Canoeing Course for those wanting Trained Participant in Up to Grade 1 slow moving water (No exp necessary)

The purpose of this overnight canoe course is to support members obtain trained Participant in Canoeing on ‘slow moving up to Grade 1 rivers’. We will be canoeing on Lane Cove River and around Cockatoo Island and camping on Cockatoo Island overnight. 

Over the weekend, we will cover:

• Safety clothing and equipment
• Getting in and out of a canoe safely
• Different paddle strokes and posture
• Hazards on the water and how to negotiate them and mitigate risk
• Deep water and drag in rescues
• Rafting up
• Towing (quick release and contact)
• Basic Water Rescues (you need to be able to swim unaided to achieve this)
• Scout policies and procedures

In addition to demonstrating your competence in canoeing over this weekend, to become a safe or trained participant in canoeing, you also need to have:

• a logbook with other canoeing trips logged (these trips can be completed and submitted after this course)

And

• Trained Participant Core Program*
• Navigate Tracked Environments*
• A current first aid certificate which has been emailed to training@nsw.scouts.com.au

*We will not be running these additional units as part of this canoe course but can support in you obtaining these.

You will need to complete the ‘pre-program’ component of each of the following workbooks (see attached) along with a fictitious incident report (template attached) and bring along to the workshop, unless you already have that module recorded in Scoutlink:

• Basic Water Rescue – Safe Participant Folio
• Paddling Flat Water – Safe Participant

During the activity, you will get wet. You will need to wear/bring:

• whistle
• logbook
• any medication you require
• sunscreen
• hat
• morning tea x2
• Afternoon Tea x2
• Breakfast
• Dinner (think Hiking style camp dinner)
• water bottle
• sunsafe clothing (long sleeves recommended)
• wear fully enclosed shoes that will get wet (no crocs, thongs etc)
• clothes to change into if you get wet, and/or for sleeping/travelling home in
• Gear for an overnight self-catered camp and packing should be similar to if you were doing an overnight hike - however, you need to consider that you gear is travelling over water and you may capsize. Dry bags or small barrels are a MUST

The Water Activities Centre will provide a PFD, Canoes, Paddles and a BBQ lunch each day.

Members of the SWASH team will be camping on Cockatoo Island with you.

The evening will be a mix of camp cooking time, free time exploring the island and review time.

Cost of activity includes Cockatoo Island Camping costs.

Activities are subject to suitable weather conditions. If for any reason the event is cancelled, you will be able to rebook or obtain a refund. If you are unable to attend after registering, you will not be entitled to a refund.