Students participating in Canoeing/Canoe Polo for Thursday sport this term had an adventure to be remembered. This was, for many of the 17 students, a first time experience away from the comforts of suburban living. We spent a night in tents beside a river with no electricity, running water, toilets, computers, or mobile phones etc.
The students were: (Yr7) Hayden Birkett, Nathan Kynes, Evan Perkins, (Yr8) David Gray, Mitchell Kerney, Jason Potts, (Yr9) Jarrod Bradley, Jake Bridgewater, Chelise Burrows, Tim Egley, Mitchell Jobson, Matthew Nakken, Katie Rogers, Brett Taylor, Dane Thompson, (Yr10) Sally Homer and (Yr12) Joel Deans.
The students rose to the challenge of paddling the 7km up the Shoalhaven Gorge to our pre-selected campsite opposite Monarch Bluff. We encountered a strong headwind for a while but there were only minor complaints of sore arms from the extra effort required. I was impressed with the way the group worked very well together to achieve our common goal. Nathan "Dynamo" Kynes surprised us with his energy and determination, towing one of our four cargo pods all the way while remaining at the front of the charge. The other students towing pods upriver were Matthew Nakken and Joel Deans.
After landing at our site and getting settled, a few had a snooze while others got the campfire going to toast marshmallows and cook some food. Shortly afterward some were back in the boats trying their luck at fishing along the cliffs and around the dead trees protruding from the water. Mitchell Jobson and Dane Thompson caught a few bass but the rest of us were not so skilled. Those not fishing were happy to swim and clamber over the boats in the water, even having pod races where they would straddle and balance on a pod while trying to paddle – not an easy task. While she was exploring Ms Imber found another more-frequented campsite about 150metres further upstream. When the idea of moving sites was suggested to the students there was a prompt and unanimous lack of interest. Seems we’d paddled far enough for one day.
A variety of food selections appeared for the evening meal and the students again showed a sense of caring for each other by offering to share what they had with everyone else. More marshmallows toasted and stories were told around the campfire, and by about 9pm most were worn out enough to head off to their tents for some well deserved shuteye. Frogs provided a chorus to lull us off to sleep.
Early Friday morning the birds performed a beautiful symphony of song to wake up to. Amidst that there were sounds of fish jumping for bugs on the water. That was enough to get the keen fishermen out of their tents to cast a line from both shore and kayaks. A few more caught and released by the same two experts, the novices missing out again. While the rest of the camp was rising I took the opportunity to check out another recommended camping site next to Bullangalong Creek, 2km further upstream. When I offered an invitation for anyone to join me, Nathan Kynes, jumped at the opportunity. It’s a site we’ll use another time we travel this way.
After a hearty breakfast we broke camp and packed up ready for the trip home. On the return trip the 3 students towing the pods were Evan Perkins, Jake Bridgewater and Brett “Snapper” Taylor. He can tell you the story… it involves fishing rods. We met several kayakers and canoeists heading upriver and we exchanged friendly greetings as we passed by. Some looked as though they were planning to camp for a long time, going by the amount of gear in their boats. We arrived back at school at 3:07pm to parents eagerly waiting to hear the stories from our adventure. Many of them helped us with the unloading of kayaks and gear (MUCH APPRECIATED).
To all the students on the trip, Ms Imber and I would like to commend you on your achievement and team spirit displayed. Thankyou for allowing us to share our passion for kayaking and the outdoors with you. And thankyou for being willing to be challenged and learn more about this great land and, more importantly, about yourselves.
Mr. J Wilson
