Paddle NSW’s newest club has just opened registrations. The Penrith local club is based around whitewater activities welcoming Freestyle paddlers, Downriver paddlers, and Canoe Slalom paddlers among others.
WSW is a club keen to bring paddling whitewater to all, offering a junior development program with levels purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red helping to progress paddlers from their first time in a boat to aiming to make national teams.
Lachlan Bassett, the head coach, has worked hard to develop sites along the Nepean River, Nepean Aquatic Center and Penrith Whitewater Stadium, creating easy-to-access paddling venues. Local schools such as Blaxland Highschool, Xavier College and Springwood Highschool all have kids involved in the sport and we are really developing the community with end-of-term sessions getting everyone together.
Coaches in the community are trained through Paddle Australia’s qualification platform although many of them gain their experience through years of paddling on the Australian national teams. Tim, coach of the Red group has paddled for Australia all over the world including Germany, France and Brazil. He trains aspiring athletes like Callan, Xavier college graduate, and Canoe Slalom enthusiast.
Jessica Fox Australian Olympic representative and gold medal favorite went to Blaxland Highschool and has been an inspiration to athletes like Amelia who recently started paddling and is already setting her sights on big events.
If you live in Western Sydney and want to try something new and exciting join Western Sydney Whitewater and get out there.