By Jim Fagan
Noosa coastal rowers want to stage their sport as an Olympic Games event on Laguna Bay in 2032.
They launched their bid on Sunday at the Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club and one enthusiastic oarsman dipping the oars and trying the sport for the first time was Deputy Mayor and supporter Frank Wilkie.
Organiser Peter Watson admits the bid is “ambitious” as coastal rowing still has to be recognised by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) for inclusion in the Olympics and Queensland still has to get the nod as world host for the 2032 Games.
He has no doubt, however, that it will happen.
Peter is secretary of the Coastal Rowing Association and Touring Australia and told Noosa Today the IOC (International Olympic Committee has already flagged that coastal rowing will be included in the Los Angeles Games in 2028.
“This means it will be in the 2032 Games.
“Also, we’ll know in July if Queensland has the Olympics. So far, everything I’ve heard is positive.”
Coastal rowing, as the name suggests, is rowing at sea with boats a bit more sturdy than river racing shells. It has been popular in Europe for more than 15 years but it is in its infancy in Australia.
“It’s an exciting sport,” said Peter. “Rowing Australia is now taking a real interest and the sport is starting to expand.
“We’re hoping the inaugural Australia Coastal Rowing Championships will be held here in August and this will lay the groundwork for an Olympics event in Laguna Bay.
“We’ve said we want the championships here. Noosa has all the natural set up needed. We have a north-east facing beach and the surf isn’t a big surf. It’s really just a matter of laying buoys.
“We have easy access to the airport and we can accommodate the athletes who want to come here.
“If the championships are awarded to Rowing Queensland by Rowing Australia we anticipate rowers from all over Australia will participate in the event.”
Peter said: “Setting our sights for the Olympics is exciting for us. We have a plan to promote the sport in schools as an Olympic sport because the schoolkids of today will be the athletes of tomorrow. By 2032 they will be at their prime.”
MAYOR, DEPUTY SUPPORT “IN PRINCIPLE”
Mayor Clare Stewart and Deputy Mayor Frank Wilkie have given their “in principle” support to the quest to bring coastal rowing to Laguna Bay as a completely new Olympic event.
Cr Wilkie said this after his trial run of a “few kilometres” on Noosa River with rowers Christine Bolter, Peter Watson, Wilma Williams and cox Creigh Mecham.
The only rowing he had done previously was outrigging as a member of the open men’s team that won the 1986 Hamilton Cup.
“In that sport you’ve one oar and drive forwards. In coastal rowing you face backwards and have to manage two oars and with more finesse.”
Cr Wilkie said he enjoyed the experience and had gained a deeper respect for the sport, thanks to skilful, patient and kind instruction.
Was he supporting the coastal rowers’ bid?
“Early days yet but Mayor Stewart and I have given strong in principle support of the CRA’s bid to bring a completely new Olympic sport to Noosa for the 2032 Games.”
