Tag Archives: Regatta

Report on Port Stephens Outrigger Changes Race 2011

Posted on by jeremy

Port Stephen’s Regatta: Changes Race,  April 30th 2011.

All week the swell and sea generated by a south bound Low Pressure cell off Qld and days of 20knot southerly wind was building.   3 – 4m !   WOW !  Around the islands here we come. Happy days.

But it was not to be. PSOCC decided to move the course inside even though conditions improved remarkably by Saturday (less 10knot & half the swell) as some support boats were not suitable for offshore (eg a wakeboard type speedboat !) and maybe a few of the crews.

Boring but still heaps fun – especially for the less experienced crews.     Along the same pattern as our Pasha Dasha regatta, PSOCC set up a 9.5km triangular course from Shoal Bay to west of Nelson Bay.     This allowed spectators and competitors to stay in touch and made race management so much easier. A format more suited to promoting our sport.

Our two mixed crews: Mammas & Pappas (married couples mostly) and the Rebels (the John West  or Heinz 57 variety ) were ready.    Jumping out of a perfectly good boat into the ocean just so you can swim around and climb into another one is irrational at best.    With the change of course some of the apprehension amongst the newbies disappeared & some ‘butterflies’ were drowned.

Even though racing in more sheltered conditions it was not without its challenges and provided invaluable experience for our 6 steerers and crews.    The rounding mark out near the channel entrance adjacent to Tomaree headland was 100m from an inspiring bit of wave action as the out going tide pushed into the swell.    Unfortunately just too far off course and heading away to be tempting!  For the 5km paddle to Nelson Bay the smart crews snuck in close around Fly Point to keep out of the tidal flow – and maybe jump onto a wave that would pop up there. (our M & P’s found out just how surprising this spot can be when a wave dumped & half filled the canoe – all captured on camera).

Based on the infinite wisdom of the coaching staff, both our crews were evenly balanced. Gradually, the true grit/mongrel of the Rebels shone through– with the help of a wave dumping on the others.        No three course meals and fluffy slippers for these units. No siree – it was just the relentless grind and grind, splash and swim, sandwich, drink and here we go again. The climb into the canoe was not too pretty in some cases and the bruise count still to complete.

Almost 4 hours of paddling sounds like damn hard work – it was, but it did not take too many ales afterwards before the tall tales started to get everyone excited for the next one……….sounds like childbirth or a knee operation ?     As with any race, and especially longer ones, the matrix of feelings / experiences would be interesting to discover. Some paddlers realised they did not like the race until got fitter while others can’t wait for more; our masterly ladies are even more inspired to train over Winter while the guys heading to Hamo are figuring on getting into  more serious (late?) work.

If nothing else, I think it was the spirit of mateship / friendship shared amongst the members as they faced their own ‘demons’ that makes this sport a winner. Well done to everyone.

Lastly, big thankyou to Hirecraft Marine in Toronto for loaning us one of the support boats and to our newest member Joe Bidwell and Kelly’s brother, Greg, for manning this boat.

Steve

 

Cronulla regatta 2011

Posted on by jeremy

“the Crocs beat the Jocks”!

After missing the start by a few boat lengths and trailing all the way it took a determined gut busting burst of blinding speed by the Grand Masters Mixed team to pass the Masters Women’s crew 400m from the finish to take out first place in GM Mixed.  The ladies =  possible 2nd in Masters Women. Ouch!!

 

Earlier in the day 3 of our juniors joined in with Five Islands in the 4km course. The leg of the course pushing directly into a +20knot breeze almost stopped the canoe but this did not dampen the fun…..still plenty “playful / talkative” afterwards…..especially Teal ! Rod had his first race as a member of Five Islands Novice crew – did a great job.

 

Our 2 Men’s long course crews did not quite happen.  Four of the paddlers missed the start when they were delayed + 1 hour by a big traffic jam at Somersby on the F3.  A trailer “dog” supporting a very  very large concrete beam took off over the embankment during a night time delivery and it was late in the afternoon before a couple of large cranes cleared the mess. One combination team with 6 of the guys who did make it had a very interesting time battling the chop/breeze and the short surfing experience approaching the bottom turning mark with another OC6 trying to climb on board. A couple of times Chris had Grant give a short bit of assistance with the steering while  Matty Cook’s christening in Seat #1 proved a memorable  second race…..

 

.,……good job, well done everyone

 

Stephen Dawes

 

Minutes from 2-11-10 committee meeting

Posted on by jeremy

We got a lot covered. Key items:

  • Bunnings BBQ will be going ahead on the 18th of Dec
  • Pasha Dasha Regatta on January 23rd will be announced via AOCRA soon
  • School kids paddling project is going well except for being washed once
  • The committee reviewed all the planning documents and will update those soon.

NLMOCC meeting minutes – 2-11-10

Port Macquarie Regatta Report

Posted on by craig
Port Macquarie Regatta - In support against violence

Port Macquarie Regatta - Supporting White Ribbon Day - Speaking out against violence towards women

A great first regatta for NLMOCC!  Saturday saw the state titles for OC1/2 in very heavy ocean conditions.  Representing the club was Richard Thomson and Kathy Spong in the OC2 mixed senior masters category, Steve Dawes and Luke Evans in the open men’s OC2 and Nathan Evan in the open men’s OC1 division. This event was the first time both Luke and Kathy experienced outside conditions in an OC2  and it’s obvious they faired quite well as the mixed crew of Richard and Kathy took out gold and Luke and Steve came home with a silver.  It was also a great experience for Nathan who used the event to further build his skills in a category that has some of the sport’s most elite athletes.

With heavy ocean conditions persisting on Sunday, all OC6 events were held in the calmer waters of the Hastings River mouth.  The day also saw the event co-inside with the launch of white ribbon day which aims to raise awareness to eliminate violence against women. All NLMOCC paddlers were happy to support the cause by wearing a white ribbon or wrist band on the day.

The OC6 program saw men’s, women’s and mixed categories complete two separate 6km races with the aggregate times determining the final place getters.  After Matt Evans snapped a paddle in the opening stanza of the first race and with a crew reshuffle, the men’s team performed stronger in their second race of the day. Whilst at the presentations it was announced they had missed a podium finish, as we go to press the final placings are under review and the crew are hopeful of securing the bronze medal position, coming in behind a dominant Coffs Coast crew and the silverbacks from Sydney OCCI.

The mixed crew performed strongly and consistently, securing a second place in both 6km preliminary races and returned home with a firm grip on a silver medal.
The final event of the day was the open mixed challenge with the club submitting two crews for the 8.5km event.   Two laps of a course including crossing the river mouth in some sloppy conditions saw one NLMOCC crew cross the finish line in 5th and the other in 11th.

The first regatta for the club was a great launching pad for what will shape up as a very competitive season for our new club.  The next regatta is on the 31st of January in Sydney.