RAFTING:

Activity: Students to build a raft from inner tubes, sealed PVC pipes of various sizes tied together with ropes. Students wear life jackets and use commercial paddles to navigate a short course in the closed waters at Greenough or Chapman Rivers or in open water at St Georges Beach (Sheltered beach). Which ever course is being the area is assessed prior to the activity.   

Locations
A)Greenough River: 100m paddle across the river or a short course near sand-bar Area.  Students require transport to this area.  

B)St Georges Beach: 200m long x 50m deep area marked by bouys 

C)Pages Beach: 200m long x 50m deep area marked by bouys

Participation: Maximum of 30 students – (Groups of 5-6 if possible)

Safety Procedures:

• GCS can provide two qualified Surf Rescue staff. Schools to provide 1:10 supervision for students.
• GCS will provide Qualified Senior First Aid personnel on site.
• High quality life jackets are fitted to each student.
• Supervisors sited at strategic points along the river/beach during the activity.
• Supervisors to carry “throw tubes” to tow students to the bank if needed.
• There will always be at least one inner tube per student on each raft.
• Dinghy used at Greenough River for rescues if requested.
• Camp School vehicle with mobile phone and emergency numbers to be taken to the venue

Risk Assessment: Rafting site will be assessed for safety prior to each activity.

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DRAGON BOATING:

Activity: Sponsored by the Geraldton Yacht Club, students learn to paddle Dragon Boats and compete in a series of short races in the closed waters near Geraldton Harbour. All students wear life jackets. This activity is an External Provider activity run by the Commodore of the Geraldton Yacht Club. Schools need to allow time for booking forms to be completed.

Location: Front Beach, Geraldton Harbour. Students require transport to this activity.

Participation: Maximum of 48 students Yr 4 and up. Max 16 students and two school staff per boat..

Safety Procedures:

• Camp School can provide three Surf Rescue staff to cover 48 student participants, one per 16 students. Schools to provide 1:16 supervision in the boat.
• GCS will provide personnel with at least one Senior First Aid Certificate
• All students wear life jackets. Students are instructed in correct fitting and safety procedures.
• Dragon Boats do not sink if capsized. Students are never more than 200m from landing points.
• Rescue craft with "lifesaving tube"that can be thrown or swum to a student, supports each group.
• Students to stay with their Dragon Boat if capsized and hold on to the sides.
• Other Dragon Boats to keep clear of capsize area.
• Rescue craft to ferry injured or distressed students to shore.
• GSC vehicle, dingy, phone, emergency numbers and First Aid kit at venue.

Risk Assessment:

• Weather conditions and safety of beach area assessed prior to each activity.
• Activity may be cancelled or postponed

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SAND-BOARDING

Activity: Geraldton camp School can provide 20 sandboards free of charge to visiting school.

Students will use shaped boards 1m long and 30cm wide to slide down sand hills graduating in size from 10m to 70m long. Students may stand on boards (with Teacher-in-Charge permission) in a surfing position or sit as in tobogganing.  

Location: South Gates Beach, Geraldton. Students require transport to the South Gates Beach carpark (seven km from Geraldton PO) and walk 200m along beach to the sandboarding site. Students are supervised away from the ocean nearby

Participation: Up to 40 students of all ages and abilities.

Safety Procedures:

• Students are coached in sandboarding skills – how to stand, sit, fall, stop, slow down, keep balance
• Students can use small, medium, or larger dunes to sandboard
• Drinks and eye treatment will be available for clients.
• Senior First Aid personnel, medical kit, phone and support vehicle present throughout the activity.

Risk Assessment:

• This activity may be cancelled or postponed when considered too windy to prevent eye damage
• The site will be assessed to ensure a ‘soft fall’ area is at the bottom of dunes to be used
• Unfortunatley there is a risk of broken glass, need to check area first

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 BICYCLE RIDE

Activity: GCS provide 28 maintain various sized bicycles for use on the 3 km Bicycle Path from the GCS to the Batavia Marina and return. Can be extended along gravel path to the Chapman River

Location: The Bicycle Path runs along Champion Bay and parallel to Chapman Rd and is not used by vehicles. Students will have to use a side road for 500m to the start of the Bicycle Path.

Participation: Maximum of 28 students. A minimum of 2 teachers required for even small groups.

Safety Procedures:

• Staff assessment of student abilities is crucial.
• Students will be given Road Wise and Safety training on GCS oval before departure.
• All students must wear helmets.
• Students are not to race each other at any time unless directed by the GCS staff.
• One staff member is to lead the group, another to tail. Students must stay between staff members.
• GCS will provide a support vehicle, mob. Phone, Senior First Aide and Emergency numbers on trip.
• GCS staff and students will check bike safety before departure. Any bike faults to be reported to GCS staff.

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