Women Embrace Beginner Kayaking Kilaben Bay Lake Macquarie (1)

If you are new to kayaking then this beginner paddle adventure is for you; it's a great way to enjoy the great outdoors, get active and have some fun with a group of great ladies. On the day, you'll be supported by your Women Embrace Adventure host and qualified Kayak Guide who will make sure you have a great time in a safe, relaxed environment.

This half-day adventure at Kilaben Bay is perfect for beginner paddlers, and all fitness levels. We will take you through the correct paddle technique and basic paddle strokes to get you out on the water. Your guide will offer tips and tricks to ensure you get the best out of your paddle strokes and fully enjoy paddling. You'll finish the day with some kayaking confidence and a smile on your face.

We will be kayaking in highly stable, double Mirage Sea Kayaks, which are easy to use and you will be paired up with either a friend or someone with similar kayak experience. Paddling with someone else only adds to the fun of the day!

After a safety briefing and a paddle lesson, our adventure will take us around Kilaben Bay, with lots of birdlife and places to explore as you gain confidence in your paddle skills. This is a leisurely paddle as we focus on our skills. The course we take will be between 5 - 7km followed by a delicious, homemade morning tea. A perfect start to your kayaking career!

Details

Date: Saturday 29 October 2022

Meeting Time: 7:45 am for a 8:00 am start

Meeting Point: Kilaben Bay, on Lake Macquarie, NSW.  Details of the exact meeting point will be emailed to you upon registration.

Maximum Numbers: 8 plus your WEA guides 

Fitness Level: A moderate level of fitness is required

Experience: No experience is needed - this is for beginner kayakers

Requirements: 

Must be over 18 years of age. 

Weight Rating: Our kayaks have a maximum weight rating of 100 kgs per person; the kayaks are sit-in style there is also a maximum hip-width of 46cm. 

All participants must be confident in open water and able to swim 50 meters with a life jacket on. Must be able to tread water for at least 10 minutes wearing a life jacket. 

Please let us know if you have any questions about any of the requirements. 

Time/Length: We will Kayak between 5-7km and will spend approx 2  hours on the water. 

Cost: $120 pp 

Inclusions:

• Wilderness First Aid qualified Women Embrace Adventure host
• Qualified Kayak Guide
• All kayak instruction and gear, including kayak, paddle, PFD
• Morning tea, including hot drinks, cold drinks and home-baked goodies. (We cater for most dietary requirements, please let us know when you book) 
• Photos of your adventure will be posted on our Facebook event page for you to save

FAQs:

What do I need to wear/bring?

• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Clothing and footwear that can get wet (old joggers are good - thongs are not) Long-sleeved shirts are best for sun protection.
• Change of clothing (to leave in the car for after in case you get a bit wet)
• Towel
• Waterproof jacket/raincoat (for rain/cold)
• 2 litres of water
• Personal medications you might need such as asthma puffer etc
• A plastic garbage bag-good for keeping things like your jacket or towel dry. We'll have a dry bag available for car keys.

How fit do I need to be?

We recommend you have a moderate level of fitness. Kayaking at this level and distance will not be difficult for most but when new to the sport, kayaking can be quite demanding on your core, shoulders and arms. You do need to be able to swim (50 metres with a life jacket on.) 

 

Do I need experience?

Definitely not! This adventure is for beginner paddlers. You'll receive a comprehensive briefing at the start about equipment use, safety and what to expect while on the water. We also offer tips to improve your technique to make things easier and more enjoyable for you.

How many women will be on this adventure?

We like to keep things quite small at Women Embrace Adventure to provide a supportive and friendly environment. This adventure is open to eight women only.

Do you have a maximum weight limit for kayaking?

Yes, 100 kg/person. Please note our kayaks are double sit-in sea kayaks that have a 46 cm wide cockpit you will sit down into. Please feel free to contact us if you are worried about the weight limit or cockpit width - we will happily discuss if this adventure is suitable for you.

Am I going to get wet?

Yes and no -you will get some paddle splash and wet feet getting in and out of the kayak, but generally, that will be all.

 

I'll be coming on my own, is that ok?  

Not a problem at all!  Lots of women come on their own to our adventures. Your Women Embrace Adventure host will ensure everyone meets before we set off on this beautiful kayak. We always have lots of fun; there is no pressure, no judgment, and lots of encouragement from everyone.  By the end of the day, you may have just found some new adventure friends!

How stable are the kayaks?

You will be kayaking in Mirage Sea Kayaks that are extremely stable, seaworthy and easy to use. The chances of a capsize are remote. You will be wearing a PFD (lifejacket) at all times, and the kayaks are virtually unsinkable due to their airtight compartments. We will also give you a safety briefing before your tour, explaining what to do to avoid capsizing and what to do if you overturn.

Will bad weather conditions affect my tour?

Wet weather will generally not cause the cancellation of a kayak adventure; in fact, some of the best paddling conditions are in the rain. Wind, on the other hand, can cause cancellations. If the wind is strong enough to be a potential safety risk, we will contact you in the days leading up to the adventure. Additionally, we have some good alternative locations that aren't affected by the wind. If cancelled by Women Embrace Adventure you will be entitled to a full refund, or we can transfer your booking to another day.

The Nitty Gritty (Terms and Conditions)

Stay Safe Procedures: To prioritise the wellbeing of women, staff and our community, Women Embrace Adventure is taking necessary measures to limit the transmission of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). All NSW regulations will be followed at the time of the adventure.

*Read our full Covid-19 T&C's for full details https://www.womenembraceadventure.com.au/t-c 

By making a booking you agree to and accept our terms and conditions, including these Terms and Conditions, our Covid-19 Policy and the Waiver of Liability.

Your booking is final once your payment is processed and a confirmation email is sent to you. 

If you can not attend, no refunds will be given, but you can ‘Pay it Forward’ (your spot can be transferred to another lady over the age of 18). Please email us at least 24 hours before the adventure and provide her contact details. This is an all-weather event. 

If cancelled by Women Embrace Adventure a credit or full refund will be provided.

This is a women's only adventure. Valid for sale until sold out. Advertised prices are per person. Prices are correct as of 6 September 2022 and are subject to availability, withdrawal and change at any time without notice due to fluctuations in charges and currency.

All current government safety and health guidelines at the time of booking and departure must be adhered to including all Covid-19 requirements. Any additional costs related to but not limited to government travel restrictions are the responsibility of the individual traveller and not Women Embrace Adventure. If this trip is undersubscribed or in circumstances where external events affect the viability or safety of this trip to go ahead, Women Embrace Adventure reserves the right to cancel or reschedule and to exclude/remove any participants from this trip.

We hope you can join us!

Sharon and Kat x