Women Embrace Kayaking Speers Point

Whether you are 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!

On the day, you'll be supported by your Women Embrace Adventure host and qualified Kayak Guide. They'll make sure you have a great time and provide a relaxed and fun experience for everyone.

We start our adventure with a safety briefing and paddle lesson before getting on the water for a practice session. Once we feel confident in the kayaks, we'll head down Cockle Creek toward Barnsley Weir and back again, approximately 14kms in total. At the start of our adventure, we will paddle past the industrial, commercial and rural settings of the north lake Macquarie district, passing under the Five Islands road and the train bridge. As we get further down the Creek, we meander through the bush with a few twists and turns, spotting lots of aquatic birds along the way until we come across the Barnsley Wier. We'll stop at our halfway point for a delicious lite lunch, including wraps, freshly baked goods and hot drinks. 

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 either a friend or someone with similar kayak experience. Paddling with someone else only adds to the fun of the day. 

Details:

Date: Friday 10th December 2021

Meeting Time: 9:15 am for a 9:30 am start

Meeting Point: Speers Point Boat Ramp.  Details of the exact meeting point will be sent to you upon registration.

Maximum Numbers: 8 plus your WEA guides 

Fitness Level: A moderate to a high level of fitness is required 

Experience: No 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. 

Length: We will Kayak approx 14kms, which will take us approximately 4 - 5 hours, including time to enjoy our surroundings and have some lunch along the way.

Cost: $160 pp 

Inclusions: 

Wilderness First Aid qualified Women Embrace Adventure host.

• Qualified kayak/canoeing guide
• All kayak instruction and gear, including kayak, paddle, PFD
• Snacks and a lite lunch including fruit, fresh wraps,  hot drinks and home-baked goodies. (We cater for 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
• A Women Embrace Adventure buff

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
• *Waterproof jacket/raincoat (for rain/cold)
• *Two litres of water
• *Personal medications you might need such as asthma puffer if Asthmatic
• *A plastic garbage bag is also good for keeping things like your jacket or towel dry. We will have a dry bag available for car keys.

How fit do I need to be?

Although you do not need previous kayaking experience to participate in this adventure, you will need a moderate to high fitness level as we will be paddling 14kms.  You need to be able to swim (50 metres with a life jacket on) and be confident in the water. Our attitude is that it's your day, 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 quite small and intimate at Women Embrace Adventure to offer you a supportive and friendly environment. This adventure is open for eight people 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 which have a cockpit you will sit in. The cockpit width is 46cms wide where you sit into the kayak. 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 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 that 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. Additionally, we have some good alternative locations that aren't affected by the wind. Cancellations that are made due to weather conditions by Women Embrace Adventure are entitled to a full credit or refund.

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).

*Contactless registration 

*QR Covid Safe Log/Double Vaccination is required 

*Zero share equipment, utensils

*Providing hand sanitiser to use at the start and during each adventure

*Ensuring social distancing throughout the adventure

Before attending an adventure, please:

*Stay home if you or your family are unwell

*Wash your hands before joining us and use hand sanitiser often

*Continue to social distance

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

Terms and Conditions: Payment for WEA half-day adventures are final once payment is processed. No refunds will be given. Tickets may be transferred to another lady over the age of 18 who meets the criteria for this adventure; please email us at least 24 hours before the adventure to provide her contact details. This is an all-weather adventure. If cancelled by Women Embrace Adventure, a full credit or refund will be provided. For full T&Cs, see our webpage (https://www.womenembraceadventure.com.au/t-c). By purchasing this ticket, you have agreed to our Terms and Conditions. If you have any questions, please get in touch at info@womenadventure.com.au.  

We hope you can join us!

Sharon and Kat x