Across the Bay in a Day - Paddle as a Pod

Each year in May, East Coast Kayaking leads a crossing of Port Phillip Bay. This is an all-day event that gives paddlers with some experience a fantastic opportunity to practise trip planning, teamwork and group management skills.

Paddling As a Pod means we paddle as fast as our slowest paddler, and you may be required to tow or be towed. With the TEAM, together everyone achieves more… IT IS NOT A RACE! It is a fantastic opportunity to paddle, enjoy the Port Phillip Bay and undertake your first extended and exposed paddle in a safe and supportive environment with qualified and experienced paddlers.

Our past trips have included paddling from Portarlington to Hampton Pier (36km) and from Werribee South to Hampton Pier. Depending on the wind and sea conditions we select the optimum route for the day.

It is however, not a paddle for a beginner sea kayaker - you should have completed at least the Sea Starter Course and preferably the Beyond Basics Day Journey or have equivalent experience, as this will ensure all participants are competent in self and assisted rescues, as well as basic paddling skills, making for a safe and enjoyable day. You will be sitting in your kayak for around 7 hours, perhaps as long as 8 hours!

MINIMUM GEAR REQUIREMENTS

Clothing

Clothing should be SunSmart but also protect from the cold and be highly visible.

• Hat - Legionnaires style or Buff and Cap
• Long sleeve shirt - thermals and fleece bottom and tops,
• Dry clothes for that return trip stowed in a dry bag (ie if we paddle out of Hampton Pier & return in vehicle)
• CAG
• Footwear
• Sunglasses with secure strap
• Sun cream and zinc

Food

• Lunch that can be eaten in the kayak
• Snacks – we will stop every 45mins for a break
• 2 litres water

Kayak & paddling gear

• Sea kayak >4.8m length and fitted out with perimeter line, tow point, rudder or skeg -  if fitted to be fully retractable and in proper working order, watertight bulkheads and hatch covers, including positive buoyancy, hand toggles on bow and stern
• Paddle
• Spray skirt that fits cockpit and paddler, with release strap
• PFD type 2

• Bilge pump (hand pump/foot or electric) and sponge
• Marine Whistle (pealess) - eg. Fox 40 Whistle
• Rescue knife
• Tow line (floating) 15m
• Short Line Tow
• Mobile phone in a waterproof case
• Personal First Aid kit
• 2X Glow Stick (for that early morning start)

Come down to the Training Centre for a chat or link to 
Register your Interest

Check out our YouTube from one of our past trips: