Category: Standup Paddling

SUPing Around 2

As the sun goes down on another year here are some more paddling locations to try in 2026

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.

Lo Quay River Cafe near Leach Hwy Bridge

💦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

Looking for SUP lessons Nicki is back on the water for Summer!

https://perthsupschool.com.au/

SUPing Around

Welcome to my first newsletter.  You are here because you paddle or are paddle-curious. Or maybe you just thought SUP has something to do with food or drink? I will try to satisfy all comers. Perhaps there are recipes we can share 🙂

I recently did a round up of some of my favourite standup paddle locations around Perth so I thought I would start with those.  These are not the only places you can paddle in Western Australia; we are very lucky to have so many spots to splash, and I will continue to review and add places to paddle in future issues.

Claughton Reserve, Bayswater

Looking for a sheltered upriver paddle location. Claughton Reserve in Katanning Street, Bayswater is one of my favourite SUP launch spots. 

💦there’s heaps of parking

💦a toilet block (in fact one of the funkiest toilet blocks I have ever seen!)

💦water fountains for filling your water bottle

💦easy to get in and out of the water

💦coffee stop at Ascot Kayak Club on weekends

It’s a great place to explore up or down the river depending on the winds.  A nice short paddle from there is up river and around Ron Courtney Island.

Ocean Paddling Perth

Perth’s southern beaches; Leighton, South Beach & Coogee Beach are wonderful when the conditions are right.  It’s knowing when the conditions are right that is the tricky part.

As with most outdoor activities in Perth I always go out in the mornings – the earlier the better.

In the Summer months from November to March the morning winds are more likely to be offshore (Easterly) and light.  Once the Freo Doctor comes in it’s too late and too windy. 

Use weather apps such as:

Willy Weather

Seabreeze

BOM

Windy.com

Not only is getting up early to paddle good for getting the right or no winds, but also to avoid the hottest part of the day.

Perth’s southern beaches:

💦are easy to get to

💦have free parking – but can be busy the later you arrive (see, getting up early has other benefits!)

💦have great cafes

💦have showers and changerooms

💦you can sometimes see dolphins, whales & sealions

💦North Coogee has the Omeo Wreck – great for SUPing around but also a very popular snorkelling spot. Pack your gear!

Go with a group or a buddy if you are a first timer on the ocean, ALWAYS use a leg leash and don’t go out further than you are comfortable with.   Be prepared to get wet and HAVE FUN!

Point Walter Reserve Bicton

You can paddle down river from the Point Walter sandbar, up past the cliffs at Blackwall Reach. Depending on the wind it can be quite sheltered through there.

Keep paddling down to Bicton Baths  and turn around or alternatively (depending on wind) do the reverse.

Handy tip: always paddle into the wind on the way out so you get a free ride on your return. It makes a difference

💦parking is usually available closeby  and if it’s not you can drop and park.

💦there’s  a great cafe at Point Walter

💦the scenery is amazing along Blackwall Reach

💦dolphins also love this part of the river

Freshwater Bay, Peppermint Grove

Freshwater Bay in Peppermint Grove is a beautiful spot to get out on the water. There’s usually sheltered waters close to the shore for those venturing out for the first time. Or for the more adventurous, a paddle along the cliff’s edge to the yacht club is a lovely paddle. Dolphins 🐬 are common in this area.

💦the water is clear

💦the shore easy to access

💦parking not usually a problem

💦 cafe close by for coffee and snacks

Some links to previous articles and websites of interest:

Top Water Activities in Perth to Try Today
Choosing the Right Waterproof Bag: Tips and Reviews
Avon Descent Paddle Challenge 2019
All In A Day #14 – Sealion the deal

Interested in racing and SUP events including the SUP Loop check out Perth’s SUP body SUPWA https://supwa.tidyhq.com/

Next newsletter: Kent Street Weir, Maylands Breakfast Paddle, Heirisson Island, Matilda Bay

Choosing the Right Waterproof Bag: Tips and Reviews

Dry bags for wet situations! A look at ways to keep your stuff dry when on the water.

I have used all types of waterproof bags in my paddling life. As a rower, kayaker and SUPer I have worked my way through dry bags, phone cases and plastic bags. I’ve tried waist clips, shoulder clips, board clips and a string around my neck. I have more dry bags than handbags.

Of course it will always be up to personal choice and comfort so there is no perfect solution for everyone. The perfect solution is the one that works for you.

Dry Bags

The good old dry bag is a sure thing. It’s purpose built to keep your stuff dry, and provided you fold the top over correctly (at least 3 times) it will work. I use a dry bag to carry things on my board because I have straps that I can clip onto.

Who doesn’t love an Aldi bargain?

You can buy affordable dry bags anywhere. My faves are a set I got from ‘the aisle of dreams’ at Aldi. I also have bags from Sea to Summit which are more lightweight but just as effective. I have used the heavy-duty bags from Red Equipment – the 30L Waterproof Roll Top Dry Bag Backpack is great for using on your board or on your back.

Dry bags all the way when on the ocean!

Phone Cases & Bags

Since the dawn of the smart phone we have been seeking ways to protect them from getting wet, getting cracks, or getting lost!

Like everyone, I have purchased every new phone case known to woman. I had a great one that used to clip around my waist but the seal eventually gave up the ghost and I resorted to dry bags.

New Equipment

Which brings me to my latest piece of Red Equipment. I recently trialed on my SUP board and while out hiking, the Lightweight Waterproof Crossbody Bag 7L.

Disclaimer: I am an affiliate for Red Equipment but this doesn’t influence my opinions. While I believe in their products, my reviews are my opinions only.

This 7L bag is the ideal size for carrying your phone, keys and a piece of clothing. I carried my lightweight puffer jacket, phone, snack, keys and glasses on my latest hike. I used it as a crossbody bag for a while, before changing it to my waist. I found the waist placement much more comfortable and easier to access.

When I carried it on my SUP board last weekend I used it as a crossbody bag which was better than I thought. I had thought it would get in the way of the paddle but it was snug enough to keep out of the way. In future I will use it on my waist as that is my preference.

I persevered with using it in the crossbody style because that’s what it’s marketed as. It is better as a waist or shoulder bag in my opinion.

The bag does have a separate zip pocket inside for your phone and keys which would keep them dry, but I’m not convinced that your other gear would stay dry if fully immersed in water for any length of time. It has the roll down top used on dry bags which works better the more you put in the bag (if that makes sense).

I am an experienced paddler so falling in is not (usually) on the cards for me (if I chose not to) so I feel comfortable using this bag to protect my gear.

Were I to be out on the ocean or in a situation where falling in was a certainty, I would probably opt for a dry bag on my board or extra protection within the Red bag.

The bag itself is a nice looking bag and it comes in three different colours. It has an adjustable crossbody/waist/shoulder strap, and outside zip pocket, straps for bike handlebars and an external bungee system for extra items.

It is hardy and feels like it would survive almost anything I could throw at it or in it. This bag retails for $78.95 – if you use my link you get 15% discount.

So I guess it’s dry bags all the way for me on the water. They are good in most circumstances due to their reliability and cost. If ,like me, you love a good ‘fanny pack’ , ‘bum bag’ or whatever you call them, the RED Equipment Waterproof Crossbody bag is a pretty cool addition to your bag wardrobe.