Graded Events

Grade 1 Event

Paddling in rivers, estuaries, dams and sheltered inshore water.

Examples:
  • Maroochy River.
  • Pumicestone Passage.
  • Lake Cootharaba.
  • Lake MacDonald.
Waters up to 0.5m, no surf, with safe launching/landing points.
Distance covered up to 20km per day, if more than 20km trip coordinators must show in their planning/trip briefing that they have taken the distance into consideration.
If wind is over 15 knots, trip leaders must show in their planning/trip briefing that they have taken the wind into consideration.
Max distance of 1.5NM (2.8km) from shore.
Maintain a cruising speed of up to 4km/hour.
This event is open to members and visitors at Trip Co-ordinator’s discretion.

Vessel Prerequisites

There are various vessel types that are capable of paddling a Grade 1 event.
Club members mostly favour sit-in style, Estuary or Sea Kayaks.
Your vessel should:
  • Be able to float if capsized – It should be well maintained with bulkheads or additional flotation to generate buoyancy.
  • Have watertight hatches.
  • Be able to keep up with the group – Cruise at a speed above 4 klm/hr.
  • Be able to assist fellow paddlers – Stop, turn, tow and rescue.
  • Be able to carry your kit – Water, food, clothing etc.
  • Be seaworthy – Although we paddle in sheltered waters, winds may reach 20 knots with waves to 0.5 m.
Your vessel must:
  • Be equipped with a Painter – A short length of rope tied to the bow. This allows your kayak to be secured and is handy for an emergency tow line.
  • Carry a sponge / bailer – To remove water from your cockpit.

Paddler’s Prerequisites

Paddlers should:
  • Be capable of swimming 10m wearing a PFD.
  • Possess a skills level as per Club Minimum Skills Requirements.
  • Possess an appropriate level of fitness, which will enable them to safely paddle the distance specified in the trip plan.
  • Self-assess their ability to participate in this level Club Event.
Paddlers must:
  • Wear an Australian or NZ Standards approved Personal Flotation Device – PFD Type 2 – with a suitable whistle attached by lanyard.
  • Carry clothing to suit expected conditions – All stored items to be accessible from the cockpit.
  • Wear footwear suitable for paddling, swimming and walking on rocks.
  • Carry drinking water supply to suit expected conditions.
  • Carry nourishment for duration of trip.

Group Prerequisites

The group should carry the following items:
  • First Aid Kit.
  • Spare Paddle.
  • EPIRB.
  • Tow Rope.

Trip Coordinator’s Prerequisites

As per Paddle Coordinators requirements.

Grade 2 Event

Description

Paddling in exposed inshore waters.

Examples:

  • Along the open beaches and headlands.
  • Great Sandy Strait.
  • Lower Moreton Bay.
  • Sheltered sections of the Whitsundays.
Seas to 1m and surf to 0.5m.
Distance covered up to 25km per day. If more than 25km trip coordinators must show in their planning/trip briefing that they have taken the distance into consideration.
If wind is over 20 knots, trip leaders must show in their planning/trip briefing that they have taken the wind into consideration.
Max distance of 5NM (9.2km) from shore.
Maintain a cruising speed of up to 5km/hour.
Open to members (Grade 2 assessed) and qualified visitors at Trip Co-ordinator’s discretion.

Vessel Prerequisites

Your vessel should be a well maintained Sea kayak with at least 2 bulkheads and be fitted with:
  • 6 mm fitted deck lines.
  • Closed toggles / loops at both ends – You hands should not be entrapped by the loops.
  • Tow points.
  • A tow line – 15m with a quick release clip.
  • A pump – Manual or Hands free.
  • A spray skirt.
  • A paddle leash.

Paddlers Prerequisites

Paddlers must possess all Club Minimum Skills Requirements plus:
  • Paddlers are required to have been assessed as competent to Grade 2 level.
Paddlers should be capable of:
  • Performing a self-rescue.
  • Performing an assisted rescue.
  • Entry & exit through small surf.
  • Swimming 20m wearing a PFD.
  • Towing.
Paddlers’ skills should include:
  • Bracing.
  • Edging.
  • Paddle stern rudder.
  • Some familiarity with weather, charts and navigation.
Paddlers should have an appropriate level of fitness and stamina, to enable them to safely paddle the distance specified in the trip plan.

Group Prerequisites

The group should carry all items for a Grade 1 Event plus:
  • Compass and charts.
  • Flares and V – Sheet.
  • Vessel repair kit.

Trip Leaders Prerequisites

Grade 2 Trip Leaders should be experienced Level 1 Paddle Co-ordinators with sea kayaking experience and demonstrated skills in leadership, paddling and rescue techniques.

Grade 2.5 Event

Description

Paddling in open waters.

Seas to 2m and surf to 1m.
These events may require launching and landing through the surf with some time spent in the surf zone.
Distance covered up to 30km per day. If more than 30km, trip coordinators must show in their planning/trip briefing that they have taken the distance into consideration.
If wind is over 20 knots, trip leaders must show in their planning/trip briefing that they have taken the wind into consideration.
Max distance of 5NM (9.2k) from shore.
Maintain a cruising speed of up to 5.5km/hour.
Open to experienced members (Grade 2 assessed) and qualified visitors at Trip Co-ordinator’s discretion.
This is the upper limit of the club’s activities.

Vessel Prerequisites

Your vessel should be a well maintained Sea kayak fitted out to Grade 2 prerequisites:

Paddlers Prerequisites

Paddlers must possess all Grade 2 requirements plus:
  • Have tested their skills in rough conditions (i.e. up to 2m seas)
  • Know their limits.
  • Be self-reliant.
Paddlers should be capable of:
  • Performing several types of self-rescue techniques, reliably and quickly in rough conditions.
The Club will co-ordinate training days covering skills, such as surf negotiation and rescues relevant to Grade 2.5 Club paddles.
If your skills in this area have not been demonstrated to the Club, it is required that you attend one of these days to validate your skills and safety awareness.

Group Prerequisites

The group should carry all items for a Grades 1 and 2 Events plus:
  • VHF Radio.
  • Emergency Lighting.

Trip Leaders Prerequisites

Grade 2.5
Trip Leaders should have a Sea Skills qualification or equivalent with sea kayaking experience and demonstrated skills in leadership, paddling and rescue techniques.