By Tanya Steele
Warburton Primary School students made a short trip to Yarra Junction to compete with a few schools in some inter-school kayaking on the Yarra River recently.
Yering Primary School Grade 5 student Zoey and Grade 6 student Jordan teamed up with Warburton primary School and competed with other local schools Badger Creek and Chum Creek Primary on Friday 10 March.
Jordan displayed paddling prowess and came in third fastest of all the girls, although she said helping another river goer with a lost paddle may have delayed her finishing somewhat.
“I had to paddle backwards for a bit to give someone their oar,” she said.
Zoey and Jordan both really enjoyed the day and being on the river.
“There was a bit where I had to swerve a bit to get past a tree,” said Jordan.
“There are fun bits where the waters are bumpy,” said Zoey.
Yarra Division Officer and Upper Yarra Primary Schools Sports Officer Andrew Devisser who organises the event every year said it gives the kids a chance to apply their skills in a more active river environment.
The kids train in still water a few weeks prior to the event with Paddle Victoria and multiple schools attend sessions to develop water safety and skills in canoeing and kayaking.
Mr Devisser said the Yarra Junction event around eight years ago was to create a more challenging and competitive environment for the children.
“It develops their skills further for those that want to have a go,” he said.
The section of the river at Doon Reserve Yarra Junction is almost a complete loop and quite shallow, but still challenging enough for the students to test their skills.
“The good thing about Doon Reserve is that no matter where they come out, they can pretty well stand up and it’s not going to be higher than waist height,” Mr Devisser said.
“All these kids are local and the more we can upskill them and give them opportunities to participate in their own environment, give them a bit of safety knowledge, the better it is.”
