Dates/Times: 10:00 AM Thursday 5th to 4:00 PM Friday 6th October (2 days)
Area: Mitta Mitta River area (in north-east VICTORIA)
Accommodation: Camping at Jokers Flat beside the Mitta Mitta River (Alpine National
Park). Participants need to be fully self-sufficient for this
Course Numbers: Spaces are limited and at this stage to a maximum of 12
participants
Instructors: Dan Hall, Mark Oates, Nors Corstorphan and; Jen MacGibbon (all either
Senior Whitewater or Whitewater Instructors with Paddle Australia)
Registration Closing Date: Friday September 8th, with all payments to be made by this date. Note though that spaces are likely to fill well before this date.
Participant Suitability: Inclusion in this course is dependent upon suitable prior
experience and is at instructor’s discretion.
Participants to:
– ideally have completed a Paddle Tasmania Level 1 or Foundation and
Fundamentals Course or Beginner Course (or an equivalent basic
packraft/kayak course) plus have additional time on the water
– be comfortable with paddling grade 2+/3 whitewater
– have practiced and be comfortable with swimming grade 2+ water
– be competent at self and assisted rescues
– be able to significantly edge their boat (both on the flat & in whitewater)
– be practiced in using (throwing and receiving) a throwbag in whitewater
– understand how and when to use technical strokes such as bow draws and
bow rudders plus side draws and sweep strokes
– be able to competently catch small eddys using technical strokes, to surf
waves and run drops up to a metre
Interested paddlers will need to provide a short summary of their paddling experience
and competence. This is particularly important for those who have not completed a
course previously with Paddle Tasmania Instructors. This course is not for those who
have really only completed a beginner course or only paddled on grade 2 whitewater.
For such paddlers a Level 1 Course would be the appropriate next step. Most
paddlers who have not previously had formal instruction are best to also do the Level
1 course.
If you have not previously had formal instruction and are unsure whether you have
the skills suitable to undertake this course please contact both Mark Oates
via mark.oates.outdoors@gmail.com and; Dan Hall via danchall@hotmail.com to discuss.
Program Outline: Paddle Tasmania in partnership with Paddle Victoria will be conducting a 2-day Level 2 Whitewater Packrafting Course in north-east Victoria that leads into a 3-day Advanced Whitewater Course. This is designed to allow interested and suitable participants to complete a full 5 days of training.
The course is suited to those who already confidently paddle grade 2+/3 rivers and
who are aspiring to learn to paddle grade 3 technically, safely & competently. All
participants need to be comfortable with swimming grade 2+/3 rapids and must have
experience with the use of throwbags (both throwing and catching) as well as self/assisted rescues in grade 2+ water.
The focus of this course is on developing technical and safety knowledge specific to
packrafts being used on grade 2+/3 whitewater. There will also be considerable
emphasis on working as a team to manage challenging river environments safely.
Depending on water levels the group MAY have the opportunity to tackle some grade
3+ rapids however there will always be the option to walk/portage these.
The group will base camp at Jokers Flat, beside the Mitta Mitta River. This will enable
us to utilise a range of sections on the Mitta Mitta as well as nearby rivers. Some of
the various sections of rivers that the group may potentially utilise within the course
are the:
Mitta Mitta River (Big River Bridge to Bundarra Bridge)
Mitta Mitta River (Bundarra Bridge to Hinnomunjie Bridge)
Bundarra River
Potential Course Content:
revision of technical strokes
understanding how boat design impacts performance
understanding and utilising Position, Speed, Angle, Eyes & Edging
understanding and using water features to your advantage
improving stroke efficiency and placement
learning and/or improving carving ability
running basic drops and holes
Self and assisted rescues within rapids
Risk management & safety considerations
Improvisation techniques for lost paddles/boats and for assisting others down rivers
Paddling Equipment Required: All participants should come fully prepared for
numerous swimming activities and ideally utilise a drysuit OR a full-length wetsuit*.
There is also the possibility that the group may walk into or out of some river venues
so decent footwear is required along with a lightweight pack in case you need to carry
all of your gear for a river daytrip.
*Some participants who bring wetsuits choose to bring two so that they can swap a wet one out
for a dry one.
Bring:
self-bailing or whitewater decked packraft with thigh straps installed and some form of
fixed bow and stern perimeter line
WW PFD (personal floatation device). Rescue rated PFDs are ideal
WW kayak helmet (NOT a climbing or bike helmet)
WW paddle
Drysuit or a full wetsuit (the later with ideally a drytop or a cag/spray jacket)
Appropriate sturdy/warm footwear for both paddling and walking
Drybag for carrying essential gear/snacks/lunch during day trips
Lightweight pack in case we need to walk into or out of a river
Personal medications/personal first aid
Optional (unless also doing the Advanced Course, where they are expected):
Throwbag
River knife
Minimum of 1 locking carabiner (& ideally a 2.5 – 4.0 metre sling)
Base Camp Location/Info: Jokers Flat is a medium sized public campground within the
Alpine National Park with some info available at: https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-
see/sites/jokers-flat-camping-area whilst a video showing the campground is at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WSd62RsMqc
It is accessible to 2WD vehicles but does include a short (100m) slightly rough dirt road
down a small hill to access it.
It can get busy at times but we should be able to find enough space for our group and it
should not be too hard to find us. There is a basic toilet plus a number of official fire
places however not much more. Participants need to come fully self-sufficient for the 3
days as the nearest shops are in Omeo, 40 minutes drive away. Participants obviously
need to bring all of their own tents, camping, sleeping and cooking gear. Note that there
is very limited phone coverage in the area although it can be obtained by driving a short
distance from camp.
Jokers Flat can be found on Google Maps at the following link:
https://goo.gl/maps/ZpFymHxTMNeciYZT6
Participants will need:
Tent
Sleeping bag
Camp mattress
Pillow (optional)
Stove plus cooking pots, utensils, etc
Lots of warm clothes
ALL FOOD for the 2-days duration
Camp chair or similar
Thermos or similar (optional)
Wood for campfire (if possible/available)
Cost for Non Members: $450
Cost for Paddle Tasmania/Victoria Members: $330
To register as a member, please visit our membership page
To register for the course, please visit our education page
