Packraft 101 - Packraft Principles

Add to cart
  • Description

Feb 8/9 2025

PACKRAFT 101 (Packrafting Principles course)

Duration: 2 days (daytime only)

Venue: Goulburn River / Big River, Eildon Victoria

Accommodation: Own accommodation (camping or cabins available near site)

Date: Feb 8/9 2025

Cost $450

Packraft 101 is  packraft priniciples course that will cover basic River rescue ( level 1), including packraft specific rescue techniques, and then move on to the skills and techniques needed specifically for packrafters to form a strong foundation on moving water.

The course will focus strongly on whitewater paddling techniques, designed for those that have done some paddling before, especially whitewater paddling, but have no formal training. The whitewater techniques will be honed and developed, and include specific packraft skills needed for those wanting to progress their paddling. We will be developing all of the strokes and manoevers needed on whitewater including key strokes, entering and exiting eddies, ferry gliding and more. Participants should come prepared for technical sessions on whitewater, as well as being equipped to swim in cold water and undertake rescue scenarios.

Technical skills are best learned through repetition in a basic whitewater environment, where rapids can be run multiple times.

 


The course will take place on the Goulburn river at Eildon, with the opportunity to also use Big river 45 minutes away, if the water levels are sufficient.

The rapids are accessible through the Breeze caravan park which also boasts accommodation in cabins and camping.

 

The course will start at 10am on Feb 8, and run until approximately 4pm. Sunday will run to a similar schedule with a break for lunch.

Please come prepared with gear to allow you to get wet. The water temperature is typically around 11 degrees, so warm gear is recommended. A Wetsuit, Drysuit

Or thermals-drytop/cag/spray jacket combination would be useful.

 

Participants are required to provide all their own gear, accommodation and food.

There is hire gear available on request.


Equipment Required:
- packraft with inflation bag or pump
- kayak/packraft paddle
- whitewater paddling helmet.
- whitewater PFD
- wetsuit and cag/paddling jacket or a drysuit.

- water shoes or sneakers or similar.

- personal medications & sunscreen
- lunch, snacks and drinking water for each day
- warm clothes for afterwards


Optional items:

- throwbag
- river knife
- paddling gloves
- any additional safety gear such as pin kit etc