State outrigger titles held at Patonga
The State Titles for racing outrigger canoes was held at Patonga on Saturday, April 9.
Central Coast Outrigger Canoe Club hosted the championship contested in the open water of Broken Bay in OC6 six-person outrigger canoes.
"This event brought together all the best paddlers from clubs around the state," said club member Ms Debbie Sunartha.
"After the horrendous weather and flooding of previous weeks and the hundreds of tons of debris and timber washed up on Patonga beach, it was thought impossible to hold this championship regatta.
"Our Council must be congratulated for completing the mammoth task of cleaning up the local beaches, especially Patonga with such expedition."
She also thanked the Clean 4 Shore team for its efforts to clear the waterways.'
"The regatta started with the Under-12 youngsters racing in Brisk Bay, protected from the moderate conditions of Broken Bay.
"The Novices were next followed by the more experienced short and long course crews who ventured out into the ocean conditions of Broken Bay.
"With the help from Te Ika Nui Outrigger Canoe club, Marine Rescue, Police Rescue and Ocean Beach Surf Club, all with their safety support vessels, the outrigger canoes raced in the moderate conditions.
"The ocean swell was between two and three metres, rising and breaking around our magnificent Lion Island.
"The racing finished with the men's long course of 18 kilometres with a long downwind leg to test the skill and stamina of the crews.
"On Saturday night after racing, the clubs had their medal presentation at the hotel.
"A club regatta was held on Sunday for the one and two person small craft outrigger canoes over similar courses and conditions with podium finishes hotly contested.
"This Championship regatta was a great success and enjoyed by competitors and spectators."
The National Championship will be held at Port Stephens at the end of May to end the season racing calendar for 2022.
Media release, 12 Apr 2022
John Iliffe, CCOCC