Despite not wearing football boots, there are three sports in this town that are going gang busters.
The big three, are pickleball, outrigger canoe racing and Shotokan karate.
But perhaps a major plus is the fact that you can be still going strong at age 40. And as we sometimes say of other people, with all due respect, ‘age shall not weary them’.
Figures from America tell us that there are now some five million playing pickleball and that the centre for the sport is East Napier Collier County. This now plays host to the big event the American Open Championship.
In Australia, it is now definitely the fastest growing sport in the Commonwealth, so much so that Tennis Australia has now began to sit up and take note. In a recent press release Tennis Australia has a radical plan to get more Australians playing the game. In America tennis legends John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Michael Chang and Andy Roddick will compete in an exhibition Pickleball tournament with a $1 million prize money.
Tennis Australia plans to capitalise on the success of America’s fastest growing sport by introducing it at tennis clubs around the country.
This controversial initiative, which will also combat the threat posed by the modified version of tennis, has been discussed at TA headquarters since the start of the year, and may ruffle the feathers of purists. One initiative is aimed at keeping ageing players in the sport, given that the court size is a lot smaller than a tennis court.
“There are a number of clubs throughout Australia, who based on some members or word of mouth, want to play pickleball,” TA chief tennis officer Tom Lerner said.
“But there’s also been a substantial increase in pickleball, so both sports have really grown significantly through that period. I think it’s a great example of how they can both grow and co-exist.”
Also from Florida USA, Stuart Duguid Vice President of International Management Group said, “ I can definitely see more ATP and WTA players trying their hand at pickleball.”
To be aware that the future, and indeed the relationship of both sport is being discussed in what appears to be an open minded and level headed manner, at the highest level, is indeed encouraging for all concerned, in particular for those in our community.
Karate
Members of our local Karate Noosa, Shotokan Club are very excited. In early February the club will have the privilege to play host to the World Chief Instructor of World Shotokan Karate, Hitoshi Kasuya, 9th Dan.
‘’He is the highest-level international instructor in the world and during his visit he will be conducting a two-day seminar right here in Noosa,” said Noosa Chief Instructor Bryan Dukas, 6th Dan.
“After some four years of negotiating, it is finally about to happen. It was originally planned for 2020, but this was stopped by Covid. However, when the tour finally got underway a gap opened in his travel program and the rest is now history. The world’s chief instructor is about to visit our club here in Noosa.
”It is his first visit to Australia in 10 years. Now at age 74 his knowledge and experience is beyond equal.”
Apart from the physical aspects of the training, Sensei Kasuya will also address the members on the mental approach to karate. This art is not just concerned with winning medals. The traditions, discipline and history, of Japanese martial arts, known as Budo (the Way of the Warrior) is and always will be of the utmost importance.
“For us the timing could not be better,” said Sensei Dukas.
“This will be a great preparation for our club which is in training for the up-and-coming Shotokan World Titles to be held in Japan in November. Apart from the competition, two club members Rick Hislop 5th Dan and Nicole Thornton 3rd Dan will be experiencing upgrading – Rick to his 6th Dan and Nicole to her 4th Dan.”
To train and study under Hitoshi Kazuya a former world champion and member of the Japanese National Team would definitely be an experience not to be missed. Following his sojourn in Noosa, he will travel to Adelaide then Perth. His visit will be the chance of a lifetime.
He will be teaching in not only Australia, but also many countries that are members of the World Shotokan Karate Federation.
Yet again here is an example of the high standard of coaching that has become available to our athletes of the various sports, now being taught within the boundaries of Noosa.
For our three above named sports, things are certainly on the up.
For Noosa Outriggers, it’s the purchase of a new six-man outrigger canoe,($30,000). For that sport with the funny name, pickleball, it’s the news that Tennis Australia will be definitely working closer with them in the future. For Karate Noosa, it will be their privilege to host the visit of the world’s chief instructor for the World’s Shotokan Karate Federation.
The above are three major happenings that will surely be of great importance in the time ahead. All of which speaks volumes for the good work and solid reputation enjoyed by these clubs.
Outrigger
For the Outrigger Club, the spirit of aloha was alive and well on Saturday. Paddlers from all over Queensland participated in their Laguna Regatta. The carnival consisted of races over 8km and 16km on the bay (West Beach) and shorter races on the river for the novices.
Club spokesperson reported that the races were conducted in near perfect conditions, although the easterly swell got up to test the paddlers in the long races. The paddlers battled against choppy conditions and warm temperatures in a race that took over 1 hour 15 minutes for the fastest boat and nearly two hours for the last boat home.
On the river Noosa Recreational team took out the race against other novices. Ably skippered by veteran Paul Redfern, they were the first recreational team to ever win a race.
In the 8km races Noosa’s Novice Women’s and Masters Women’s took out the silver medals, while the men had winners in the Masters Unlimited, Platinum Men and Senior Masters Men. Time for the 8km races took on the average 40 minutes.
The 16 km race for women saw Noosa’s Golden Masters Mixed, and Women’s team take out gold. The overall winner was Coral Sea who travelled all the way from Townsville for the race. The men’s race was won overall by Mooloolaba, with team Bodo, winning their team division for Noosa: The Masters Men, and the Senior Masters Men, unlimited teams also taking out their divisions.
Aloha means mutual regard and affection and extends warmth in caring with no obligations in return. The respect that canoe paddlers have for each other and the Polynesian culture is amazing. Most teams have a strong contingent of South Sea Island People for whom canoe paddling has a strong cultural significance.
Our local outriggers is a very inclusive club, and anyone wanting to try the sport is invited to join. The club website is noosaoutriggers.com.au It has all the information.
Surf lifesaving
Big weekend for our lifesaving competitors at Maroochydore Friday and Saturday for the annual carnival, sponsored by Murphy Builders, The Summer of Surf.
Lana Rogers, now competing for Alexandra Headlands, finished second in the final of the Iron Woman.
Junior competitors from both Noosa and Sunshine Beach SLSC had a successful weekend of competition.
For Noosa, best of all was the U15 boys performing well in all events, but the greatest moment was getting five into the final of the Iron Man: with Darcy Dunnage finishing second and Charlie Harmer third. And this was from a field of 20. These results look good for Noosa’s future.
Also, great effort from three young Sunshine Beach members all making the final of the U15 iron man. Oliver Dillewaard from Sunshine finished fourth in the U17 ski and team mate, Darcy Lewis, performed well to win the U15 surf race. Then the Lewis brothers, Luke and Darcy, finished second and third in the U15 board race: and Noosa’s Gus Anderrsen and Rory McIntyre came home fifth and seventh respectively in the final.
The open section saw Carla Papa of Noosa in the board, ski and iron finals and Electra Outram also in the board and iron finals: and Jayden Morrow in the surf race final. Great performance from both clubs, in particular from the U15s.
Next weekend is going to be full on for our athletes in the sport of weightlifting and little athletics. Also Saturday 4 February at 8am start for the Noosa Seahorse Nippers.
We wish them well.
