Getting started
Photo: Claustral Canyon by Michael Garland
Canyoning is tons of fun and a great way to experience the outdoors but it requires specific knowledge, skills and equipment to do it safely.
If you’re just starting we recommend joining an outdoor club or engaging a commercial canyon guiding company to “show you the ropes” and get you on your way.
Once you’ve got a few canyons under your belt you may like to level up your skills so you can tackle the more advanced higher risk canyons. We recommend seeking professional advanced instruction from a qualified trainer and augmenting your learning with some of the excellent technical manuals and online training now available.
Outdoors clubs
One of the best ways to get into canyoning, learn the skills you need and make some great friends is to join one of the many outdoors clubs that offer canyoning as part of their program of activities.
University of Technology Outdoor Adventure Club (UTSOAC)
utsoac.org.auUniversity of New South Wales Outdoor Club (UNSWOC)
unswoc.orgUniversity of Newcastle Mountaineering Club (NUMC)
numc.tidyhq.comSydney Bushwalking Club (SBW)
sbw.org.auMelbourne University Mountaineering Club (MUMC)
mumc.org.auUpper Blue Mountains Bushwalking Club (UBMBC)
ubmbc.org.auBrisbane Waters Outdoors Club (BWOC)
bwoc.org.auMetropolitan Speleological Society (MSS)
Sydney University Bushwalkers
subw.org.auSPAN Outdoors
spanbush.org.auNational University Caving Club (NUCC)
nucc.caves.org.auUniversity of Queensland Mountain Club (UQMC)
uqmc.orgRoyal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) Outdoors Club (ROC)
roc.org.au
Commercial operators
Many canyon guiding companies also provide instructional courses for those interested in learning from the pros. They can cater for all skill levels from those looking at getting started to those want to up skill in more advanced techniques.
Cradle Mountains Canyons
cradlemountaincanyons.com.auBlue Mountains Climbing School (BMCS)
climbingschool.com.auAustralian School of Mountaineering (ASM)
climbingadventures.com.auEagle Rock Adventures
eaglerockadventures.com.auNew Zealand Canyoning School
nzcanyoningschool.comICOpro
icopro.org
Books
Canyoning Technical Manual
canyongear.com.au/product/canyoning-technical-manualProfessional Handbook Canyoning
adventurebase.com.au/creps-professionnal-handbook-canyoning-englishCanyoning in the Pacific Northwest: A Technical Resource
amazon.com.au/Canyoning-Pacific-Northwest-Technical-Resource/dp/1736786903Rope Rescue & Rigging Field Guide
canyongear.com.au/product/rope-rescue-rigging
Online
V7 Academy
v7academy.comUNSW Outdoors Club Canyoning Training Manual
unswoc.org/wordpress/club-gear/resources (click on the Canyoning Training Manual V7 link)OZUlimate: Canyoning Near Sydney - track notes, tips, maps
ozultimate.com/canyoningMountain Equipment- The Ultimate Canyoning Gear Guide
mountainequipment.com/blogs/buyers-guides/the-ultimate-canyoning-gear-guideThe Fat Canyoners - Tech tips, reviews and trip reports
fatcanyoners.orgWanderstories - Track notes for canyons around Townsville QLD
wanderstories.space/tag/canyoningAustralian Canyoning Association - Workshop Wednesdays
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIJA3jManNW0fV3Yp1tIfOPxxtFlE5SzHHow Not 2 - Canyons
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT3L-S4Bd4KABxAvy6nZW_S9CjP-8nfmbHow Not 2 - Canyon Rope Systems
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT3L-S4Bd4KAFCn3otD8DJGNRg14eSMyoAustralian Adventure Activity - Canyoning Good Practice Guide
australianaas.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Canyoning-GPG-v1.0.pdfCanyon Magazine
canyonmag.netOver The Edge Rescue - Tech tips
overtheedgerescue.com/blogNSW National Parks and Wildlife Service: Think Before You TREK
nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/safety/bushwalking-safety
Professional qualifications
Certificate III in Outdoor Leadership - Roping
5startraining.com.au/post/certificate-iii-in-outdoor-leadership-ropingHow To Become a Canyoning Guide (& Love Going To Work Every Day)
weareexplorers.co/become-a-canyoning-guideCanyon Guides Association
canyonguidesassociation.org