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Most canoeing takes place
on the rivers and estuaries of the south-west corner, from Perth
around to Albany. Sea kayaking is growing in popularity along
interesting sections of our long coastline.
Further north the climate
becomes very hot with the rivers paddleable only after summer
cyclones. The distances are vast and many areas are inaccessible.
Then there are man-eating crocodiles to watch out for! Only the
most intrepid and adventurous paddler will want to explore the
Kimberley, its coast and islands by canoe or kayak.
Paddling for Fun
Flat Water
The ivers have tidal
sections which are paddleable all year round, as well as slow
moving stretches as they cross their coastal plains. As well,
there are some estuaries which make for extensive paddling.
Perth environs
- Swan & Canning, rivers
- Moore River
- Peel Inlet, Murray &
Serpentine rivers, Harvey estuary
Bunbury environs
- Collie, Preston rivers, Leschenault
Inlet
- Margaret River upstream from
the rivermouth
South Coast
- Blackwood River, from Warner
Glen Bridge to Augusta
- Warren River from Larkin
Road Bridge to river mouth
- Broke Inlet
- lower reaches of Deep &
Frankland rivers & Nornalup/Walpole Inlet
- Irwin Inlet
- Wilson Inlet & lower
reaches Denmark River
- Kalgan & King rivers,
Albany
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Rod
Fry paddles C1 at Baden Powell Water Spout on the Murray River
(click on image to see a larger
version)
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White Water/Moving Water
Winter
- Avon and Murray rivers are
easily accessible and close to Perth.
- Collie River above Collie
- Bridgetown - Blackwood River
to Warner Glen Bridge
- Manjimup - Warren River
- Walpole - Deep and Frankland
rivers
- Kalbarri - gorges of the
Murchison River with heavy winter rains
- Collie River when Wellington
Dam overflows with heavier than normal winter rains ( can be
dangerous)
Summer
- The Collie River below Wellington
Dam is a popular paddlers' playground.
- The Murchison River near
Kalbarri is paddleable when summer cyclones move over the catchment
area.
The Ocean
- Rottnest Island, Penguin,
Seal & Carnac islands
- islands near Albany and Esperance,
- Shark Bay - World Heritage
Area
- Ningaloo Reef
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Racing
There is an extensive competitive programme run by the West Australian
canoeing association:
- canoe polo
- sprint
- marathon
- slalom
- wildwater racing
- ocean racing
In addition, there are various
other races which involve paddling - these vary from time to
time:
- Avon Descent
- Perth to Fremantle Classic
Paddle
- Collie, Blackwood & Donnybrook
Marathons
- Collie Descent
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John Day competing in slalom race.
(click on image to see a larger
version)
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