Canyoning around Sydney?

[gertsfert]

First off, g'day all!

I'm new in these forums but a long time watcher/listener of the EEV blog and amphour.

Anyway, I thought this would be a decent place to ask seeing as Dave has featured canyoning on several blog episodes.

How would a complete newbie to canyoning get started in/around the Newcastle/Sydney area?

- What would be some good introductory trails?
- What equipment do I need (I will probably pass on the multimeter )?
- Are there any clubs that are newbie friendly?

I know this is completely unrelated to electronics, and if there is a better place for me to place this topic please let me know.

[EEVblog]

Funny you should ask that, I have a (very old and early draft) canyoning guide:
www.alternatezone.com/canyoning/files/CanyoningFAQ.pdf

Tom Brennan has tons of stuff on his site:
http://ozultimate.com/canyoning/canyon_guide.htm

There is the OzCanyons group which I am a long time member of:
groups.yahoo.com/group/OzCanyons
If you ask nicely on there, some people will offer to take out newbies provided you have the gear and take responsibility for your own actions.

TMSKP has some stuff:
http://www.tdmskp.com.au/

I used to run OzCanyons.org, but it's now defunct.

And many of the bushwalking clubs have very active canyoning groups.

Classic beginner non-abseil ones are Rocky Creek & Twister, Wollangambe, Grand canyon (reversed), Deep Pass, River Caves and some others.
Simple abseil ones are Grand Canyon, Fortress, Dalpura, Serendipity, and others.

There are commercial companies that will take you out for around $200:
http://www.high-n-wild.com.au/sumcan.html
http://www.bushsports.com.au/adventure/canyoning.html
http://www.bmac.com.au/

You can kit up for the less than the cost of one commercial canyon, if you tag along with others and don't have your own rope and lead your own trips.

Dave.