THIS CONTENT WILL BE DISCARDED - FOR REFERENCE ONLY
Watch out:
Paddlers should be aware that all activities in water pose a risk. How prepared are you?
Firstly review what class/grade means when reading the Waterways Guide.
Watch the video for the basics on safety.
Join a Paddle Club to find like - minded paddlers and develop your skills for your paddling interest. Here is a list of Clubs in New South Wales.
Prepare yourself for all paddling trips by using checklists for good trip planning. Always leave emergency plans with someone on shore. The Australian Canoeing Safety Guidelines provide details for recreational paddlers.
Attend a PaddleNSW course for trip leaders for the flat, whitewater and ocean paddling.
International River Grading System and Sea/Open Water Grading System is described below:
The Sea /Open Water Grading System
Unlike the International River Grading System there is no universally accepted grading system for the sea, estuaries and large areas of open water. This grading system has been developed by PaddleNSW qualified Sea Instructors to assist in describing all waterways in the Guide.
Sea and open water conditions vary according to many factors, these may include:
• wind strength
• duration the wind has been blowing
• fetch (the distance over which the wind has blown)
• depth of water
• bottom type and shape
• presence and type of shore lines
• currents
• air and water temperature
• tide
The Sea/Open Water Grading System is an indication of the expected difficulty for a designated journey rather than a specific area or site. It is based on the paddling trip being carried out in up to “moderate” wind conditions (i.e. Beaufort Scale Force 4, 20-28 Km/ h, 11-16 Knots). It is the overall grade for the trip also taking into account factors such as expected water conditions, swell, type of entry and exits distance between suitable landing spots and from land or forms of support and rescue, type of coast and other hazards (rocks, reefs, vessels etc).
It should always be remembered that a significant change in the intensity or direction of the wind or swell could turn a comfortable paddling trip on the sea or open water into a challenging and potentially dangerous situation in a matter of minutes. Be prepared with the appropriate equipment, skills and knowledge including an awareness of the current weather forecast.
SO1: Sheltered flat water with minimal currents, easy entry and exits and less than 500m from safe landing sites.
SO2: Unsheltered Inland open waters, estuaries and lakes, or sheltered coastline. Small waves / surf <0.5m, currents <2km/h, <1km crossings or from safe landing sites.
SO3: Sheltered coastal waters with possible wind against wave or tide effects and moderate breaking seas. Possible surf entry and exits less than 1m, currents <4km/h, up to 5km crossings or from safe landing sites.
SO4: Unsheltered coastal waters may encounter steepening swell and breaking seas, wind against wave or tide effects. Entry and exits may be difficult and involve negotiation of surf up to 2m. May involve fast currents <7km/h and <10km crossings or from safe landing sites
SO5: Unsheltered coastal waters, isolated remote areas and ocean with crossings or distance from safe landing sites of up to 30km. May encounter large, steep swell, breaking waves and complex fast currents. Possible dangerous surf entries and exits >2m
River grading in Australia and New Zealand is taken from the International River Grading System:
Grade I: Moving water with a few riffles and or small regular waves. Easy passage, but care may be needed with obstacles.
Grade II: Rapids have many medium sized waves (less than 1 Meter), Low ledges or drops, easy eddies and gradual bends. The passage is easy to recognize and is and generally unobstructed.
Grade III: Rapids have fairly high waves (1-2 meters tall), broken water, strong currents and eddies, large holes, exposed rocks and small falls. The passage may be difficult to recognize from on the river and maneuvering around obstacles is required to negotiate the rapid.
Grade IV: Difficult rapids that have high, powerful, irregular waves, broken water, often boiling or strongly recirculating eddies, strong powerful hydraulics, ledges, drops and dangerous exposed rocks. The passage often difficult to recognize and precise sequential maneuvering is required. A definite risk of injury or long swims exists.
Grade V: Very powerful rapids, with very confused and broken water, massive waves, large drops, violent and fast currents, abrupt turns, difficult powerful stopper hydraulics, Many dangerous exposed rocks and fastly boiling terminal eddies. There are numerous obstacles in the main current, including dangerous, possibly life threatening hazards. The extreme for commercial operations. Complex, Precise and powerful sequential maneuvering is required for safe passage. A definite risk to personal health and safety exists.
Grade VI: Extremely dangerous, classified as unraftable. All previous difficulties increased to the limit of practicability. Very confused, Very Violent, Exploding and folding water so difficult that controlled navigation by raft is virtually impossible. Swimming this grade of rapid is considered suicidal. Requires extreme luck or skill to finish.
International River Grading System. There are six levels each referred to as "Grade" or "Class" followed by a number. The scale is not linear, nor is it fixed. For instance, there can be hard grade twos, easy grade threes, and so on. The grade of a river may change with the level of flow.
Grade 1 Easy
Slow to medium flowing water with very small, regular waves or riffles. Relatively few obstacles, with an easy path to find and follow.
(We start on these)
Grade 2 Medium
Rapids are straighforward with medium sized, regular waves. The path through the rapids can be clearly seen from the water and is often indicated by well-defined chutes of Vs of water. There are some obstacles that require manoeuvring around, but paddlers with a good command of basic strockes can easily miss them.
(We start on these if you have some paddling experience)
Grade 3 Difficult Grade 3 river
Rapids have moderate, irregular waves and strong currents. Manoeuvrin is required to follow the preferred route. Small to medium size stoppers may have to be negotiated. The route is difficult for inexperienced paddlers to see and scouting is advisable. Suitable for experienced Whitewater paddlers with the ability to roll an advantage.
(Penrith Whitewater Stadium is an example)
Grade 4 Advanced
Rapids have large waves and powerful confused currents. Drops are big and stoppers can be large and unavoidable. Fast manoeuvres may need to be made. The route is not clear, and scouting may be needed. Suitable only for very experienced whitewater paddlers with consistent skills and reliable rolls.
Grade 5 Expert
Extremely long, obstructed or powerful rapids. Rapids may contain very large unavoidable drops, waves, and stoppers and turbulent, unpredictable currents. Fast and accurate manoeuvring is necessary. Eddies may be very small, turbulent and scarce. The route is complex and scouting is highly recommended.
Suitable only for expert paddlers, who are willing to accept the higher level of risk. Rolling in adverse conditions is essential. Swiming is very dangerous.
Grade 6 Extreme
Rapids are extremely technically difficult, powerful and unpredictable. They are rarely paddled and if they are paddled successfully they are usually downgraded to Grade 5+.
The river cannot be paddled without severe risk to life.
The Sea /Open Water Grading System with indicative skills/knowledge
Grade
Typical location description
Indicative skills/knowledge
SO1
Easy
Sheltered flat water with minimal currents, easy entry and exits and <500m from safe landing sites.
Eg. Sections of the tidal areas of the Colo River, Nepean River, Mooney Mooney Creek, Georges River, Hacking River, Shoalhaven River
Able to control the course of the craft paddled using basic paddling strokes. Can confidently do a wet exit from boat and an assisted deep water rescue.
SO2
Medium
Unsheltered Inland open waters, estuaries and lakes, or sheltered coastline. Small waves / surf <0.5m, currents <2km/h, <1km crossings or from safe landing sites.
Eg. Lake Jindabyne, Myall Lakes, Lake Macquarie, Broken Bay, Sydney Harbour, Middle Harbour, Port Hacking, Jervis Bay
Able to paddle for at least an hour and use a variety of steering strokes and support stroke (i.e. Low Brace) to control boat in small waves and surf. Can recue self if capsized in small surf, can take part and also perform deep water rescues. Basic navigation.
SO3
Difficult
Sheltered coastal waters with possible wind against wave or tide effects and moderate breaking seas. Possible surf entry and exits <1m, currents <4km/h, up to 5km crossings or from safe landing sites.
Eg. Palm Beach to MacMasters Beach, Watsons Bay to La Perouse, Bundeena to Stanwell Park, .Kiama to Gerroa,
Able to maintain forward paddling for at least 2 hours and use steering and support strokes (i.e. High Brace) to control boat in moderate waves. Understanding of surf to be able to judge how, when and where to land or exit through surf. Can self rescue and roll, able to navigate from boat and have understanding of maritime rules and navigation
SO4
Advanced
Unsheltered coastal waters may encounter steepening swell and breaking seas, wind against wave or tide effects. Entry and exits may be difficult and involve negotiation of surf up to 2m. May involve fast currents <7km/h and <10km crossings or from safe landing sites
Eg.. Hawks Nest to Broughton Island, Currarong to Summercloud Bay, Mystery Bay to Montague Island,
Able to paddle continuously for several hours in difficult sea conditions including breaking waves and fast currents. Able to control boat in moderate sized surf with ability to ‘read’ surf beach water conditions. Can confidently self rescue and roll in confused water. Skilled in maritime navigation
SO5
Expert
Unsheltered coastal waters, isolated remote areas and ocean with crossings or distance from safe landing sites of up to 30km. May encounter large, steep swell, breaking waves and complex fast currents. Possible dangerous surf entries and exits >2m
Eg. Tathra to Mallacoota
Strong paddlers able to apply complex sea kayaking skills in difficult conditions and maintain sustained paddling for extended periods. Should be able to control boat and roll in heavy surf and ‘white water’ conditions. Able to navigate under adverse condition and out of site of land.