White Water at Penrith - looking for company!

[Aegist]

Hi,
I just sent an email out to the discussion group, but I know not everyone gets those, so I thought I would repost it here too.
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I would like to start kayaking out at Penrith Whitewater occasionally, and I don't want to do it alone. So is there anyone who thinks they would be willing to join me? I would like to go sometime in the next few weeks, and so I want to know if anyone else is interested, and what days you are available. I am available thursday-wednesday 6-7, and all other times. So if you are interested, let me know when you can make it.

I have one friend who is keen to go next friday (31st October), which would suit me just great. If someone else can make it at that time too, that would be even better, and I'll make a trip for it.

Even if you can't make that time though, but would be interested in coming at other times, let me know.

If you would *Like* to come, but don't think you are ready for penrith, then let me know too. I might consider doing another eskimo roll training course day - and I think this time I will do it in calmer waters rather than down at Coogee.

PS: More info RE Penrith White Water Recreational Paddling:
http://www.penrithwhitewater.com.au/html_05/kaya/kaya_recr.htm
http://www.penrithwhitewater.com.au/html_05/kaya/kaya_recr_2.htm

Shane

[lubes]

hey mate,
Trev mentioned this to me. Sounds like fun and id definielty be keen to come along. Friday works for me too, so count me in. i should mention though that i havent done this before, so im not sure if im qualified to go straight to penrith, but im willing to give it a go, unless you think thats dangerous without first doing a training course first.
Cheers
Jon

[Aegist]

Hey lubes,
Penrith can be pretty dangerous. As far as rapids go, it is probably one of the safest places (there are lifeguards standing at the ready, and no random debris floating in the water), but with hardly any experience, it is very difficult.

I think the bare minimum requirement should be that you are confident at rolling your boat, and quite strong with your paddling. I'll do my best to impart any extra knowledge I learnt from my one lesson I did years ago and improve on that basis

BTW, below is the trip I posted to the club:
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Ian and I will be heading out to Penrith on FRIDAY the 31st of October to do a few laps of the whitewater course.

If you want to join us, you need to be a strong swimming, able to eskimo roll, and/or be proficient on whitewater. Penrith is a Grade 3 rapid, and is very challenging.

We will be meeting at the Tram shed at about 10:30am, where we will select our boats and gear, and then drive out to penrith in convoy with anyone else who joins us. Entry to the course is $30, plus a $20 deposit for your number. I am not sure exactly how much club gear hire is for the kayaks+paddles+floatation+spraydeck+helmet + wetsuit(optional).

We will probably spend a bit of time practicing rolling on the calm water before anything else, but when it comes to 'practicing' on the rapids, it is all in or nothing - there aren't really any quiet bits to practice on...

It is feasible that people could come along and just spend the day playing on the flatwater section, practising rolling - but that will still cost you $30 entry to the park, plus club gear hire charges, just to play on flat water. I don't mind anyone coming along who wants to do that though.