There was a good turnout by paddlers from as far as Hobart at the Inland and Melbourne Outrigger Canoe Club Regatta. Photos: Supplied.
Echuca-Moama’s Inland Outrigger Canoe Club organised and facilitated a sprint regatta on Lake Nagambie from November 30 - December 1.
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The participating southern states clubs of the Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing Association participated and enjoyed the Inland and Melbourne Outrigger Canoe Club Regatta at Lake Nagambie on the traditional lands of the Taungurung people.
Clubs from Geelong, Kia Opua (Seaholme), Western Beaches (Footscray), Torquay, Patterson Lakes and Hobart outrigger canoe clubs participated.
AOCRA president Scott Cranfield commented that, while the rain had joined us, the warmth through the atmosphere among the clubs was amazing.
The regatta centre with the marked lanes and administration building provided a great venue and protection from the wintry wet weather experienced on the Saturday.
Saturday races included men’s, women’s and mixed teams 250m sprints V’AA, OC1, OC2, and V6.
Sunday's main event, was a pursuit race for all classes with 15-minute intervals in 6km, 4km and 2km races.
Inland Outriggers had success in several events and great achievements by up-and-coming talent from our younger teamsters Ebony Pollock, Rauri Coffey and Nadia Pearn.
Kathy Long, Jenny Larcomb, Nadia Pearn, Ebony Pollock, and Elaine Hamilton, (Robyn Mandaradoni absent), scored third in the women’s 1km V6.
The following events highlight Inland Outriggers’ placings.
Pursuit Race V6 - Ruari Coffey, Elaine Hamilton, Sharkey Mark Oman, Ken Tavui, Jim Galea and Ebony Pollock – 2nd.
The pursuit race was an inspiring event, with Inland Outriggers overcoming several hurdles.
They experienced an encounter with the V6 boats of Torquay, then Western Beaches on the first turn of the 6km leg, and were later pushed into a Hobart V2.
V6 pursuit crafts queue at the starting line.
Paddlers Mark Oman and Ken Tavui, strong paddlers re-entering into paddling after several months absence from training, were able to provide extra power to the team and persevered in the challenge.
Although they came second, the inland team were deserving of a higher ranking if it were not for the encounter on turn one.
Melbourne OCC’s James Fuda declared a good day’s racing at the Nagambie Lakes Regatta Centre.
All participants enjoyed the competition and the atmosphere of the sprint racing events, with many commenting how well the race events and organisation proceeded with the marshalling efforts of inland outriggers members Yvonne Stanfield, Janine Carroll and Kristen Parkinson and canteen support from family volunteers.
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