Kayaking Camp
Penrith Kayaking Camp, 2024
The 2024 Penrith Kayaking Camp was a huge success. Students who participated had the opportunity to both learn and test their kayaking skills at Penrith Whitewater Stadium, one of only a few man-made rivers of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere that was built to host the canoe/kayak slalom events at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.
With the assistance of Mr Warwick Draper, Mr David Gibbs, Mr Hiep Do, and the talented coaching team led by Brad McLaughlan (class of 2019) more than 30 students from Plenty and Ridgeway campuses participated in the annual Kayaking Camp.
Kingston Stoddart, Year 7, Plenty Campus
Day 1 was early morning, the sun was shining as the kids from Plenty Campus waited for the bus to arrive with paddlers from The Ridgeway Campus. We were all ready for a long bus ride to the Penrith Whitewater Camp.
On the bus, everyone was talking about what they expected the course to look like and how scary it would be. We weren’t sure about what part of the course we would be training on as many of us were fairly new paddlers so couldn’t imagine training on an Olympic course.
We were lucky enough to be transported all the way to Sydney by minibuses being driven by Mr Gibbs, Mr Do and Matthew Oates (class of 94). It was a long drive, but we had lots of food and break stops along the way and we were all eagerly awaiting our arrival in Penrith. Conversation turned to the sleeping arrangements and what the camp would be like. Advice from others that have experienced Penrith recommended that we get a good sleep - ready for the first paddling session the next morning.
Abby Wavish, Year 8, Ridgeway Campus
On Day 2, we got to attend the Penrith Whitewater Stadium for the first time. Not only did we get to see this venue we also got to use the course for the first time. After a morning and early afternoon of paddling and testing our skills on the water, we then returned to camp for showers and a visit to the Blue Mountains where we were given the opportunity to explore the area. Back at camp, a wonderful dinner had been prepared by parents of the Ivanhoe Grammar Kayak Parent Support Group (KPSG).
My Penrith whitewater kayaking camp experience was like no other. Not only did I meet some amazing people and make lifelong friends, I pushed myself to do things that I never thought I would. Even though I fell in the water about 20 times and was exhausted by the end of it, I had more fun than any camp I’ve ever been on. It was a truly incredible experience to paddle on the Olympic course; in doing so I felt the biggest rush of adrenaline as well as a huge feeling of accomplishment. Overall, it’s safe to say I had no regrets.
Alex Ellul, Year 9, University Campus
For many paddlers, going down the full course of Penrith is a momentous achievement. A small group of our Year 7s achieved this, completing one or multiple circuits without capsizing. Some of Ivanhoe’s more advanced paddlers also started weaving between gates and performing advanced manoeuvres on the course. Overall, day three of Penrith extended a few of us out of our comfort zone, but we also learnt a lot and pushed ourselves past what we would have done without the trip.
After our two intensive training sessions, the paddlers had the evening off for one of the most exciting parts of the trip, our visit to Manly Beach. After taking the train to Sydney Harbour, we saw the massive Sydney Harbour Bridge and got to encounter the beautiful Opera House. From there, we went to Manly, where we got to pick our own dinner as well as experience the beautiful sunset and beach.
Olivia Oates, Year 10, Ridgeway Campus
After two days of skills development, the Penrith camp concluded with a fun games' session on the water. People got to enjoy the course in plastic boats and rafts in a casual relay. The highlight of the morning was an exciting team event, in which paddlers got to showcase their newfound skills while gaining lots of laughter from onlooking parents. After one last effort to pack the trailer, everyone jumped on the bus. The trip home was almost completely silent as all the paddlers were completely wiped out from their big week. Shoutout to Mr Do who found the energy to write a whole maths test on the minibus home. Overall, the Penrith trip was a thrilling experience, where people were tested both physically and mentally to the max. I would encourage anyone seeking to try something new and unique to come along next year and see what paddling is truly about.
Maximus Karamzalis, Year 10, Plenty Campus
The Penrith Canoe Slalom Extension Program at Penrith Whitewater Stadium has inspired many, particularly students from Ivanhoe Grammar. Meeting Olympians Tristan Carter and Tim Anderson who also trained there, shows that hard work and dedication can lead to Olympic success. Their achievements remind Ivanhoe Grammar students that with the right support and facilities, they too can reach the pinnacle of their sport.
Kayaking personally has done a lot for me, I can represent the school at levels that never before seemed possible in just a few short years. The program helped me become a better version of myself by making me mature physically and mentally, giving me the bravery to go down those rivers and to build a body capable of doing so. Paddling instils a sense of freedom, resilience, and exhilaration, making students feel empowered and connected to the natural world. Keep paddling; the waters of opportunity await.
Zack Kysela, Year 10, Plenty Campus
On my recent trip to the Whitewater Stadium in Penrith, I had an incredible opportunity to train in my kayak and canoe on the slalom course alongside top paddlers, including Olympians. Meeting Tristan Carter, a former student of IGS and an Australian Olympic canoe paddler, made the experience even more meaningful. Watching athletes of that calibre in person was worlds better than seeing them on TV or YouTube. Being right there on the water with them was inspiring, pushing me to train harder and work toward hopefully reaching that level myself someday.