What we’re about
Hello Golden Beach Paddlers
If you own a kayak, sit-in or sit-on, a canoe, paddle or pedal, or a stand-up paddle board - and you can paddle about 8-10km on flat water in 2 hours or so (a leisurely pace) - and you would like to enjoy the waters near Golden Beach with a group of like-minded people, then perhaps this is the group for you.
We are starting small. We meet at the amenities block around the corner at the end of the Esplanade, just east of the Bell's Creek Boat Ramp. We paddle on Mondays, arriving at about 8.30 for a 9am start. Initially we will paddle for an hour up Bell's Creek, then turn around and come back. As the group grows, more paddling days and different locations can be added but one purpose of this group is not having to travel far to enjoy a social paddle.
Bring morning tea. There is a picnic table seating 6 but bring a stool or picnic chair if you have one since numbers may exceed 6.
A word about safety. Everyone is welcome but each person is responsible for their own safety on the water. You should be able to recover onto your craft if you capsize in deep water. I never go on the water without a life jacket and I would recommend this to all participants. It is not mandatory to wear a life jacket since for the moment, we only paddle on flat water. Carry your mobile phone with you in a dry bag if possible. I am a licensed VHF operator and carry my unit with me as an alternative form of contact in an emergency. I ask that every paddler maintain line of sight with the main group at all times while we are on the water.
I collect $3 at the start of each paddle to pay the Meetup Fees for maintaining this group. For now it is cash only, but I envisage having EFTPOS facilities in the future as the group grows. At the end of the financial year, I will donate any excess of fees to a local charity.
