Welcome to Kirinari Kayak Club!
We are an affiliated club with Paddle Victoria and Paddle Australia we have club structures in place to support all members and quite a history as a significant paddling organisation. An important club resource is our Kirinari Club Handbook (including safety regulations) and this can be found (and downloaded) from this site. In it you will find useful information for your paddling and club membership as well as information on the history of our club.
A bit of information about our club:
- We organise a monthly club paddle for the last Sunday morning of the month (so keep these dates free in your calendar!). We try to paddle a variety of rivers in Victoria though it is always dependent on river levels subject to rain or environmental water releases. As such, information about the time/place of the paddle is generally made in the week prior to the paddle via our K’NEWS (Kirinari News) email newsletter, with further updates and additional details provided on our member’s Facebook site.
- KNIPS (Kirinari Next-Step Improvement Paddles) are held several times throughout the year (recently we have been able to run these most months, usually mid-month between Lower Homestead Rd and Wittons Reserve in Wonga Park). These paddles are open to all members as they are designed to improve your paddle skills and take you to your personal ‘next-step’. So, no matter what stage you are in your paddling journey, from novice through to advanced, there is something in this for you including assisting to help others re-enforce their skills. Calendar of dates for KNIPS Paddles is published on Facebook and confirmed time/place is provided in both the K’NEWS newsletter and on Facebook.
- Subject to interest levels, in the past the club has tried to make opportunity for rolling practice with your kayak in a swimming pool.
- Each March Kirinari joins with the Yarra Riverkeeper Association and CleanUp Australia to participate in a cleanup of the section of the Yarra from Lower Homestead Rd to Wittons Reserve. We encourage all club members to be involved.
- For several years (subject to member interest) we have had a weekend away at Anglers Rest (generally in September) to paddle a section of the Big River and the Mitta. These sections of river require a degree of experience and are something to aim for as you progress in your paddling experience.
- We like to have many social paddles including our Christmas paddles with families in December.
- We encourage members to continue their learning and do further courses with Paddle Victoria or other providers including safety courses and tour leader courses.
- Kirinari support Paddle Victoria in running paddles for women in kayaking.
- Our Annual General Meeting is held each year in September. There are a number of committee positions and we encourage all members to consider nominating.
A key feature of the Club is access to friendly support, advice and friendship.
The Club offers a network of mutual support which will enable you to build upon your paddling skills and to learn more about paddling equipment, ranging from boats, throw ropes, to clothing to wear.
Whilst your membership provides a monthly newsletter and access to insurance there are other benefits. The regular monthly club paddles, novice improvement paddles, the occasional information nights, special dinners and pool nights provide access to a range of practical experiences for members which can only serve to improve their level of skill and expertise.
Membership costs for those with basic skills is $35 per annum. Plus a registration fee payable to Paddle Victoria of approximately $95
