Upcoming Events and Pool Nights

VUCC runs instruction courses and paddling trips, and during the university year has a weekly pool session where members can socialise, play around, practice their paddling skills and learn new skills.

Unless otherwise stated local day trips listed below may occur on either Saturday or Sunday depending on river and weather conditions, availability of instructors and the preferences of participants.

Local river trips generally cost around $15 for transport (payable to the driver of the car you are in) and $5 - $10 for hire of (if required).

Upcoming Events

Local Beginner / Intermediate trips are held on 1st Weekend of Each Month.

Pool Night

Who: Open to anyone
What to do: Socialise, play around, practice your paddling skills, or get instruction
When: Every Thursday, 8:30pm - 10:00pm
Where: Freyberg Pool, Oriental Parade
Cost: Pool entry (+ $4 for non-members)

What You Need to Bring for a River Trip

If this is going to be your first time on a river here are some details on what you need to bring with you.

• Warm clothes for the river. If you own (or can borrow) a wetsuit bring that. Otherwise several layers of polypropolyne clothing (or woollen/other material with good thermal properties -- cotton is not suitable) for both your top and bottom halves. Woollen socks are a good idea as well.
• Shoes or sandals that you can wear in your boat and that you don't mind getting wet. They also need to stay on your feet if you end up swimming (ie: jandals are no good!)
• A light windproof/showerproof layer (ie: cycling jacket). The club has some that we can lend out, but most likely not enough for everyone, so bring what ever you have and we'll decide whether it is suitable or not.
• Food for before, during and/or after the trip. Chocolate bars are especially good on the river if you're getting cold and need a quick energy lift!
• Sunscreen
• Money for the obligatory cafe stop on the way to/from the river and to pay gear hire and transport.

What You Need for a Weekend (or Longer) Trip

Longer trips might involve camping. So in addition to the above you might need a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mattress, pillow case (you can stuff it full of clothes to make a pillow and it takes up less room in the car), plate, bowl, cup, knife, fork, spoon, toiletries, etc. Also make sure you have warm clothes for off the river as well as on and a raincoat is a good idea! If in doubt, ask the trip organiser. Also, ask if you don't have some of those items -- if you give them enough notice it might be possible to arrange a loan of items you can't get yourself.

Here are some additional (possibly helpful!) hints on how to get the most enjoyment out of a VUCC trip.

Certain events on previous VUCC trips have resulted in new expressions being added to the English language. To help you understand these should you encounter them on a trip, consult the VUCC Vocabulary Extender.