why of the different building directions, requirements of different governments’ agencies rules on building materials, etc. They were also available to answer any questions you may have had about the benefits of the proposed extension – giving club members more space for both a greater number of club boats for members to use, as well as storage by the river of more members’ own boats.

The walk-around was followed by the more formal AGM at 11:30 a.m. – with annual reports from club committee members and conveners. There was then a vote on proposed changes to the club Constitution, which were passed. Then the actual election of club positions - where all official club positions were declared vacant and all financial club members were eligible to stand for and vote on all Official, Committee and Other positions. The results of these elections are being sent out in a club email.

The proposed Constitution changes have been published in the August issue of “Blazing Paddles” and are available in the link below.

Constitution Changes

Click the following to download the BGCC 2015 Constitution (171kB PDF).

The meeting was followed by a delicious club barbecue lunch: thank you Litsa!