Outriggers successful at Rarotonga (Cook Islands)

Noosa paddlers ended the year on a high after success at Rarotonga, where paddlers from the Cook Islands, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Tahiti, & Canada met to compete in seven days of exciting outrigging.

The first race for Noosa paddlers was the OC6 (six-man canoe) over a distance of 12km, which saw Noosa’s Golden Masters Men’s team (60-70 years) coming home first in their age group securing a gold medal and the inaugural Anuenue Iron Trophy, donated by the Hawaiian paddlers for Golden Master teams.

Race 3 of the same event had Noosa paddlers joining teams from other Australian clubs and competing in the Senior Master Mixed 12km event, finishing strongly to take the bronze medal.

The beautiful & clear waters of Muri Beach lagoon was the venue for the next day’s sprint racing over 500 metres. Carrying on a strong tradition within the Noosa Club the Noosa, the Noosa Golden Masters Men’s team won gold in their age division after a very close race with a strong NZ team, crossing the line less than 1 second ahead.

Again Noosa paddlers joined up with other Australian paddlers to contest the Senior Masters Mixed 500m event, coming home third in the final, securing another Bronze medal.

The big event on the calendar was the Round Raro Relay over a distance of 36km. This race was contested by the Noosa Senior Master Team of nine paddlers, and involved two or three paddlers ‘changing’ positions in the boat every 20 minutes.

The change involves fresh paddlers jumping in the water from a support boat, catching the team canoe as it races past, and replacing paddlers who exit the canoe on the other side thus providing a continual flow of strong paddlers.

Once again, the Noosa Men’s team finished extremely well crossing the line in second position and securing a silver medal.

During a day off between races, the Noosa team visited the local junior school, which had recently lost class rooms and learning material in a fire. The Noosa team donated over $1000 worth of new books for the school and were thanked with a traditional dancing and singing ceremony by the children.

Noosa teams are now back in training for the remainder of the 2013-2014 season, including the upcoming OC6 National Sprint Titles (World Qualifiers) at Lake Kawana from 31 Jan – 2nd Feb 2014.

If you are interested in joining NOCC or trying paddling contact Craig Harris at thesecnocc@hotmail.com or on 5455 5646