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Paddling

Paddling is a great way to experience nature and the outdoors – a totally different perspective from the water.

A variety of options exist in the Scout program to try out some new skills – canoeing, kayaking, sea kayaking and stand up paddle boarding to name a few.

How to make it happen

All scouting activities are subject to Scouting policies and procedures. Adult Leaders are responsible for ensuring the safety of Scouts and the compliance of activities and undertakings with Scouting policies and procedures.

How to find a Paddling Leader?

For an up to date list of endorsed Paddling Leaders in your district click here

Paddling Activities for Beginners

Beginner Options

Come & Try Paddling – West Lakes
Saturday, 7 September 2024

This half day event allows Scouts, Venturers & Rovers with limited or no paddling experience to come out learn about paddling sit-in kayaks & canoes and have some FUN. Youth will be taught various paddling strokes.

Suitable for: Scouts, Venturers & Rovers

OAS Paddling Focus: Stage 1-4

 
Come & Try Paddling – Karkana District Event
Saturday, 28 September – Sunday, 29 September 2024

A paddling event for Joeys to Rovers in the Karkana District, to be held at Clare. Youth can get out and have some fun experiencing kayaks and canoes. Youth are taught the basics of what they need to get ready for paddling and parts of a boat before getting out on the water.

OAS Paddling Focus: Stage 1-2

Suitable for: Joeys to Rovers

Contact: BC.paddling@sa.scouts.com.au 

 

Come & Try Paddling – Torrens District Event
Saturday, 30 November 2024 (Possibly Sunday, 1 December 2024 also)

Districts will be allocated a day where groups of cubs and joeys can get out and have some fun experiencing canoes and sit on top kayaks for a two hour session.  Youth are taught the basics of what they need to get ready for paddling and parts of a boat before getting out on the water.

OAS Paddling Focus: Stage 1-2

Suitable for: Joeys & Cubs

 

Activities will be advertised on the Scouts SA Paddling Teams Facebook page, Scouts SA All Leaders Update and MyScout when open for registration.

Contact: ABC Paddling Events at abc.paddling-events@sa.scouts.com.au

Paddling Activities for Intermediate and Advanced

Intermediate & Advanced Paddling Opportunities

Rakali – Paddling Adventure
October, Date TBA

A multiday paddling journey suited to advanced flatwater paddlers. Journey includes paddling for multiple days of 15km or more. Youth will need reasonable experience with light weight camping and a high level of paddling skills.

Suitable for: Scouts, Venturers and Rovers

Pre-requisites include completion of:

  • OAS Paddling Stage 3 and actively working on Stage 4, PLUS
  • An overnight paddling journey. Rakali – Overnight is a great opportunity to gain experience required. Paddling logbook may be required at registration.OAS Paddling Focus: Stage 4-5

Rakali is the Ngarrindjeri’s name for a native water loving mammal. It is often also referred to as a water-rat and scientific name is Hydromys chrysogaster, which translates as “golden-bellied water mouse”. The Rakali is at home both in the water and on the land, which is where we see all Scouts enjoying their paddling during the day and camping at night. 

 
Garden Island
Sunday, 24 November 24

A full day paddling between 7-10 km at beautiful Garden Island exploring Mangrove creeks and the ships graveyard. Day includes learning how to pack for a journey, capsizing and rescues (weather dependant).

Suitable for: Scouts 13 ½ up, Venturers, Rovers

Pre-requisites:

  • OAS Paddling Stage 2, PLUS several short paddles such as the Paddling Teams West Lakes Come and Try or a Scout unit short paddling activity such as SuperSplash.

 

Contact: ABC Paddling Youth Support at abc.paddling-youthsupport@sa.scouts.com.au

Scouts SA Watercraft Hire

The following are some options for youth members, noting that Activity Standards and Procedures apply to all paddling activities.

Roonka Water Activities Centre

Located at the Roonka Scout Property (10Kms North of Blanchetown on the Murray River), Weanie Waves (sit-on kayaks suitable for Joeys), Canoes and Kayaks are available for hire

Costs:

  • $15.00 Weeniewave (Sit on top kayak) For billabong use only
  • $25.00 Single kayaks
  • $35.00 Double sit in kayaks or Canoes
  • All boat hire includes paddles and PFD/life jacket

Pricing covers up to 24 hours hire

Contact:

Visit here

Scout Groups in Your Area

Plenty of Scout Groups in South Australia have watercraft to support our Youth Program, so ask around. If you are unsure, please use the contact details below.

Costs: Vary depending upon local group procedures.

Contact: oas.support@sa.scouts.com.au

 

Suggested Locations

Please Note: Safety Standards and Procedures apply to all paddling activities.

Patawalonga, Glenelg North

Accessed from the Centre for Adventurous Activities, the Patawalonga is a great location for beginners.
Please Note: Rainfall and stormwater can affect water quality of the Patawalonga – Please refer to Page 4 of the EPA Patawalonga Water Quality Guidelines

Garden Island, Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary.

With a resident pod of dolphins, a 10,000-year-old mangrove forest, and the Ships Graveyard Maritime Heritage Trail, the Port River around Garden Island and North Arm is one of the most interesting places to go kayaking close to Adelaide.

Roonka Water Activities Center

Located 10Kms North of Blanchetown on the Murray River, Roonka has both a safe enclosed Billabong suitable for all ages, together with easy access to the Murray River for short or longer trips.

SA Water Reservoirs

Some South Australian reservoirs are open for free kayaking and canoeing, with more opening for access across the year. The Warren and South Para Reservoirs are worth a look – see Reservoirs SA for further information.

Super Splash

An end of year relaxed event featuring a vast arrange of activities, including paddling trips along the Murray River

Suitable for: Venturers and Senior Scouts

Dates:

  • TBA

Costs:

  • TBA

Further Information: TBA
Contact: supersplash@sa.scouts.com.au

Scouts SA Paddling Team

 

The Scouts SA Paddling Team provides adventurous and diverse opportunities to Scouts and Leaders of all backgrounds. We achieve this through a commitment to providing extensive training to recognised standards. The team comprises of adult leaders with a passion for paddling. The paddling team supports paddling at larger branch events, together with providing support to groups through the provision of training and advice, watercraft advice.

Completing a Canoe / Kayak Training course and becoming an endorsed paddling leader is a great way to support youth members to experience SA’s great paddling destinations, network with other paddling enthusiasts, and develop more advanced skills.

Contact Branch Commissioner (Paddling)
Amanda Lee bc.paddling@sa.scouts.com.au

Training and Skill Development

Please refer to the Adventurous Activities Training page for further details in relation to training pathways and the National Adventurous Activities Framework

For Training Pathways, please refer to:

Canoe / Kayak Training Course

These courses provide skills across canoe or kayaking together with required core skills in camping, bushcraft and outdoor leadership to prepare for paddling adventures.
For further info, please refer to the Paddling Training FAQ

Flat Water Kayak and Canoe Training Courses – 2024

Safe Participant Course

Part 1: Glenelg – Saturday, 26 October – Sunday, 27 October 2024
Part 2: Garden Island – Sunday, 3 November

Suitable for: Venturers 14+, Rovers & Adults

Pre-requisites:

  • Nil
Trained Participant Course

Part 1: Online – Wednesday, 6 November 2024
Part 2: TBA – Saturday, 16 November – Sunday, 17 November 2024

Suitable for: Venturers 14+, Rovers & Adults

Pre-requisites:

  • Safe Participant Course

 

Keep an eye on the All Leaders Update, MyScout and the Scouts SA Paddling Team Facebook page for updated information about events including when events open for registration.

Contact and Bookings bc.paddling@sa.scouts.com.au

 

 

Watercraft Registration and Survey Information

Scouts SA require the registration and annual survey of all watercraft used on scouting activities.

For further info, please refer to the Scouts SA Surveying Requirements.
Individual Canoe Registration form

If you need to contact a District Surveyor, please email BC Paddling: bc.paddling@sa.scouts.com.au

District Canoe Surveyor
Adelaide Foothills Brianna Dall
Beadell BC Paddling
Heysen Marcus Windle
Hills to Coast Lewy Huffa
Karkana BC Paddling
Limestone Coast BC Paddling
Lones District BC Paddling
Mawson Mark Shaw
Ridley Paul Leicester
Three Rivers BC Paddling
Torrens John Carr

Paddling References