SUPing Around 2

Happy post-Christmas SUPers!  I hope ‘Sack Daddy’ (or Mummy) was kind and you scored some nice paddling gear for Christmas. I was treated to a few new dry bags (like I need any more!) and I got out on the water for a long-awaited paddle last week.  

I even got my partner out and that’s a mission on its own. I lured him out to have a go on my Red Equipment inflatable. He was impressed.  There may be another Red in my paddle stable before too long 🙂

As promised here are my next lot of paddle locations around Perth:

Kent Street Weir/Canning River Regional Park

Kent Street Weir is one of my all-time favourites.  I usually save this one for winter or spring days.  The push-off point is in Canning River Regional Park.  The beauty of this spot is that you have choices.  Up-river for a leisurely paddle into the upper-reaches of the Canning River.  I have paddled 11.22km up to Roe Highway before turning around, or as far as I could before the water became too tangled with sticks and reeds.

I also returned the following weekend (because I don’t ever say die)  to see if I could start further up with my inflatable and make my way down.  Once again, I was foiled by sticks, snags and shallow water, but I had fun trying!

Down river from the weir is a whole other experience with the river expanding as you get further towards the Swan River.  I’ve paddled down as far as the Leach Highway (about 3 km one way) to have coffee at Lo Quay River Cafe right near the bridge before paddling back up.

💦Kent Street Weir is an easy launch spot and has plenty of parking – drop and park is available close to the entry.

💦Public toilets and a fantastic cafe on site for post-paddle eats and coffee.

💦Popular with mostly kayakers

💦Birdlife and spotting is brilliant especially in Spring when the darters and cormorants are nesting (fluffball alert)

Matilda Bay, Nedlands

Matilda Bay is a popular picnic spot so parking is not always guaranteed close to where you want to paddle from.  The water in the bay is generally calm. But on a windy day it can be relentless. This is not my favourite spot to paddle unless it’s dead calm.

A nice paddle is up around the blue boat shed, an iconic Perth landmark built in the 1930s and much photographed,  and Eliza the bronze statue just to check out what she might be wearing!

💦The beach at Matilda Bay is easy to launch from

💦Toilets and changerooms available 

💦A great spot for a BBQ and a paddle – free gas BBQs on site

💦Cafe open on weekends

Garratt Road Bridge

Garratt Road Bridge is my go-to spot to launch. It’s close to where I live and  I spent many years rowing from ANA Rowing Club so I know this part of the river intimately.  It’s a super busy spot with kayakers, rowers and people enjoying the riverside but I have never had a problem parking or launching from here.

Up river or down river?

You can choose which direction you go depending on the wind.  Down river towards the city is Kuljak Island – once you get under the Garratt Road bridge paddle about 200 m and turn left.  This little loop is one of the most peaceful paddles I know. Bird life is prolific. You can keep going under the bridges (planking may be required when the water is high) and come out the other end to loop back via the main river or turn around and paddle back the way you came.

Up river, I usually head under the Tonkin Hwy bridge.  Turning around at Garvey Park gives you around a 4 km round trip or you can continue up as far as you like.  Ascot Kayak Club just past  Ron Courtney Island is a great spot to stop for a coffee when the cafe is open.  There are toilet facilities there also.

And if you want to keep going, Sandy Beach Reserve is another lovely spot to pull up paddles.  Coffee vans are usually onsite on the weekends and toilet facilities are available. If you have littles, the playground there is pretty cool also.

💦The beach at Garratt Road Bridge is easy to launch from – beware of some submerged drains/rocks towards the bridge.

💦The cafe here is amazing and a great spot to have breakfast and coffee

💦Toilet facilities available

💦Parking is always available

Maylands Yacht Club

Maylands Yacht Club is a great spot to set off from and go left or right.  I have paddled to the left – up river but only on a couple of occasions.  I am usually joining the breakfast paddlers if I launch from the yacht club, and it’s usually early.

From launch to Claisebrook Cove is around 2 km. The Brekkie crew like to be on the water by 7:00 am, a leisurely breakfast at Partisan Cafe and paddle back to Maylands.  Usually done and dusted by 9:00 – 9:30.

Breakfast ‘must remembers’:

💦A leash to tie your board up at the end and for safety

💦Card or cash for eats and coffee

💦Don’t leave any valuables in your car

Another Maylands Yacht Club paddle worth doing:

The bridge’s paddle around Heirisson Island is a good solid paddle of about 8.5 km. A good one to do early so you don’t get caught in the seabreeze as you round the island. Keep your eyes peeled for kangaroos!

If you missed the first SUPing Around it’s below! Until next time. 🙂

SUPing Around