Australia's first canyoning festival is being hosted in the Blue Mountains this week (Nov 8-10).
Those attending the festival at Mount Wilson this Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be able to attend workshops and presentations about every aspect of canyoning, peruse a canyoning photo exhibition, sample commercial stalls, win prizes from sponsors and enjoy social evenings with fellow canyoners.
The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area boasts hundreds of stunning canyons and is the canyoning capital of Australia. These canyons attract locals and visitors from around the world. The Blue Mountains are also home to several commercial canyoning companies and businesses that sell canyoning gear.
The festival has been organised by the NSW Canyoning Association.The association was formed last year to give the growing canyoning community an official voice and help promote safe and environmentally sustainable canyoning.
The acting president of the association, Damon Anderson, said: "Canyoning is a fast-growing sport and has been part of the Blue Mountains adventure scene for the last 50 years. We thought it was time to bring people together to celebrate the sport and share adventures and skills sets with like-mined people - to celebrate all things canyoning."
Subjects that will be covered at the festival include remote area first aid, canyon rigging, self-rescue, how to be a canyon guide, navigation and mechanical rescue techniques. There will also be talks about plants and animals, geology, roping physics, canyon rescues, historical interpretations, canyoning photography and canyoning in Tasmania.
Local businesses that are supporting the festival include Blue Mountains Adventure Company, Adventure Base, High 'N' Wild, Blue Mountains Climbing School, Bendigo Bank, Lotsafreshair, Summit Gear and Ropelab.
Go to www.nswcanyoning.org.au to see the full festival timetable and purchase tickets.
Tickets can also be purchased at the festival site at Mt Wilson Community Hall on the day ($40 for association members, $50 for non-members).
The canyoning association's annual general meeting will be part of the festival on Sunday.
