Kangaroo Valley Expedition - 8-10 November 2024 - Expressions of Interest

Expressions of interest are invited for a club expedition to Kangaroo Valley from 8-10 November 2024 (2 nights) with a shorter option to join for 9-10 November (1 night). Kangaroo Valley is regarded by many as the most spectcular flat water paddle close to Sydney. Paddlers will paddle on Lake Yurrunga including into the Shoalhaven Gorge where the lake narrows and is sided by near vertical cliffs of around 400m elevation.

The three day paddle will commence from Bendeela Camping Ground and paddle to Beehive Point (15km) on day one. After setting camp, if desired paddlers, paddlers may paddle into the "sunken forest". On day two, the group will paddle to Tallowa Dam and rendezvous with any single night paddlers before paddling on to Fossickers Flat for the second night (21km total). On the third day the group will paddle back to Bendeela (a further 34km). Any three day paddlers wishing for a shorter final day may be able to finish at Tallowa Dam and get lift to Bendeela with one of the two day paddlers. They will need to arrange this themselves. There is also an option to paddle Bundanoon Creek on the third day.

The two day paddle will start at Tallowa Dam on Saturday 9 November. It will depart with the three day group when it arrives from the paddling from Beehive Point. This group will need to be ready to paddle on the water at 10am. For this group the distance will be 13.5km each day with an option to paddle Bundanoon Creek on the Sunday which would add up to another 10km.

Club boats will be available for this trip at a cost of $50 to cover wear and tear. Paddlers using a club boat will need to arrange pick-up and transport of the boat either individually or with other paddlers.

Why are we asking for Expressions of Interest?

This trip is not suitable for beginners. This paddle is into remote wilderness with no access to any supplies, including drinking water. At some points we will be 14km from the nearest road/firetrail and there are no walking tracks. There is no mobile phone network anywhere on the route. Each paddler will be responsible for carrying their own equipment and supplies including water (although you could arrange to share some things like tents and cooking equipment to reduce volume and weight). You need to have suitable gear to pack into your boat (a seakayak or canoe). For these reasons the club needs to be satisfied that anyone joining this paddle has the right abilities and equipment for both safety and enjoyment reasons.

Next Steps

Organisers will contact anyone that registers an expression of interest directly and talk through the plans to establish suitability for this paddle. Organisers will arrange a group booking for 20 people. If there are more than 20 participants those places will be on a first-come-first-served basis. Subject to availability, any additional people will need to register/book a camping spot for the night(s) they are staying themselves (its very easy). WaterNSW and NPs that manage the area charge $6 booking fee which is non-refundable. As there are limited numbers of bookings available and it's a first come-first served basis, please register your interest early so that you are not disappointed if it becomes full.

What if I'm not ready for this paddle or don't have the right equipment?

Paddling is a journey and it takes time to develop skills and endurance. If you are not ready yet you no doubt will be soon. This trip will be run again so you will get another chance. The club can also run other trips to Kangaroo Valley with car based camping and with day trips from the Bendeela Camping ground. These are still fantastic to be part of. The next car based camping trip is likely to be in the early Autumn

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** PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING**

1. Covid Safety Plan - the club has one . Please read it. Please follow it. Thank you.

https://rivercanoeclub.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Covid-Safety-Plan-RCC-updated-Nov-2020.pdf

2. Please register (and don't just rock up..) We may need to cancel. We need to confirm and manage numbers.

If due to adverse weather and/or unforeseen reasons, the session will typically be cancelled via eventbrite - so it's just one of the many reasons to register first.

3. less experienced paddlers may be well paired or grouped (preferably with another member of same household.)

For your safety, less experienced paddlers will typically be paired up and paddle with more experienced paddlers.

Thanks for your understanding and happy (safe) paddling

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Other useful information:

https://rivercanoeclub.org.au/club/information-for-new-members/

For more general information about paddling with the club, getting started etc - check out the club's website at www.rivercanoeclub.org.au

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