Interested in Joining the Wagga Bidgee Canoe Club?  

Contact us today, to arrange a  FREE 4 Week Trial membership. Anyone can apply to become a member of the Wagga Bidgee Canoe Club and we welcome new members.  

New Paddlers

• To join the club, or arrange a trial paddle, please contact the Wagga Bidgee Canoe Club Buddy Leader Coordinator, Terry O'Meara on mothdog55@optusnet.com.au 

• Paddle NSW offer a FREE 4 Week Trial Membership to see if paddling is for you. This provides insurance cover for both you and the club while you try it out.

• Terry will buddy you up with an experienced club member, who will take you out during the 4 week trial period and teach you how to paddle and about safety on the river

• You will have access to club boats, paddles and PFD's

• After the 4 week trial period, if you wish to continue paddling, you will be required to join as a full member

Experienced Paddlers New to WBCC

• If you are comfortable paddling K1's, TK1's, skis or canoes and want to join WBCC, please contact the Wagga Bidgee Canoe Club Committee by email waggabidgeecc@gmail.com  

• You have the option to become a Full Member straight away, or to register for the Paddle NSW FREE 4 Week Trial Membership first. 

• The WBCC Committee will pair you up with an experienced member who will take you out for a paddle competency check called the WBCC Award of the Platypus (including a capsize and recovery) and give you a safety briefing of the local river and hazards.  (The fast track Award Process is only available for new members with previous paddling experience)

• You will have access to club boats, paddles and PFD's

WBCC Award of the Platypus

• Once you become a FULL Member, you will need to be signed off on the Award of the Platypus by your Buddy Leader, or another Club Member. 

• The Award of the Platypus is a training program designed to ensure you have the skills and knowledge to paddle safely on the Murrumbidgee River and surrounding waterways

• When you are a FULL Member and have attained the Award of the Platypus, full access to the Club and equipment will be granted, including;

• Hold a key to the club rooms.

• Hire Club equipment, currently $3, including boats, paddles, lifejackets and the club trailer.

• Join in club paddle events (weekly social paddles and races) and paddle independently without supervision of a Buddy leader.

• Apply for rack hire, currently $66, to store your boat (if you have one) in the club rooms.

Joining & Membership Instructions

To join the club as a Full Member or as a FREE 4 Week Trialist Member, go to Paddle Australia and create a profile. Once you have a profile and a Paddle Australia number, you will need to join Wagga Bidgee Canoe Club as either:

• a 4 Week Trialist (Free)

• Junior ($18 plus the Paddle NSW State Fee)

• Senior ($37 plus the Paddle NSW State Fee)

• Family (Same fees as above minus 30% plus Paddle NSW State Fees minus 30%)

• Single Event Membership (Fees change depending on the event, but consist of a Wagga Bidgee fee for holding the event and Paddle NSW fee for insurance)

4 Week Trialist Membership (FREE)

• Sign into Paddle Australia with your Paddle Australia Number

• Register for FREE as a Trialist Member

• Please make sure you have contacted Terry before signing up to ensure he has allocated you a Buddy Leader, so you can get use of the full 4 weeks of the free membership. 

Full Membership

Please note, getting Paddle Australia and Paddle NSW membership, is a requirement of having a WBCC membership. It provides insurance cover which enables you to  paddle in club sanctioned activities and use club boats and equipment.

• More information about membership and the insurance cover it gives you can be found here Membership - PaddleNSW

• For a guide on the steps to take to join, please go to this link New Member - PA Helpdesk. Please pay particular note of Section 2 and make sure you select the purple Club Membership tile and NOT the teal Paddle Australia Direct tile.  Likewise, do not pay any attention to Section 5 which also relates to Direct Paddle Australia membership.

• When you select the Purple Club Membership Option, it will direct you to choose a club.  Select Wagga Bidgee Canoe Club and then it will take you to the Paddle NSW and Paddle Australia membership options and fees. Membership payment is broken down into 3 fees:

  • WBCC Senior Membership $36

  • Paddle NSW Senior Membership (inc GST) $47

  • Paddle Australia Senior Membership (inc GST) $47

TOTAL - $130

Once you are a Full Member and have been signed off on the Award of the Platypus, you will be given a key to the sheds ($50 refundable key deposit). 

You will also be orientated on all things to do with accessing the club sheds and equipment. You are free to come and go as you please and to participate in all club activities.