Sport
2 March, 2023
Bribie Island outriggers preparing to paddle it out
THE Bribie Island Mahalo Outrigger Canoe Club are preparing for the second Small Craft Regatta in the South Queensland AOCRA series, which will be held at Crest Park, Bellara.
Racing up and down the Bribie passage, the expected 150 competitors will compete in single, doubles and triples events across both short and long courses.
Bribie Island Mahalo Outrigger Canoe Club president Helen Rowe said there are four regattas in this series – the first was held at Broadbeach in early February.
Helen said the longest race is this Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing Association series is 12km and goes just off the Island and back.
The third event in the series will be held in Coffs Harbour before the finals in May at Rainbow Beach.
The Bribie Island Mahalo Outrigger Canoe Club currently have 72 members and just celebrated their sixth birthday.
“The club has grown enormously,” Helen said.
“The youngest are mid 20s and the oldest are mid 70s.
“It’s the sort of sport you can start when you’re a kid and just keep doing it. Or start when your 60 and be world champion when your 70. It’s crazy!”
Outrigger canoeing originated in the South Pacific Islands, where it was used as a means of travel, fishing and exploration.
It wasn’t recognised as a sport until the mid 1900s.
“There’s a lot of culture and customs when it comes to outrigging,” Helen said.
“You treat the canoe with respect, so no swearing in the boat, no shouting in the boat and you always get in on one particular side. When you park it on the beach it’s always reversed in in case you need to make a quick getaway!”
Helen said all of their canoes also have Tahitian, Polynesian and Hawaiian names.
The Bribie Mahalo Outrigger social crew meet two or three times a week for a morning paddle, which is often followed by a swim at the beach and coffee.
On the other hand, the race crew train three days and week, with hour-long training sessions.
“We aim for 10km when we go out.”
Helen moved to Bribie Island from Melbourne in August of 2018 and joined the outriggers club in September 2018 and said she has fallen in the love with the sport.
“I had heard of the sport, but in Melbourne no one really does anything in the winter.
“We’ve always loved the water and the club brings together a fabulous bunch of people.”
The second event in the South Queensland Zone AOCRA will be held at Crest Park on Saturday March 4.
Spectators are welcome to attend and enjoy the outrigging action, raffles and a BBQ provided by Dragons Boat Pumicestone.
