Tuesday 21 March 2023 Kangaroo River: Hampden Bridge to Bendeela

Despite the somewhat dismal forecast we left home on Monday morning, heading north for our big adventure. Having stopped at Ulladulla to meet up with G&R for lunch at Native Cafe we then drove on to our accommodation in Kangaroo Valley.

Soon after the cars were unloaded and the cottage explored we walked next door to Paddle and Portage Canoes to seek information conditions on the lake and more importantly to check out their range of fabulous Swift Canoes.

The staff were very welcoming and immediately most helpful. We learnt the section of river between Hampden Bridge and Bendeela was at a suitable level to paddle, but not without risk of damage to the Deltas. However although Paddle and Portage don't hire out canoes for this section we could easily hire plastic kayaks from another business in town. Then Daniel spent over an hour with L&I showing us the range of Swift Canoes and talking through which boats might suit us and why.

Having ascertained we planned to paddle from Bendeela to Tallowa Dam, camping for a couple of nights along the way, Dan then pulled out a map and showed us the best and most secluded campsites for our little group and warning us there were quite a few school groups out on the lake who would be at the larger campsites.

Longing to paddle the Kangaroo River between Hampden Bridge and Bendeela I asked Dan if Paddle and Portage did guided tours on this section. Yes they do! Could they do one tomorrow? Yes they could at a time of their choosing!! Excitement growing, I said we would have to check with S&V and could we let them know later that evening? Yes, I could.

With R keen, we laid out the proposal over dinner at the pub and decided, some more enthusiastically than others, that we were up for the challenge. I rang Dan who said to be at Paddle and Portage at 9.00am the next morning.

Here is R's description, from the front seat so to speak, of our guided paddle.

Gathering on the Banks of the Kangaroo River a short way upriver of historic Hamden Bridge, at the weir, Dan gave our group of 5 some instruction on the riverbank (stressing the occupant of the rear seat in a canoe always calls the shots) before launching the canoes. We spent about 20 minutes in the water below the weir endeavouring to put into practice the theory we had learnt on the bank .  Dan then led us downstream and under the bridge and had us pull in so he could explain the hazards of the first rapid and which line to take.

 This would be a somewhat different experience to the sit-in kayaks we were used to, with the added option of kneeling or sitting in a canoe.  Also, this was one occasion when being the 5^th wheel had its advantages since I got to occupy the lead canoe with Dan and I could just follow instruction, putting all faith into the fact that Dan knew what he was doing and I didn’t need to worry.  This did mean however it was always the first canoe into the rapids. Even though they were low grade rapids they were plenty rapid enough for we grey haired warriors.  Dan steered a course for us through each of the three rapids and we all made it safe and sound, expletives galore coming from one of the canoes, all still in the upright position and feeling exhilarated.  There was no shortage of captains however, since two of the canoes had two captains each reinforcing Daniel's comment that tandem canoes were sometimes labelled divorce boats.

 We continued on our paddle, spotting water dragons along the way, to Bendeela campground where Paddle and Portage had a vehicle and trailer waiting to transport us back to Kangaroo Valley Township.  It was an outstanding adventure enjoyed by all and we were very glad to have had Dan of Paddle and Portage as our tour guide.  We can highly recommend this experience.

 We celebrated our achievements at the pub and set off to our accommodations for a good nights sleep in readiness for our kayak camp adventure to begin the following day. 

In my excitement and trepidation I didn't remember to turn on the GoPro until after we were at the bottom of the first rapid. Also, I don't know what I did but the last portion of the footage is sped up.

Many thanks to Daniel for arranging a tour for us at such short notice.  It was a splendid way for flat water kayaks to experience this very attractive section of the river. If we had attempted it in our kayaks I think, other than L, the rest of us would have been dumped in the first rapid.

River Level at Hampden Bridge: 51 or 52cm

6kms