Intermediate - Level 2:
Details
Paddle Tasmania will be conducting a 2-day Level 2 Whitewater Packrafting Course in northern Tasmania. 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.
The focus of this course is on developing technical and safety knowledge specific to packrafts being used on grade 2+/3 whitewater and for those ultimately looking to paddle 3+ and beyond. There will also be considerable emphasis on working as a team to manage challenging river environments safely.
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. Ideally participants will have completed a 2-day river rescue course previously.
It is expected that participants will previously have completed an Intermediate - Level 1 Course and then have undertaken a number of additional days of paddling.
Although a water release has been booked for the Mersey Whitewater Course with Hydro Tasmania there is always the chance that they are unable to release an appropriate volume of water. If this occurs we may need to potentially move aspects of the course to another river in the north west. Ideally this will be nearby and we will still utilise the Arm River Camp. An update on this will be provided closer to the course dates via email.
Area: Mersey River and nearby rivers
Accommodation: Bunk style accommodation at the Arm River Camp. However, camping equipment is recommended in case a location change is required due to water availability.
Course Numbers: Spaces are limited and at this stage to a maximum of 12
participants
Instructors: Dan Hall, Mark Oates and; Jen MacGibbon (all either
Senior Whitewater or Whitewater Instructors with Paddle Australia)
Registration Closing Date: Friday August 23rd 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 instructors discretion. 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.
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
Those who have not completed an Intermediate - Level 1 Course previously with Paddle Tasmania Instructors will need to provide a short summary of their paddling experience and competence as this course is not for those who have really only completed a beginner course or only paddled on easy grade 2 whitewater.