Author Archives: kayak.instructor.centralcoast

Kayak Camping – Hawkesbury River

It’s been just over a year since I packed up the tent and other camping gear in the kayak and went ‘walkabout’ – a one night stay at Gentleman’s Halt campground, in the vicinity of Spencer on the Hawkesbury River (and a blog for another day!). Although these last 12 months have seen plenty ofContinue reading “Kayak Camping – Hawkesbury River”

Kayak Camping – Shoalhaven and Kangaroo Rivers

Just four months ago, the NSW Central Coast was where I kayaked, and camping was most definitely not my thing. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve camped three times – twice by kayak – and I’ve been north, paddling on the NSW Mid-North Coast, and south, to the state’s Southern Highlands.Continue reading “Kayak Camping – Shoalhaven and Kangaroo Rivers”

Sydney Harbour

So, not the NSW Central Coast, I know, but tell me – who wouldn’t want to paddle their kayak past the iconic Sydney Opera House and under the world famous Sydney Harbour Bridge? It’s been over two years (and four months and three weeks – but who’s counting?!) since I’d last paddled Sydney Harbour, andContinue reading “Sydney Harbour”

The Australis Gecko – small sea kayak, big sea fun

The first kayak I owned was a Viking Espri sit-on-top kayak (SoT). I paddled this very capable 3.6m, super-stable SoT for three years, taking it out on many different water types, from the calm Narara Creek, to the open seas between Terrigal Haven and Ettalong; and on progressively longer and longer trips until I maxed-outContinue reading “The Australis Gecko – small sea kayak, big sea fun”

How Wet Can It (Really) Get?

Wet is the answer! Very wet! In the time it took to confirm to the participants that “Yes, the course is still on”, then leave home and arrive at the venue, the weather took a most unfavourable turn. The end of daylight saving time should have made things a bit lighter at this time ofContinue reading “How Wet Can It (Really) Get?”

Mooney Mooney to Spencer

Spencer is one of my favourite local areas to paddle, nestled at the wide junction where Mangrove Creek merges with the Hawkesbury River. If launching from Spencer, you have several paddling options: following the Hawkesbury River downstream towards Mooney Mooney and beyond that the sea or off to Berowra Creek, upstream towards the awesome Wiseman’sContinue reading “Mooney Mooney to Spencer”

I Might Just Love ‘Teaching’ More Than ‘Doing’!

So this weekend I got to run my first two kayak instruction sessions for my local kayak retailer and services supplier, Kayak Central Coast. On Saturday I delivered the Paddle Australia (PA) Basic Skills course to six participants on sit-on-top kayaks (SoTs), which included some Viking Espris and a couple of Mirage craft (a FreerideContinue reading “I Might Just Love ‘Teaching’ More Than ‘Doing’!”

Paddle Australia Qualification Scheme (PAQS) Training Comes to the NSW Central Coast

I first met Colin North and Trish Treagus, owners of Kayak Central Coast (based in West Gosford, NSW) five years and five months ago – exactly, to the day(!) – when I purchased my first kayak, a made-in-New Zealand Viking Espri in ‘lava’, a black and red fade I subsequently learnt was not at allContinue reading “Paddle Australia Qualification Scheme (PAQS) Training Comes to the NSW Central Coast”

Patonga to Refuge and America Bays

Yesterday was a more challenging than anticipated run-out to America and Refuge Bays in the Ku-ring-Gai Chase National Park, launching from Patonga on the NSW Central Coast. The weather was beautiful with clear skies and a warm sun, with a perfect paddling weather temperature topping off at 27° C, but the previous day’s forecast ofContinue reading “Patonga to Refuge and America Bays”