Sydney Uni Canoe Club

Harbour paddles.

Out on the kayaks in Sydney Harbour; we’ll run a Friday evening social paddle ‘round Goat Island most weeks, Sunrise Blast on a Thursday Morning in the skis, and a Salty Saturday out to somewhere interesting across the harbour once a month or thereabouts.

Canoe Polo!

Stick ten boats in a pool, throw in a ball, and watch the feeding frenzy! Canoe Polo = Water Polo + Kayaks. We're currently negotiating our pool time-slots for Canoe Polo in 2025, and will post an announcement once confirmed. Watch this space!

Camping Trips!

There’s nothing quite like being out of the city for a weekend on a river with some elbow room! Our whitewater trips are mostly overnighters, and we’ll run a couple of longer flatwater camping trips a year as well, usually over uni break or a long weekend.

Whitewater.

For those in for an adventure, there are a few whitewater trips on each semester. Barrington, Murrumbidgee, Macquarie, Snowy - we’ll go for a weekend blast wherever the rivers are up!

Surf Sessions!

An afternoon blast in the surf at Maroubra Beach, on every month or two when the weather’s good!

Racing.

We’ll take a team out to the Myall Classic every year, and other races if a few people are keen!

Blackwater.

Hunting phosphorescence, fireworks, or a still night on the water. Our night time 'blackwater' trips run on Sydney Harbour every month or two, for intermediate or experienced paddlers.

Sea Kayaking.

A day trip adventure out beyond the heads! We'll run an ocean paddle a couple of times a year when a few people are keen.






Upcoming Trips & Events:

Simply click on a trip on the calendar for more info. Please note that trips may sometimes be created at short notice.

Keen to join?  

Interested in joining our club? It's easy! Just click the button below to go the sign up page, enter your details, and you'll be paddling in no time! Membership is $50 for USYD students, and $150 for everyone else. We look forward to meeting you on the water!

Frequently Asked Questions:

No. Our club is open to anyone!

No. We provide all boats & gear needed for our trips at no extra cost. There's no per-trip cost beyond the initial membership fee, apart from a $6.50 pool entry for Canoe Polo, and perhaps some contributions to fuel on our camping trips if you’re car-pooling.

$50 per year for USYD students. $150 per year for everyone else.

There's no per-trip cost beyond the initial membership fee for our flatwater and whitewater trips. The only exception to this is a $6.50 pool entry for Canoe Polo, and perhaps some contributions to fuel on our camping trips if you’re car-pooling.

We welcome anyone of any experience level. Our club runs a wide variety of trips to suit everyone from beginners to experts!

  • Beginner trips, such as our Friday Social Paddles, are fun for all. You don't need any experience, and our trip leaders will teach you how to paddle. These are typically 5 to 8km long and run for about two hours.
  • Intermediate trips include longer (15 to 25km) flatwater paddles, whitewater trips, surf sessions, and sea kayaking. For these, you should be able to confidently steer a boat and paddle at a consistent pace.
  • Advanced trips can include grade 3+ whitewater trips, or fast-paced flatwater trips in more difficult boats. These trips are great for confident paddlers looking to try something a bit more adventurous, or advance their skills & paddling technique.

Yes. You must be able to swim at least 50m (one lap of a pool) to join any of our trips. For Whitewater Trips, Surf Sessions, and Sea Kayaking, our trip leaders may expect a stronger swimming ability. The university offers free swimming lessons to students if you would like to improve your swimming ability.

We run an open boatshed day twice a year in the first few weeks of semester where you can come and try before paying the membership fee. We’ll have a BBQ, and go for a very short paddle around Blackwattle Bay.

No. We no longer offer a six month membership.

No. We are a voulunteer run club. You're welcome to join us and come on our trips, but we do not offer private boat storage.

No. We are a volunteer run club, dedicated to building a strong paddling community.

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