Craft and Paddles
What craft and paddles are available to use?
At the club we have various types of kayaks which are available to be used by club members. The choice of craft though will depend on the users experience, whether new to kayaking or experienced, and also the activity you’re perusing on the water.
Most disciplines have 2 options – short distance/sprint = heavier, long distance/marathon = lighter.
Below is an overview of the most common kayaking crafts;
K1 = 1 Person Kayak
Description: K1’s are the most unstable and therefore the hardest to paddle. It generally takes paddlers many months to master and it’s therefore suggested you start with either a touring kayak or start early in the summer months (your likely to fall out several times).
Availability; The club has several K1’s which may be used by all club members.
Disciplines: Flat water Sprint, Marathon, and Recreational.
Locations: Best lakes, rivers and inlets.
Requirements for competition:
| Discipline | Minimum weight | Maximum length |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint | 12kgs | 520cm |
| Marathon | 8kgs | 520cm |
K2 = 2 Person Kayak
Description: K2’s are a 2 person version of the K1. Unlike the K1, people of all abilities can enjoy paddling a K2 so long as there is 1 experienced doubles paddler in the boat.
Disciplines: Flat water Sprint, Marathon, and Recreational.
Availability; The club has several K12s which may be used by all club members.
Locations: Best lakes. rivers and inlets.
Requirements for competition:
| Discipline | Minimum weight | Maximum length |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint | 18kgs | 650cm |
| Marathon | 12kgs | 650cm |
K4 = 4 Person Kayak
Description: K4’s are the 4 person version of a K1. They are the fastest of all Canoes/Kayaks with competitors able to complete 200m in 29.023 sec (24.81 km/hr).
Availability: The club currently does not have any K4’s.
Disciplines: Sprint
Locations: Normally only used on a sprint course.
Requirements for competition:
| Discipline | Minimum weight | Maximum length |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint/Marathon | 30kgs | 1100cm |
C1 = Kneel in Canoe
Description: C1’s are a kneel in Canoe that are operated with a single blade paddle. These are particularly popular in Europe. There is no rudder and therefore the back paddler uses their blade to steer the craft.
Availability: The club currently ?
Disciplines: Sprint, and Marathon
Locations: Best for rivers, lakes and inlets.
Requirements for competition:
| Discipline | Minimum weight | Maximum length |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint | 16kgs | 520cm |
| Marathon | 10kgs | 520cm |
C2 = 2 Person Kneel in Canoe
Description: C2’s are the 2 person version of the C1. The competitors paddle on opposite sides. There is no rudder and therefore the back paddler uses their blade to steer the craft.
Availability: The club currently ?
Disciplines: Sprint, and Marathon.
Locations: Best for rivers, lakes and inlets.
Requirements for competition:
| Discipline | Minimum weight | Maximum length |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint | 20kgs | 650cm |
| Marathon | 14kgs | 650cm |
TK1 = Touring Kayak
Description: Touring Kayaks are unique in Australia. They are more stable than both the K series boats and surf ski’s. They are generally slower as your pulling more boat through the water with each stroke.
Availability: The club currently has 4 TK1 boats
Disciplines: Sprint, and Marathon.
Locations: Best for rivers, lakes and inlets.
Requirements for competition:
| Maximum length | Minimum Waterline Beam |
|---|---|
| 457.2cm | 50.8cm |
TK2 = 2 Person Touring Kayak
Description: TK2’s are the 2 person version of a TK1. They are very popular option and many people start out competitions in one. They are generally stable and can be enjoyed in varying conditions.
Availability: The club currently has 1 TK2 for use
Disciplines: Sprint, and Marathon.
Locations: Best for rivers, lakes and inlets.
Requirements for competition:
| Maximum length | Minimum Waterline Beam |
|---|---|
| 548.7cm | 53.3cm |
Ski Boats
Description: Surf Life Saving Australia Ski’s are designed for competitions for life savers and Ironman events. These craft are designed to be rigid enough to sustain breaking surf conditions while keeping a slim enough profile to keep a high level of performance.
Availability: The club currently has 2 Ski boats for use of all club members.
Disciplines: Surf Life Saving events. Competitors race around 3 buoy’s and then catch the runners on the way back into shore.
Locations: Set courses or recreational
Requirements for competition:
| Minimum weight | Maximum length |
|---|---|
| 18kgs | 579cm |
Ocean Ski
Description: Ocean racing is becoming very popular form of competition. This is the marathon version of ski’s with distances ranging from 20km-60km. Navigating the surf is important – raw speed may not win you the race.
Fishing Kayak
Description: Recreational kayaking is extremely popular, given the stability and low cost materials used. Fishing kayaks are especially gaining in popularity. These are perfect for those who would like to get on the water with the least fuss and enjoy what paddling has to offer.
Availability: The club currently doesn’t have any fishing kayaks.