By JO SEARLE
NOOSA Outrigger Canoe Club members have been paddling hard to clinch some great wins. In May, teams contested the Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing Association (AOCRA) Marathon National Titles at Maroochydore, and recently teams contested the Great Barrier Reef Ocean Challenge.
The AOCRA Marathon Nationals comprised OC6 short and long course races.
In the short course, two Noosa teams competed with the novice women taking gold in a time of 1.08.56, while the Senior Master Men finishing in 1 hour 3 minutes 5 seconds to win the silver medal in their category.
In the long course six Noosa teams competed.
The Master Women won silver in a time of 1.37.42 and were sixth overall to finish the women’s race, while the Senior Master Women won bronze in their category, in a time of 1.46.56.
The Master Men competed in a strong field finishing the men’s long course in 2.00.08 to place fourth in their category. The Senior Master Men finished in 2.03.04 and Senior Master Men 2 in 2.05.29 to finish fourth and fifth respectively in their categories. The Golden Master Men clinched silver in their category in a time of 2.19.34. All in all a great National for NOCC, with the club placing second overall on points.
Earlier this month, NOCC paddlers headed off to the Great Barrier Reef Ocean Challenge, which is the longest outrigger iron race in Australia. The 45 kilometre course is from Yorkey’s Knob to Port Douglas.
For the first time a Noosa paddler chose to contest the race as an individual. Des Mabbott won the Golden Masters OC1 division in a time of 3.55.45, leading the way 15 minutes ahead of the next OC1 finisher.
Lots of credit to the organising club, Hekill of Yorkey’s Knob, who under testing conditions provided sufficient safety coverage on the water for the 92 craft competing.
While it is not currently racing season for the South Queensland Zone, Noosa paddlers are making the most of racing opportunities further afield, including the upcoming Brisbane River Race and a marathon change-over race in Hawaii.
For more information about NOCC activities and ‘come and try’ opportunities, go to www.noosaoutriggers.com.au.
