What’SUP Cairns and Cairns Rowing Club forced out of the water by crocs

A growing number of crocodile encounters, including an oar munching ordeal, are forcing water-sport groups to reassess how they spend time enjoying the Far North’s waterways.

A growing number of crocodile encounters and sightings in waterways previously thought safe are forcing clubs and recreational water-sport groups to reassess where and how they spend time enjoying the Far North’s beautiful waterways.

What’SUP Cairns was forced to relocate their local paddling sessions away from the Fisheries Crossing bridge in the Goldsborough Valley after a two metre Saltwater crocodile was spotted eating ducks in the area.

Owner Ally Chadburn said she was devastated when she saw the crocodile warning sign.

“I have been paddling that area for 25 years recreationally and have been operating my business from there for seven and had never seen anything,” she said.

What'SUP owner Ally Chadburn thinks that crocodiles are only going to become more of a problem as their populations continue to grow and spread. Picture: Supplied

Ms Chadburn said that being crocwise was always front and centre for her operations but sightings in new locations were changing where she can safely operate her business.

“I always complete river checks and fly drones to check the areas we are using before I let anyone on the water,” Ms Chadburn said.

“I knew it would happen but now I am having to forfeit river locations or drive up to two hours to find a safe paddling spot which has a big impact on my business.”

Ms Chadburn thinks it is only going to get worse.

“This is the first time I've heard of so many attacks or sightings in a month and its only going to get worse.”

What'SUP has been forced to move their paddleboard sessions away from the for the first time in 7 years Goldsborough Valley after recent crocodile sightings. Picture: Supplied

“Since the culling in the 80s and 90s stopped I think the population has just grown to the point where it is unavoidable that they’ll be in new spots.”

What’SUP has also previously been forced to end operations out of Clifton Beach after a large crocodile took up residence in the area and also has had to change locations in Kuranda a number of times to further up the river to avoid populations of particularly aggressive freshwater crocodiles.

The Department of Environment and Science confirmed a crocodile sighting was reported on April 8, with DES wildlife officers conducting a detailed site inspection that did not locate the crocodile.

Further inspections will be completed this week.

“In recent years, DES has noted a steady increase in the number of crocodile sightings in Croc Country that have been reported, however this does not necessarily correlate with any actual increase in the crocodile population,” a department spokesman said.

“As urban development makes further inroads into crocodile habitat, there are naturally more people within that habitat to see crocodiles.”

DES estimates that the population of non-hatchling crocodiles in the state was between 20,000 and 30,000.

Earlier this month the Cairns Rowing club was also forced out of the water after one crew’s training session was interrupted when a large crocodile grabbed the oar of one of the rowers.

Cairns Rowing Club members Nimesh Fernando, Laurent Van de Wiele, Peter Thoren and Kylie Pedder in 2017. Picture: Anna Rogers

The club operates out of the Trinity Inlet training for regattas and getting new people out on the water through beginner sessions to experience the sport on the Cairns waterway

After the incident they have been out of the water while they reassess their safety procedures.

The club has never experienced any other interactions between their rowers and crocodiles in the past despite the known crocodile population in the inlet.

The club was contacted for comment.

Originally published as What’SUP Cairns and Cairns Rowing Club forced out of the water by crocs