By JO SEARLE
OUTRIGGER clubs from as far north as Capricorn Coast and as far south as Ballina recently travelled to Noosa to compete in The Laguna Bay Challenge, an ocean race regatta for six-man outrigger canoes.
Noosa Outrigger Canoe Club hosted this final race event for the South Queensland Zone 2013-14 season. Matching previous years, most clubs in the zone had representatives competing, enjoying the ocean and headland course which provides some of the most picturesque and challenging conditions of all regattas in the zone.
The weather was kind with a southerly breeze which made the main beach bay calm for the 13 kilometre short course races.
This included races for both junior and adult teams, with Noosa Senior Master Mixed crews clinching first and second in their category.
For the 22 kilometre long course from main beach, around the Noosa National Park headland and down to Sunrise Beach, the ocean offered some bumps and swell action which the experienced crews relished.
Most of the Noosa crews performed to a high standard, with the Master men in particular putting in a very good time.
Results included Master Men first, Senior Master Men second and third, Master Women fourth and Senior Master Women fifth in their respective categories.
The swell varied during the day and with low tide in the middle of the regatta, crews found getting out through the surf break challenging and getting back to shore without broaching a test of nerve and character.
Getting the junior paddlers to the start line was a particular challenge, but all clubs joined to assist Noosa OCC in escorting young competitors in canoes or IRBs safely through the shore break.
This effort resulted in the race program lagging, but as the future of the sport was there to see, the support was tremendous and the long course paddlers who raced later were happy to reduce their race distance so the program could finish at a reasonable hour.
In hosting the event, Noosa OCC focussed its priorities to promote the sport, supporting the governing body AOCRA and ensuring visiting clubs had a good time with friendly but intense competition.
By the response from clubs it seems that NOCC achieved these goals.
The food tent provided at the Laguna Challenge is regarded for the quality and variety of the food available, and once again Noosa Outrigger Social Group maintained its leading edge in both food and service.
Noosa OCC wishes to thank the Noosa Coast Guard and the Noosa Yacht Club for providing safety services for this event.
Their presence in such visible safety craft was reassuring to all competitors.
Anyone who wants to try outrigger canoeing should contact the club secretary Ann Courtnay on 0450 062 026 or at thesecnocc@hotmail.com.
Further information is also available at noosaoutriggers.com.au.
