NSW Sea Kayak Club upcoming events

AGM Camping (for coordinating camp sites) (16 Oct 2026)

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMT

If you are planning to camp for the AGM and are interested in sharing a site. Please register here. We only have 21 people signed up for the AGM at the moment, so logistics should not be too hard.

Best camp site looks to be Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park. 6 people maximum per site.

I find commercial camp sites quite frustrating, but these are the rules:

- One car only

- Minimum 2 night stay

- Current pricing for an unpowered site is $220 for the two nights. If we can aim to get a few people on each site, then the cost becomes more reasonable.

Please register here and I will attempt to coordinate between those who sign up.

Richard.

AGM Weekend - Swansea Caves and Lake Macquarie (17 Oct 2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMT

NSW Sea Kayak Club Annual General Meeting

This year's AGM weekend will be at Swansea in the Hunter region on Saturday 17 October.

There are some great paddling options for everybody from exploring the caves between Swansea and Catherine Hill Bay to the quieter waters of Lake Macquarie. We will aim to put on a number of trips to suit those who want to attend the weekend.

The AGM itself will be held at the Swansea RSL where we have a room booked with water views. Refreshments and food will be available at the RSL after a day on the water. At this stage, there are no plans for a speaker etc, but this may change closer to the time if somebody has some good tales to share from a recent trip.

The AGM is where the "office bearers" of the Club are elected and where other business associated with running the Club can be discussed. We are always looking for new people to help on the Committee, so if this interests you, please give it some thought before the AGM and have a chat to one of the Committee members. In particular, this year we will be looking for at team of 3 or 4 people to help organise Rock and Roll 2027 at Currarong on 13/14 March 2027.

There are a couple of camping options at Swansea close to the water and the RSL. I will check these out before the event and confirm which location we will use. When registering for the AGM, please select either the "camping" or "not camping" option so that we can try to coordinate and share camping sites used by the Club.

Lake Macquarie Richard's AGM Paddle -Saturday (17 Oct 2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Saturday morning paddle before the AGM.

Plan A is to head over to Pulbah Island for around 10-15km paddle. Final details to be confirmed depending on weather and group.

Meet at Pirrita Island Car Park to be on the water for 10:00am. Bring a packed lunch, water and snacks for the trip. Expected return around 2pm.

Sea kayaks to normal Club standards with deck lines and spray decks.

Trip suitable for Grade 1 and above.

Please contact Richard Hackett if you have any questions.

Pre AGM enclosed waters paddle Sat 17 Oct, 10-15kms (17 Oct 2026)

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Adding another option for a Saturday morning paddle on enclosed waters prior to the AGM (5.30pm onwards).

Similar to Richard's paddle (we may combine), this trip will aim for the lovely Pulbah Island where there's nice beaches to land on. Total trip will be 10-15kms. Final details to be confirmed closer to the weekend.

Bring your own drinks, snacks and lunch.

Meet at Pirrita Island Car Park for an on water start at 10.00am.

Trip suitable for all grades.

Cathy Miller

Nords Wharf via Pulbah Island AGM Trip (18 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 21:30:00 GMT

A relaxed cruise around the southern part of Lake Macquarie from Swansea to Nords Wharf via Pulbah Island. Distance is around 16km with total paddling time around 3 hours. Bring snacks, drink, sun protection and kayak to Grade 2.

Suitable for all grades.

Meet Sunday at 8:30am for 9:00 launch at Pirrita Island car park next to Swansea Lakeside Holiday Park.

Sunday AGM weekend - ocean paddle from Swansea Heads (18 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Join us for a social paddle from Swansea Heads. We will paddle S at least as far as Shark Hole, and perhaps do a lap of Green Island. 15 - 20 km. Depending on interest and conditions we could also land at Catherine Hill Bay.

Open to Grade 2+, and kayaks to Grade 2 standard please. We are likely to be poking around slots and maybe caves on the way down so helmets are mandatory for that activity. Meet at 0900, on the water at 0930.

Any questions, please contact Paul Thomas

Lake Macquarie Richard's AGM Paddle -Sunday (18 Oct 2026)

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Sunday morning paddle after the AGM.

Depending on conditions, focus will be on skills, boat handling and rescues. Final details to be confirmed depending on weather and group.

Meet at Pirrita Island Car Park to be on the water for 9:30am. Bring water and snacks for the trip. Expected return around 1pm.

Sea kayaks to normal Club standards with deck lines and spray decks.

Trip suitable for Grade 1 and above.

Please contact Richard Hackett if you have any questions.

Hawkesbury River Canoe Classic 2026 (24 Oct 2026)

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Hawkesbury River Canoe Classic 2026

If you've entered this race, please sign up to this trip and we'll compare notes along the way, combine training where possible and organise some familiarisation paddles.

If you haven't yet entered this prestigious event but thinking about doing so, now is the time to do so. Go to their website for full information. The main race is an overnight 100 km paddle, but there are two shorter options. Paddling down the quiet moonlit river at night is a very memorable experience.

The key requirements are an entry fee, plus raise $200+ for their nominated charity, plus lock in a landcrew (2 adults and your car) to accompany you for the weekend, plus get in some serious training.

I am paddling every week now, usually Tuesdays and Fridays, gradually increasing miles week by week. I'll schedule some paddles on the River plus some evening paddles.

I look forward to hearing from you !

Steve Hitchcock

(ignore the reference to camping and accomodation - you will be paddling!)