Paddle WA has been fortunate to secure funding through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Culture (DLGSC) to allow us to provide paddling training to teachers and community members in the north of the state.
Two Flatwater Guide courses have been conducted in the past few weeks – one at One Arm Point in the Kimberly and one in the Pilbara at Port Hedland.
We are excited to be bringing a love of paddling to these regional communities and look forward to continuing out across the regions in the new year.
Kimberly – Ardyaloon (One Arm Point)
The first course was run at Ardyaloon (One Arm Point) approximately 200km north of Broome at the tip of the Dampier Peninsula.
Teachers and community members from Ardyaloon and the nearby community of Djarindjin, took part in the Flatwater Guide course over two days.
A great deal of fun was had by all and now these two communities are close to having eight newly qualified Guides to be able to run paddling trips for the locals.
The One Arm Point Remote Area School as had a fleet of sit on top boats on a trailer new and unused since they first bought them four years ago.
They are now looking at putting them to good use!
A special gift
Rosalie, Leonie, Fiona and I were very touched to receive this lovely gift from Phillip McCarthy. Phillip was our local contact at One Arm Point.
Thank you, Phillip, we love it! It’s proudly displayed in our office.
Whilst in Broome, Leonie and Pete also made contact with a number of schools and community groups in the region.
This has resulted in increased community awareness of the role and services that Paddle WA can offer, and we already have at least one course to run in Broome early next year.
Pilbara – Port Hedland
The second regional course was held in Port Hedland where teachers from Hedland Senior High School took part in the Flatwater Guide course.
Once fully qualified the teachers will be looking at expanding their Outdoor Education program into including paddling activities and camps.
Following this course, Pete ran a paddling skills day for young people and leaders from the Royal Life Saving Society WA Talent Pool program in Port Hedland.
He had run a course for them earlier in the year and it was great to catch up with those who had done that course as well as some new participants.
Two courses are already booked for next year – one at Dampier and another in Broome, plus there are a couple more still in the pipeline.
Thanks very much to DLGSC for the support they are giving to Paddle WA and our Regional communities.
