A day in the life of the DD&S Kayaking Club
Recently the Duval, Drummond & Smith Kayaking Club went on a practice paddle trip to South West Rocks. It is a 44km paddle designed to show participants what to expect during the Hawkesbury Canoe Classic.
Being part of the DD&S Kayaking Club is a positively fantastic adventure! A day in the life of the South West Rocks training trip went as follows:
After a great deal of packing and organising we have made it down to South West Rocks and it is now the morning of our day of paddling. The morning starts with an unreasonable fear of the great number, and proximity, of kangaroos to humans at the camp. The attack of the staring kookaburras occurs as the crew are washing their breakfast bowls before the expedition really starts at the river.
A warm, sunny day at the coast is welcome by all, however, paddlers find it a little unnerving when they catch a lifejacket floating down the river…… Don’t worry, it’s only because a paddler up ahead had dropped it whilst taking excess clothing off.
Green trees and succulent grass abounds along the banks. A little further along on the 44km trial paddle, it’s time for a toilet stop. One unfortunate paddler got stuck in the mud. Though submerged up to the knee caps, with great laughter he managed to be yanked back into the boat by his mate, who had refused to get out after he’d seen the fate of his front end man. Clever teamwork!
The day progressed and less and less humorous incidences occurred as the university students’ brains start to arise from morning lethargy. Eye spy is always a distracting and entertaining game on the river, keeping one cheery and paddling on. Many interesting conversations occur as groups of boats get down to business. They dig their oars in as the tide changes, uniting to strive on toward the end.
P.S. Sleep is bliss when you’ve worked really hard – even the college tents share our exhaustion at holding against the wind sometimes, letting the roof drop in the middle of the night. It’s all fun and games, telling ghost stories while we lay awaiting sleep on our campsite at the foot of Trial Bay Gaol.
Nothing will ever beat the sense of accomplishment, the overwhelming happiness that seems to well up from some unknown depth in your tired, exhausted body when you steer your kayak into the arms of excited and proud land-crew on the boat ramp at Smithtown. A job well done, hugs all round, and some more of those sticky buns!
"The Hawkesbury Canoe Classic offers a great personal challenge to all aspects of participation in the event. A great social offering as well. The DDS Kayaking Club is unique to Duval and Drummond and Smith Colleges" - Bruin H, Taree, Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Laws
It’s not who comes in first that counts, but that you all make it in the end.