The Great Race

The longest  Outrigger race in the World starts in Tahiti today. If you would like to read about the race Click Here or on the great race under the links section.

It is a Regatta devoted to a single race that lasts for 3 days. Teams are 6 people only no substitutions so each person has to paddle the entire 130km between the Island of French Polynesia. There is an article about last years race Here.

This year they have set up a English website as well check out http://outriggercanoe.hawaikinuivaa.pf/. This is definitely the pinnacle of our sport at the moment.

Paddle to The Pub

On Saturday November 7th the (annual) Paddle to the Pub is happening. This will culminate in our end of year presentations.

The Paddle to the Pub is a great event that happens annually (Except for last year).  Due to the large mudflats at bushland beach we need to turn up there around hightide.  The paddle takes about 2 hours and hightide is about 12:51. This means we need to leave the strand about 9:00 am. Once we get to Bushland beach we will de rig the canoes and load them onto the trailer.  Then get changed and head to the Pub for a wonderful BBQ lunch that will be ready about 1:30.  The lunch will cost $25 per person and is payable by the 2nd of November.  There is children’s pricing. The club needs to know if you are going so we can tell the bushland beach pub. If you want to come to the lunch and presentations write to Lissa.

Then a couple of your favourite beverages and we’ll all be ready for presentations.  There are only 18 seats for the paddle and spots are filling up fast.  Please write to Lissa if you want to paddle or if you have any questions about the lunch.

Cape To Cape Challenge 2009

Coral Sea OCC is hosting an epic OC1/2/ski race in Townsville November 28th. Cape Cleveland to Cape Palleranda 25km Downwind race!!!!

We’ve sourced a large barge from the army for FREE to take paddlers out to Cape Cleveland, drop paddlers off and then paddle home to Cape Palleranda. It’s only for the experienced paddlers up to the challenge of a 25km open water paddle.

We’ve also got a 8km short course from the Tobruk Pool, Strand to Palleranda. It will have a staggered start so both courses will finish close together.

There’ll BBQ on the beach afterwards.

Lian In the Spotlight

Lian has made it into the local Paper.

The Townsville Bulletin has run a story featuring Lian and Kylie Muldoon and their trip to Hawaii for the Na Wahine O Ke Kai Changeover race from Molokai to Maui.

Townsville Bulletin Story Here.

Pdf Here for when the story disappears from Townsville Bulletin Website

Achieve Corporate Challenge

The Achieve Corporate Outrigger Challenge is on again this year. Teams have already started training and getting some experience with the canoes and meeting the Maggie Members. Last year we had nearly 30 teams and everyone had a great day of racing with informal presentations and drinks afterwards. Check out http://www.achievegroup.com.au/corpday.asp for photo’s of last years event.

Racing this year will start from the beach race out around a buoy and then back to the beach. The event will be on the 18th of October and will hopefully be all finished by mid afternoon. Each team will have to complete at least two training sessions to compete.

If you are interested in entering a team its not too late  Contact  Rachel from Achieve on 4772 3000

Been a while

Well Its been a while since a video was put up so here is a video with highlights from the Mens Oc1 race in Mission recently.

Can anyone spot Tom. Are we sure he actually went in the race??

Welcome Coach Contarino

Below is a message from our outgoing coach.  I know everyone appreciates what an amazing Job Mel has done over the last couple of years and we are all very grateful.  Now she can take a bit of a rest from the responsibilities of coaching. Just turn up and paddle till she spews.

From Mel:

As you know (or do now) Anthony has been elected as the coach.  This will be great for the club, the committee and of course the people on the water!!.   We also have some new people involved in the committee so this will make for a fantastic year both on and off the water.   Give them the support they need to run the club and keep us on the water.

I have been lucky enough be have been paddling for five seasons, and spent them with Maggie.  I have been placed on the committee for five years as well (social and fundraising, secretary and coach) – so I think it is time for me to give it a rest.  For me now I get to come and paddle and learn some more.  So now that I don’t have an excuse for not paddling at training, you better watch your seats – that goes for the boys as well – noone is safe!!  hahaha (yes you can stop laughing now – I know I am very unfit).

For the last two years I have been ‘coach’ – giving what I can of my pretty ‘green’ paddling career!!  I just wanted to say thank you to everyone who has come to a session on the water.  Believe me when I say that I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching, and I have learnt a lot – on the water and off the water.  We have had many achievements over the last two years – too many to write in this email, and we will definitely build again on this for the new coming season.  Yes there has been frustrations and at times me raising my voice, but that goes hand in hand with the position.  You have all taught me more then you know over this time, and I have nothing but smiles when reminiscing about my coach cranky days!!!

Just a reminder that this email is now Anthony’s – he will be taking over all coaching duties.  For us to continue as a club I hope you will join me in respecting and supporting him in this tough role.   So welcome Anthony!!

Looking forward to paddling with you!

Message from El Presidente

I’d like to thank everyone that was at the AGM this weekend.

I really do believe that everyone should have their say in where the club is heading.

I’d also like to thank the outgoing committee for the efforts over the year.  On the whole we had a successful year of which we can all be proud.  Special thanks to Mel for her dedication in the coaching role – your efforts do not go unrecognised!

Please join me in welcoming the new Committee:

President: Jim Hampton

Vice President: Jenny De Witt

Treasurer: Chris Rockemer

Secretary: Jo Crerar

Head Coach: Anthony Contarino

Registrar and T-shirts: Alexis Clifford

Equipment Officer:  Kellie Northy

Grants Officer: Lewis Anderson

Social and Fund Raising Officer – Narelle Sheardown and Leesa Pether  ***It was asked that 2 people be allowed to share this position.  There were no objections.

Congratulations to the committee of which I hope you will all support in the coming year.

I’m already getting excited with the coming racing year & hopefully we can be as successful, if not more!

See you on the water,

Jim

Wai Puhi Races 2009

Hi all,
It was decided at the NQZ General meeting that there will be only 3 races this season – but they’re going to be big ones.

It will start with the Marlin Coast Challenge in Port Douglas. From all accounts this race last year was very well organised with amazing racing conditions and it’s undoubtedly going to be bigger and better this year. Paddlers coming so far are Lisa Curry and Linda Dow; Chris Maynard; Lucas Gamble & Todd Cohen; Andy Wheatley plus lots of local paddlers. There’s also a free OC1/2 clinic with Lisa and Chris the next morning.

Details are:
Race date: October 10th
Start thinking about your team combos for each leg…. there’s 2 short legs and 2 long legs
Ellis to Wangetti 11.5km
Wangetti to Oak 8.0km
Oak to Sth End 4MB 10.5km
4MB to Finish 5.0km
Race Co-ordinator: Faye Lilley Email: faye@huntdesign.com.au Mob: 0422 531 897
Website: http://www.kanuculture.com/marlincoastchallenge

The two other races will be one in Mackay and the other in Townsville. I’m assuming the Mackay one will be a changover from Mackay Harbour to Eimeo Beach again and Coral Sea will be hosting an event in Townsville.

They are also looking for a series co-ordinator. Contact Tania @ moohinpc@bigpond.com if you’re interested.

Amazing News

Maggie Island Open Women won their division for 2009.

Congratulations to our coach Mel, this couldn’t have been possible without you taking on this arduous role.

To any of the ladies in our club  who have steered or paddled in this division in any of our races at any of this years regattas, well done.

A very big THANK YOU to the support we enjoy from our club members and family on the beach who never fail to cheer us on, you are  the  “Spirit of Maggie”.

This is not only a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the women who have paddled in this division, but to Maggie as a club  – the committee who give their time to run it and to all the members who religiously come to training and paddle amongst us.