There is something for everyone in paddling. Find out more about our paddlesports and come and give them a go!
Photo: JGR Images
Adaptive and Paracanoe cater for all levels from grassroots to our Paralympians.
Whilst the design of the boats may be the same for all athletes, the rigging inside the boast are modified to suit the capabilities of each athlete. Adaptive or Paracanoe athletes can compete in most PaddleSports.
Canoe Polo is a fast and exciting team sport, often described as water polo in kayaks.
Usually played in a swimming pool where the ball can be thrown by hand or flicked with a paddle. In higher grades you can also push an opponent holding the ball.
Canoe polo is a fun way to learn basic kayak skills (rolling, turning, bracing) and is suitable for all standards.
If Canoe Polo is described as polo in a boat, then our freestylers are the gymnasts of paddling!
Freestylers perform aerial tricks like cartwheels, loops (full flips), blunts (really fast, near vertical turns that spew a curtain of water), and such colorfully named moves as the Roundhouse, the Phonics Monkey, the McNasty and the Donkey Flip.
Photo: Allan Coker
Open Water racing is possibly the fastest growing PaddleSport in NSW. The Ocean racing ski is most popular with races such as ‘The Doctor’ from Rottnest Island to Perth and the ‘Molokai’ World Championships.
There are many local racing series available for beginners through to advanced paddlers. The Harbour Series races provides paddlers new to the sport the opportunity to hone skills on the more protected waters of the harbour and lakes. The Ocean racing ski series events take place off shore, and provide intermediate and advanced paddlers the thrill of racing on ocean swells and runners.
Photo: Michael Daniel Photography
Marathon paddling will appeal to people who like to keep fit. It is low impact and great for a total body workout.
Marathon racing can be over any distance that has turns from about 5km upwards. It is also a great way to see NSW in peaceful water surrounds.
The PaddleNSW Marathon series events are held all over the state, so participation can take paddlers to new towns or unexplored corners of well known cities.
Image: Ian Wrenford
What better way to get around the vast waterways of NSW but under your own steam and with only the noise from gulls and the splash of your paddle?
With this sleek and fast kayak you can experience the thrill of the waves and currents across miles of coast.
Gain some very important survival skills before venturing into a new world of pleasure.
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Canoe slalom is one of two Olympic PaddleSports, where competitors negotiate a whitewater course by passing around a series of poles. Paddling technique, strength, whitewater skills and speed are tested with competitors timed and with penalties added for touching or missing the poles.
Sprint is one of two Olympic PaddleSports and the only Paralympic PaddleSport.
Sprint racing is available for any paddler to race in and it also offers a great national and international career-path for athletes with aspirations of competing on the international stage.
Stand Up Paddling (SUP) is one of the newer forms of paddling. A bit like adaptive paddling, Suppers can be involved in almost any form of paddling, from sprint, marathon, ocean (harbour) racing and even recreationally.
Rafting
Rafting groups can be found paddling some of the prettiest wild rivers in NSW.
You can get single craft or one that can carry 10 people.
Like all water sports you will need to wear the right safety gear and be able to swim.
Penrith White Water Centre is a great place to try Rafting if you’re local to Sydney.
Recreation
Paddling is for every family member; it’s especially at its best when added to a camping holiday.
A recreational canoe or kayak is usually more comfortable than a high performance craft, and can be loaded with gear for overnight or wilderness river trips.
Discover the beauty of our Australian waterways and destinations, many unique only to paddlers.