Women Embrace Kayaking Mannering Park, Lake Macquarie NSW (1)

Beautiful bays, calm creeks, paddling through pipes and lots of bird life makes this a perfect paddle for anyone new to kayaking or have paddled before. This kayaking adventure is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors, get active and have some fun with a group of great ladies! Lots of laughter is guaranteed!

We start our adventure with a full safety briefing and paddle lesson before getting on the water for a practice session. Once we feel confident in the kayaks we will paddle along the shore line to one of the southern most parts of Lake Macquarie.  We will then head to a channel that provides access to a set of pipes leading under Rutleys Road. Yes thats right we paddle through the pipes and into Mannering Bay - its pretty narrow and you have to duck a little but it is doable for most (if you have a fear of small spaces - this may not be for you). Then across the Bay and into Wyee Creek and under a conveyor feeding coal to the Vales Point Power Station. As we kayak further upstream we will paddle into an expanse of water know as ‘Deadwoods’. Here there is a small sandy beach where we will disembark to stretch our legs and have some morning tea, a great spot to see kangaroos and water birds.

Throughout the day you will be supported by your WEA host and qualified WEA Kayak Guide,  making sure you have a great time and provide a relaxed and fun experience for everyone.

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

Details:

Date: Sunday 30th April 2023

Meeting Time: 8:00am

Meeting Point: Vale Point Park, Mannering Park.   Details of the exact meeting point will be sent to you upon registration. Yes there are toilets at the start and end point of our adventure. 

Maximum Numbers: 10 plus your WEA guides 

Fitness Level: Moderate fitness and mobility is required 

Experience: No kayak experience is needed

Requirements: Must be over 18 years of age. Our kayaks have a maximum weight rating - as such, we have a maximum weight of 100kgs per person. 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 note that we paddle through pipes in this paddle. If you have any issues with tight or dark spaces this adventure may not be for you. If you would like discuss your suitability for this adventure please send us a message and we will be happy to give you a call to discuss. 

Paddle Length: We will Kayak approx 10kms, which will take us approximately 3-4 hours, including time to enjoy our surroundings and have some morning tea along the way.

Cost: $150 per person

Inclusions: 

• Qualified kayak/canoeing guide with Wilderness first aid
• First Aid qualified Women Embrace Adventure host
• Double Mirage Sea Kayaks are supplied
• All kayak instruction and gear, including kayak, paddle, PFD
• Morning tea: hot drinks and home-baked goodies as well as a lite lunch are included (We cater for most dietary requirements, please let us know your dietary needs when booking) 
• Photos of your adventure will be posted on our Facebook event page for you to save and share

FAQs

What do I need to bring/wear?

• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Clothing and footwear that can get wet (old joggers or enclosed water shoes with a sole are good - thongs are not). We recommend long sleeve shirts for sun protection.
• A change of clothing to leave in the car as you may want to change before heading home
• Towel
• Swimmers - there is a beautiful area of the lake to swim in at the end of our kayak if your keen for a dip. 
• Waterproof jacket/raincoat (for rain/cold)
• Two litres of water
• Personal medications such as asthma puffer if Asthmatic
• A plastic garbage bag is also good for keeping things like your jacket or towel dry. We'll have a communal dry bag available for car keys.

How fit do I need to be?

You will need a moderate level of fitness to enjoy this adventure best. You need to be able to swim (50 metres with a life jacket on) and be confident in the water. This is your adventure, and we will paddle at a speed YOU are comfortable with and have rest stops as often as YOU like.

 

Do I need experience?

Definitely not! We give you a comprehensive briefing before the tour on equipment use, safety and what to expect. We also offer tips to improve your technique to make things easier and more enjoyable for you while on the adventure.

How many women will be on this adventure?

We like to keep things small and intimate at Women Embrace Adventure to offer you a supportive and friendly environment. This adventure is open to ten women only.

Do you have a maximum weight limit for kayaking?

Yes. Our kayaks have a maximum weight rating. As such, we have a maximum weight of 100kgs per person. Please note our kayaks are double sit-in sea kayaks that have a cockpit you will sit in. Please feel free to contact us to chat 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 as you paddle along, and you will get wet feet getting in and out of the kayak, but usually, 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 make sure 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 adventure, you may have just found some new adventure friends!

How stable are the kayaks?

You will be kayaking in Mirage Sea Kayaks, which are highly 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 do 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 before the tour to discuss your options. We have some good alternative locations that aren't as affected by the wind. Cancellations that are made due to weather conditions by Women Embrace Adventure are entitled to a full credit or refund.

Nitty Gritty & Bits and Bobs:

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. 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 31 October 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