Why the Noosa River suits school & sports groups
With calm, protected waters and plenty of facilities nearby, the Noosa River is the ideal spot for school and sports groups. From kayaking and stand up paddle boards to sailing boats, here’s how to make the most of this beautiful waterway with plenty of fun, safe water sports for kids of all ages and skill levels.
Safety first: Supervision, briefings, ratios, and gear
When it comes to children and water, safety comes first. Here’s how to keep the kids safe around water activities:
- Pre-activity safety briefings, covering river rules, boundaries, and basic techniques.
- Provide personal flotation devices for all participants.
- Have age-appropriate guide-to-student supervision ratios.
- Clearly defining on-water activity areas.
- Enforce a buddy system for all students.
- Maintain radio contact between instructors and on-shore staff.
- Monitor weather, tide, and winds continually.
- Schedule hydration and sun safety breaks.
- Have clear incident response and emergency procedures.
Choose your Noosa activities: Kayaking, supping, and sailing
There’s plenty of fun to be had on the waters of Noosa River. Here are just some of the kid friendly activities you can enjoy:
Kayaking
With no prior experience needed, kayaking can be enjoyed by kids of all ages and skill levels. Younger students and first-timers can hop in tandem kayaks for some extra stability and shared paddling while they get used to the movements. As for the older or more experienced kids, they can enjoy their freedom in single kayaks.
Hire single and tandem kayaks by the hour at Noosa Watersports.
Stand-up paddle boards (SUP)
Seeing kids go from kneeling on a SUP board to standing and paddling is really something. Even once kids gain their sea legs on a SUP, you can add extra tasks, like balancing challenges, short paddles, and paired tasks to test their skills.
Organise your SUPs through Noosa Watersports.
Sailing
If you have older kids or more experienced students in your group, taking them for a spin on a Hobie Cat can be a great way to build team bonds. Students have to work together to understand wind direction and steering, while exploring the beautiful Noosa River.
Check out our sailing boats for hire in Noosa to make it happen.
How to incorporate learning goals into water sports
We all know how good sports are for kids. Water sports, in particular, provide all the typical health and physical education outcomes, while also getting kids out of their comfort zone and socialising with their peers. Activities like kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, and sailing can also help kids learn water safety, teamwork, communication, and resilience.
By hosting them on the Noosa River, there’s the added benefit of learning about the natural environment. From the Noosa National Park to the Noosa Everglades, one of only two everglade systems in the world, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the local native species and marine life that frequent the river and surrounding waterways.
Group logistics made easy with Noosa Watersports
At Noosa Watersports, we offer a range of customisable packages to suit your needs. Hire our equipment by the hour or opt for half- or full-day packages with flexible scheduling to suit your itinerary.
With heaps of parking nearby and spaces for buses to pull up along the waterfront, organising school water sports along the Noosa River is a breeze.
What to bring and what’s provided
When you hire your kayaks, SUPs, and sailing boats through Noosa Watersports, we provide you with:
- Kayaks, boards, or boats.
- Paddles.
- Personal flotation devices.
All’s that’s left for you and your students to bring is:
- A hat.
- A sun-safe shirt.
- Water bottle.
- Reef-safe sunscreen.
- A towel.
- Spare clothes.
- Secure footwear that can get wet.
Pricing, group sizes, and booking windows
We suggest that schools and sports groups plan ahead and secure their bookings early as term dates and school holiday bookings fill up fast. While we’re more than happy to take group bookings, the number of students we can accommodate ultimately depends on equipment availability. With this in mind, we often recommend that larger groups stagger their start times and rotate activities so everyone gets a turn.
FAQs
What if the weather turns?
For safety, it’s best to have a backup plan for strong winds, rain, or storms, such as on-shore activities.
Can non-swimmers participate in water activities?
While life jackets and life vests are provided for safety, it’s important for children to have basic swimming skills to participate in these water sports.
How many students can we have per session?
Surf Life Saving Queensland recommends at least 2 supervisors per 20 children. For larger groups, we recommend staggering activities or splitting groups to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment.
Are teachers required on water?
Supervision arrangements often depend on the school, club, and children’s age or skill level. However, we suggest stationing teachers both onshore and in the water to ensure adequate supervision.
Do you cater for teams in-season?
Absolutely! We love hosting low-impact sessions focusing on recovery, mobility, and coordination for sports teams that are in-season.
Plan your safe, fun river day with Noosa Watersports
Good planning = a great excursion on the Noosa River. By choosing activities that match the group, building in time for safety briefings and breaks, and anticipating confidence levels and supervision needs, you’re sure to have an enjoyable experience for everyone, including yourself.
Get in touch with our friendly team at Noosa Watersports to check availability, discuss numbers, or lock in your water activities for your preferred dates.