Courses and Programs

Registration Information

You are about to register for the following Course:

Course Advanced WhiteWater Packraft Course (Victoria)
Course Dates 07/10/2023 - 09/10/2023
Closing Date 22/09/2023
Course Information

Dates/Times: 9:00 AM Saturday 7th to 2:00 PM Monday 9th October (3 days)

Area: Mitta Mitta River area (in north-east VICTORIA)

Accommodation: Camping at Jokers Flat beside the Mitta Mitta

Participant Suitability: Inclusion in this course is dependent upon suitable prior experience and is at instructor’s discretion. After registering for the course your
registration will need to be ‘approved’ by instructors.

The course is suited to those who already competently paddle grade 3 rivers and who are aspiring to learn to paddle grade 3+/4 technically, safely & competently. All
participants need to be comfortable with swimming grade 3 rapids and must have
experience with the use of throwbags (both throwing and catching) as well as self/assisted
rescues in grade 3 water.

Participants need to have:

  • Previously completed a Paddle Tasmania Intermediate Course
  • Considerable additional time on grade 3 whitewater
  • Undertaken a recognised River Rescue / Swiftwater Rescue Course
  • Demonstrated a strong ability to catch small mid-stream eddys using technical
    strokes

Interested paddlers who have not completed a course previously with Paddle
Tasmania Instructors will need to provide a short video or two that demonstrates their
ability to catch small mid-stream eddys using technical strokes. It is likely that such
paddlers will have had considerable kayaking experience.

To ascertain whether you have the skills suitable to undertake this course or to
submit your videos, please email both Mark Oates via mark.oates.outdoors@gmail.com and; Dan Hall via danchall@hotmail.com

Program Outline: Paddle Tasmania will be conducting a 3-day Advanced Whitewater
Packrafting Course in north-east Victoria that immediately follows on from a 2-day
Level 2 Whitewater Course. This is designed to allow interested participants to
complete a full 5 days of training.

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.

The course is suited to those who already confidently paddle grade 3 rivers and who
are aspiring to learn to paddle grade 3+/4 technically, safely & competently. All
participants need to be comfortable with swimming grade 3 rapids and must have
experience with the use of throwbags (both throwing and catching) as well as self/assisted rescues in grade 3 water.


The focus of this course is on developing technical and safety knowledge specific to
packrafts being used on grade 3/3+ 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
4 rapids however there will always be the option to walk/portage these.

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
Cobrunga River (Smiths Crossing to Anglers Rest)
Cobrunga River (Anglers Rest to Mitta Mitta River)

Potential Course Content:

  • Technical paddling, versus the alternative
  • Paddling with purpose
  • Using water features to your advantage
  • Using momentum to your advantage
  • Connecting yourself to your boat
  • Entering and exiting eddies cleanly and efficiently
  • Improving technical strokes & combinations
  • Controlling turns in a packraft
  • Learning to boof and different boofing techniques
  • Working as a team
  • Techniques for tackling steep creeks
  • Self and assisted rescues within rapids
  • Risk management
  • Managing groups/others in whitewater

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:
ï‚· self-bailing or whitewater decked packraft with thigh straps installed and some form of
fixed bow and stern perimeter line
ï‚· WW PFD (personal floatation device). Rescue rated PFDs are ideal
ï‚· WW kayak helmet (NOT a climbing or bike helmet)
ï‚· WW paddle
ï‚· Drysuit or a full wetsuit (the later with ideally a drytop or a cag/spray jacket)
ï‚· Appropriate sturdy/warm footwear for both paddling and walking
ï‚· Throwbag
ï‚· River knife
 Minimum of 1 locking carabiner (& ideally a 2.5 – 4.0 metre sling)
ï‚· Drybag for carrying essential gear during trips
ï‚· Lightweight pack in case we need to walk into or out of a river
ï‚· Personal medications/personal first aid
ï‚· Thermos or similar (optional)

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:
ï‚· Tent
ï‚· Sleeping bag
ï‚· Camp mattress
ï‚· Pillow (optional)
ï‚· Stove plus cooking pots, utensils, etc
ï‚· Lots of warm clothes
ï‚· ALL FOOD for the 3-days duration

ï‚· Thermos
ï‚· Wood for campfire


National Training provider Paddle Tasmania
Email education.tas@paddle.org.au
Phone 0475142910
Course Location Mitta Mitta,VIC
Website Visit Website
Course Cost $ 630.00

Paddle Tasmania/Victoria club or direct members $480

To check the status of your membership or sign up, visit this page
Please ensure you have been in contact with Paddle Tasmania prior to registering for this Course to ensure you have the appropriate skills and information to take part.
There will be a $20.00 fee to register your qualification with Paddle Australia for 3 years. You will only be invoiced for your PA registration once all requirements for the qualification have been completed and submitted to Paddle Australia.

The closing date for registrations has passed. Please contact Paddle Tasmania to determine if they provide late registrations for this Course.