Beddo posted:

Forgot about that ! Does not have the same asthetic appeal though ! But there surely would be a life guard near by. I like dodging the black snakes on the river bank though and having tree branches almost rip your head off; plus the trek in was fantastic to the Nymboida. The Franklin River in Tas sounds good, but I thgink it's expensive - anyone done it before ?

Member - Willie , Epping .Syd. posted:

Beddo ,
Forget about sixes , try seven - straight to heaven . I have canoed the Nymboida from way up , down to the Clarence - great rapids and great fishing .
Best to join a canoe club . There is a couple around . Rivers Canoe Club does more touring and white water and less flat water competition so it could be the one for you .
Probably in the phone book , but if not , message me and I will track them down .
Cheers ,
Willie .

Beddo posted:

I heard the Tully was pretty good, our guide did a time up there with Raging Thunder - he said to do that.
So you chase a bit of white water now and then ? It seems the Nymboida with the rain in recent days will be pumping.

Member - JohnR (Vic)&Moses posted:

seems too much past tense Beddo, but have paddled the local river a lot in the 90s when the water was there the Hopkins, have also been on the Snowy, the Mitchell, the Big, the Thompson, Howqua and the Delatite, but been on some of those a few times. The last two are really small but have a couple of tight spots. Really loved the look of the Penrith whitewater course back in August

In NZ have rafted on the Shotover, but prefer kayaking. Much more control of your craft and self.

Nanny State Victoria now says that I have to have a buoyancy vest on no matter what I do in a kayak! From December 1 '05

Lone Wolf posted:

"Nanny State Victoria now says that I have to have a buoyancy vest on no matter what I do in a kayak! From December 1 '05"

Is that on ALL waterways?

Here in SA, it only is enforced on the Murray, and with good reason I might add.

I wear mine EVERYWHERE, regardless of conditions. It now seems like a second skin, and I feel at ease with it, as it's worn in to my body (stretched... okay?).

I guess common sense should prevail, but sometimes, folks need more than that, so the authorities have to ENFORCE common sense.

Sand Man (SA) posted:

The Tully White Water Rafting was fantastic when I was up there three or four years ago, but we went with R&R Rafting.

These guys know exactly what they're doing and safety is a major concern for them.

If you are in a raft full of "loud and excitable youths" you will be sure to be dumped out a couple of times at least. Most rafts get "accidentally" overturned at least once during the trip. All part of the fun.

By the same token, when we were there, one of the raft's occupants consisted of about 8 Japanese youngsters, one of which had no legs.
You know, somehow that particular raft stayed right side up all the way.
Funny about that isn't it?

It is all part of the fun, being led to believe that everyone must get over one side or other to paddle like mad and get around an obsticle, when you really know all the steering is done from the "skipper" in the rear and forward motion controlled by the river flow.

Have heard some years ago there was a death when someone became separated from a raft and was held under a backwash against the rocks and drowned.
I think that was with Raging Thunder, but it could have happened to any Tour Group.

There is a guaranteed "release" of water from the dam just up from where the trip begins and then something like 5 hours of truly magic excitement with grades up to level 5.

Just before the lunch stop, you are "taken" underneath a waterfall and the water is so much colder than the river you are in, that you really fell a brief "shock". Then having gone over the Grade 5 "slippery dip" where every raft except the one mentioned above, either flipped end over end, or turned sideways, depending on the whim of the "skipper".
Then you are invited to float down the river, (you wear a life vest) your bum occasionally sliding over some rounded boulders and the water temperature something like 24 degrees, until being "rounded up" by your raft downstream.

This "Tourist Trip" was one of the best day's entertainment I have experienced and I recommend it to anyone, young or old.

Beddo posted:

OK, yep I like adventure - but what grades are the rapids. The tour groups are expensive aswell !

HJ60-2H posted:

All grades on the Fraklin, conditions dependant. Includes a few compulsary portages as you are dead if you try them.

A few usually die each year for various reasons

Here is a good starting point for info
link text

Beddo posted:

Well after reading that link - I think I will be namsy pamsy, well lets say I will be the sensible one & not be one of those inexperienced rafters that end up in a box or under water somewhere never to be seen again. Peer group pressure normally gets me to do things - but this sounds a bit dodgy. Going to Cape York & the Kimberley alone not a problem (done that), but the rapids etc is another matter. That's for the link.
Cheers Beddo