Craft selection

Never been in a craft smaller than the Manly Ferry and you want to enter the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic? GOOD ON YOU and WELCOME ...you are not alone!

The general rule of thumb is "the faster the craft, the harder it is to keep upright". Novices should consider craft from the following classes:-

Recreational Kayaks

All craft normally paddled with double bladed paddles belong to the kayak family. Short recreational kayaks (Srec1) are usually slower but more stable than other kayaks. Craft should be over 4.0 metres to have adequate speed. Popular models include Nymph and Explorer. White-water racing boats (DRR) are used but are not common. White-water tourers such as Dancers would be the tortoises of the fleet, a slow but stable option.

Many paddlers opt for the longer sea and estuary kayaks such as Estuary, Greenlander, Tasman, Osprey or Mirage to ensure more speed but with generally good stability. Depending on length and width these will be in recreational classes. Try before you buy! Canoe shops are most helpful and demonstration paddles can usually be arranged.

TC2

Two person Canadian touring canoes are propelled by single bladed paddles. Perfect for a beginner, it has lots of stability and there is plenty of storage room for food and gear. The canoe will not get you anywhere in a hurry (unless it has been especially designed for racing) but it will get you there! It’s kind of like a Volkswagen, reliable and sturdy.

These are particularly popular with junior crews who gain companionship from a partner and security in a very stable craft.

TK1s or TK2s

The “transitional” kayak classes are recognised by Australian Canoeing as a class in competition. More unstable than traditional recreational craft, they may take several months practice to learn stability. With practice however, the TK craft are a good compromise between stability and speed. We recommend new paddlers receive advice from experienced paddlers or canoe clubs.

Surf Skis, K1s and C1s

New paddlers should avoid the racing or Olympic classes and Surf Skis because they lack stability. They’re the Porsches of the kayak world! Unless you know what you’re doing or you want to swim instead of paddle, give these a miss!

Brooklyn or Bust

This class is for those paddlers who do not want to be competitive. Any type of craft can enter in the Brooklyn or Bust class. Paddlers in the Brooklyn or Bust class start at 4:00pm, (for single paddlers) and 4:30pm (for double paddlers) getting a head-start on other faster craft. The Brooklyn or Bust class is aimed at those who are happy to just finish. Paddlers in the class are rewarded with a medallion and a certificate at the finish but this class is not eligible for any ribbons, trophies, records or team events. You are not permitted to change into this class on Race Day.

Ways to get a craft

Hire a craft

Most hire craft will be Recreational class singles or doubles or TC2’s. Usually only a limited number are available so book early. Look under “C” in the Yellow Pages for Canoes &/or Kayaks.

Buy new or second hand

The canoe and kayak retailers in the Yellow Pages have a lot of experience in providing craft for this event. Also, try the newspapers, the “Trading Post” and canoe club newsletters (an up-to-date list of canoe/kayak clubs for all NSW can be obtained from Paddle NSW, www.paddlensw.org.au).

Borrow a craft

Dust the cobwebs off the boat under your or your neighbour’s house. You’d be surprised how many there are around if you look and ask. Seriously though, make sure you check these for spiders. It’s no fun being in the middle of the river and wondering if that is a trickle of sweat on your leg or a red back!