AusPaddlers - where skills & adventure meet
At AusPaddlers, kids and teens don’t just learn kayaking — they grow into adventures.
Our 10-level pathway builds confidence, water skills, and a love for the outdoors in a safe, supportive, and exciting program.
Safety prioritised
10 level pathway
Real outdoor environments
Experienced instructors
Community, fun & friendships
Key Features
Adventure that grows with them!
From first splashes to leading their own adventures, our 10-level pathway helps kids grow water confidence, master paddling skills, and discover the outdoors — step by step
BEGINNER LEVELS
LEVEL 1 - Foundations
Start your adventure! Learn basic kayaking, water safety, balance, and teamwork in a fun, supportive environment
LEVEL 2 - Launchers
Take your kayaking further! Learn stronger paddle skills, basic maneuvering, water awareness, and teamwork challenges—gaining confidence for bigger adventures
LEVEL 3 - Rescuers
Learn to watch out for each other! Build rescue skills, improve water hazard awareness, and teamwork while enjoying safe, exciting paddling adventures
IMPROVER LEVELS
LEVEL 4 - Challengers
Step up your skills! Learn to handle sit-in kayaks, improve paddling control, and take on bigger challenges safely with confidence and teamwork
LEVEL 5 - Guardians
Build leadership and responsibility! Master rescues, care for your team and equipment, and gain confidence in sit-in kayaks
INTERMEDIATE LEVELS
LEVEL 6 - Explorers
Explore new waterways! Learn gentle moving water, surf basics, tides, and spray deck skills while building confidence, safety awareness, and adventure spirit
LEVEL 7 - Adventurers
Continue the adventure. Build leadership, improve rescue skills, and safely explore new rivers and surf while supporting your team
ADVANCED LEVELS
LEVEL 8 - Junior Leaders
Step up as a Junior Leader! Plan trips, guide peers, master advanced rescues, read maps, and confidently navigate lakes, rivers, and currents
LEVEL 9 - Mentors
Adventure at the top level! Confidently navigate white water, surf, and open water while demonstrating leadership, advanced skills, and safety awareness
LEVEL 10 - Masters
Hone your paddling, decision-making, and leadership, striving to protect, guide, and inspire as you approach mastery on challenging waters and expeditions
Why AusPaddlers is awesome!
Adventure in real outdoor environments
Learn in rivers, lakes, and gentle surf—building resilience, confidence, and practical outdoor skill
Progressive Skill Development
Our 10-level pathway ensures every child improves at their own pace, from first paddle to leadership
Teamwork Over Competition
We focus on helping each other, not competing—kids learn how working together keeps everyone safe and having fun
Confidence, Leadership & Mentorship
Students mentor others in lower levels, practicing leadership and supporting their peers in a positive environment
Outdoor Water Skills & Risk Awareness
Learn to read currents, tides, and conditions, make safe decisions, and gain skills that last a lifetime
Active, Engaging Learning
Every session combines fun, physical activity, and practical skills—so kids learn while having a blast outdoors
Pulling Each Other Up
We celebrate helping and supporting others, creating a community where everyone feels safe, included, and confident
Life Skills for the Future
Resilience, responsibility, problem-solving, and collaboration—skills that extend beyond paddling into everyday life
Pathway to Future Employment
Our program develops leadership, safety, environmental understanding and outdoor skills that can lead to careers in outdoor education, outdoor leadership or environmental science/stewardship
Which Class Should I Book My Child Into?
Our classes are suitable for kids aged 8 - 18 and are split by skill level and location.
Skill levels
Beginners & Improvers (Levels 0 - 5)
Intermediates & Advanced (Levels 6 - 10)
Locations
Geelong: Barwon River at West Fyans Street Boat Ramp
Melbourne: TBC
Werribee: Werribee River, Werribee South Boat Ramp
Barwon Heads: Barwon River, Barwon River Small Boat Ramp
Anglesea: Anglesea River, Coogoorah Reserve
Please be aware that our intermediate/advanced class does not operate out of one set location, but rather runs from the best place to be on the water in the Greater Geelong area each week. This allows us to find awesome waves, rapids and all the outside adventure joy we can, to really test the paddlers skills! (Once we have paddlers working on level 5/6 in Melbourne/Werribee we will also open up an intermediate/advanced class in the Melbourne/Werribee area).
Melbourne
Meeting Spot: TBC
Term 1 Beginners & Improvers Class times:
Sundays: 1:30 - 3pm, February 8 - March 29, ages 8 - 16
Werribee
Meeting Spot: TBC
Term 1 Beginners & Improvers Class times:
Sundays: 11:00am - 12:30pm, February 8 - March 29, ages 8 - 16
Greater Geelong - Intermediates & Advanced Class
Meeting Spot: TBC Weekly
Term 1 Intermediates & Advanced Class times:
Tuesdays: 4:30 - 6pm, February 3 - March 24, ages up to 18
Please be aware that your child must be invited to join this class as certain skill levels are required to attend.
Adventure in Action
See our paddlers in action — building skills, supporting each other, and having heaps of fun on the water
School Holiday Adventures
Unforgettable holiday experiences — from complete beginner experiences to exciting expeditions. Kids can progress (or start) their Auspaddlers levels, explore new waterways, and have heaps of on the water fun.
Key Features
Beginner friendly programs - no experience needed
Fun single session to multiday options
Level up during the holidays
New exciting locations to explore
Teamwork, adventure and lasting friendships
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when my child passes a level?
When a new level is reached their instructor will sign that level off in their AusPaddlers Booklet. They will also receive a badge celebrating their achievement. They also unlock the next level, with new skills, challenges, and responsibilities.
How do the sign off booklets and badges work?
Every level has a sign off page in the AusPaddlers booklets that recognizes the skills learned, once all the skills for a level have been signed off by their instructor the paddler will be awarded that level's badge. Kids can collect them as they progress through the 10-level pathway.
How are kids kept safe on the water?
All sessions are run by experienced instructors, who have first aid qualifications and working with children checks. All participants wear PFDs (lifejackets) while on the water and other safety equipment as needed. All AusPaddlers are taught to recognize hazards and stay safe in real outdoor environments.
Do parents/guardians need to stay during the session?
We do not require parents or guardians to stay during the sessions, however you are welcome to stay and watch if you would like to.
What happens in bad weather?
Safety always comes first. Sessions may be modified, rescheduled, or moved to sheltered locations to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
How are levels assessed?
Instructors observe skill mastery during sessions and tick off the skills in each child's AusPaddlers booklet once they are at the required standard. Once all the level skills are ticked off their instructor will award your child that level badge.
Do all ages progress at the same pace?
Progression depends on individual confidence, ability, and age. Younger kids may take longer to master certain skills, while teens may advance faster.
What do we need to bring and what equipment is provided?
Kids should bring comfortable clothing, water shoes, hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle. All kayaks, paddles, and spray decks are provided.