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
Paddling Activities for Beginners
Beginner Options
Come & Try Paddling
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
NEXT Event: TBA
Westlakes Come & Try
This half day event allows Scouts, Venturers & Rovers with limited or no paddling experience to come out and learn about paddling sit-in kayaks & canoes. Youth will be taught various paddling strokes.
OAS Paddling Focus: Stage 1-4
NEXT Event: TBA
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
Paddling Activity – Garden Island – January 14, 2024
A full day paddling between 7-10km 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 years up, Venturers and 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.
OAS Paddling Focus: Stages 3 – 4
PAST Event: Rakali – Garden Island Day – Paddling – Click here for more information
Paddling Activity – West Lakes – April 7, 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
Pre-requisites:
- Nil
OAS Paddling Focus: Stages 1 – 4
PAST Event: Paddling Activity – Garden Island – Click here for more information
Paddling Activity – Rakali Overnight – April 12, 2024 – April 14, 2024
Paddling activities for Scouts, Venturers and Rovers working towards Paddling Stage 3 and higher, or for those looking for a FUN Paddling activity. A great introduction to paddling journeys, paddling around 25km over two days. Experience with light weight camping is a benefit as youth will be paddling and bush camping under the stars.
Suitable for: Scouts (13 ½ years up), Venturers and Rovers
Pre-requisites:
- OAS Paddling Stage 2 and actively working on Stage 3
- PLUS 1 full day paddling journey of 10km or more. Garden Island Day is a great opportunity to gain experience required.
OAS Paddling Focus: Stages 3 – 4
PAST Event: Paddling Activity – West Lakes – Click here for more information
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: roonkabookings@sa.scouts.com.au
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:
- 1 – 3 December, 2023
Costs:
- TBA
Further Information: TBA
Contact: supersplash@sa.scouts.com.au
Further Reading
For further ideas, check out the following resources:
Paddling Trails South Australia – Paddle SA
7 Parks in South Australia to go Kayaking – National Parks
Trails and Locations for Canoeing and Kayaking on the Murray – Discover Murray River
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
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
|
Summer |
|
|
Sat, 10 Feb – Sun, 11 Feb |
Part 1 – Kayak or Canoe (Flat Water) – Safe Participant Course |
|
Wed, 21 Feb (7:30pm – 9pm) |
Online Session – Kayak or Canoe (Flat Water) – Trained Participant Course |
|
Sun, 25 Feb |
Part 2 – Kayak or Canoe (Flat Water) – Safe Participant Course |
|
Autumn |
|
|
Sat, 2 Mar – Sun, 3 Mar |
Overnight Trip – Kayak or Canoe (Flat Water) – Trained 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.
To become a Trained Paddling Leader Participants will have to attend all three weekends.
Safe Participant will be covered as part of this course.
The flat water paddling training course is suitable for Venturers aged 15 years plus, Rovers and Adults.
Some components of Outdoor Adventure Skills Paddling up to stage 5 will be covered.
Total Cost: $130
Suitable for: Adult Leaders, Rovers and Venturers 15+
Contact and Bookings bc.paddling@sa.scouts.com.au
Numbers are limited and bookings secured once full payment has been made.
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 | Trevor Rogers |
| Karkana | BC Paddling |
| Limestone Coast | Lyndsay Dreckow |
| Lones District | BC Paddling |
| Mawson | Mark Shaw |
| Ridley | Paul Leicester |
| Three Rivers | Roy Stevens |
| Torrens | John Carr |
Paddling References
Need a hand getting Paddling happening?
