2019 Murray Descent 1

Bringenbrong to Hume Dam - 194 kms

Expedition Details

Dates: 11-15 November 2019

Distance: 194 kms

Paddlers: 18 participants

Boat Type: 5m plastic sea kayaks

Launch Day 1: ///legs.comfy.competitor Bringenbrong Bridge

Launch Day 2: 47 kms ///celebrities.flourish.flamboyant Clarke’s Lagoon

Launch Day 3: 35 kms ///bamboo.insincere.subliminal Jingellic

Launch Day 4: 43 kms ///echoed.cobbled.alertness Kennedy’s Reserve

Launch Day 5: 30 kms ///spearmint.standstill.wished Wymah Ferry

Finish Day 5: 30kms ///grievance.gestures.generosity Lake Hume

Expedition Description: This was a wonderful kayaking journey through the upper Murray valley. The river can still be classed as moving water for the first three days. The last two days was paddled across the dam, which had no less charm and interest.

What did we learn about expeditions?

Planning: The expedition closely followed the final plan. The shuttle plan was made more complex by paddlers arriving in their own cars. Car pooling will be encouraged for future trips.

Boat Choice: Plastic sea kayaks were a good choice given the moving water conditions. All boats should carry a comprehensive set of repairs items especially in regards to rudders, cables and anything else which could go wrong.

Fleet Flow: The use of scout boats worked well, as did placing our most experienced paddler in the middle of the fleet. The numerous torpedoing of kayaks by submerged logs providing the opportunity to refine rescue and recovery techniques.

Technology: The use UHF radio across the fleet was important in keeping the fleet together across numerous stoppages and in negotiating safe passage around obstacles. Good radio discipline ensured the radio batteries lasted a full week.

Paddler Capabilities: Biggest weakness in this expedition were the paddlers. Some were unseasoned, some were paddling on reputation alone, some were unfamiliar with their boats. In the race to launch, the expedition failed to bond as a group towards a common purpose. Solution is to have a qualification trip, one month before the expedition, to ensure all paddlers and boats are prepared for the same expedition.

Risk Management: The space between a risky situation and a life threatening emergency is about a nano-second, so rescue equipment has to be reachable. Adverse event capabilities need to be shared across the group – everyone needs to know what to do in an emergency, not just the leaders.

New Equipment: SPOT Tracker