About Us
Port Stephens Outrigger Canoe Club was established in 1995
The goal of the club is to gain enjoyment and fitness by participating in the sport of outrigging.
There are 3000 registered outrigger paddlers in Australia and the sport is practiced in more than 50 other countries.
Outrigger canoeing is considered an important part of the culture of many of the Pacific Island nations and there is a number of important traditions that all outriggers are expected to follow out of respect for it’s cultural significance. Your coach will teach you these ‘rules’.
The sport is administered by a body called AOCRA and it is worthwhile visiting their website for lots of information.
Port Stephens club is part of the of the NSW zone that constitutes about 20 clubs that run from Port Macquarie in the North to Mollymook in the south.
Regattas are held from November to April in NSW where clubs from our zone compete in races against each other. There are Age groups for men and women’s teams as well as mixed teams events. Juniors can join and compete from 10 yrs old.
Some club members like to compete whilst others prefer to paddle socially. Those paddlers that wish to compete, form teams and will train several times a week during the season.
Part of the seasons preliminary training is a 400 meter swim test and capsize drills these are done in the first couple of weeks to ensure all members can participate safely.
Initially we will ask you to sign an indemnity form to cover you for your first few sessions of paddling we then will ask that you fill out the membership forms and pay our annual fee.
The fees for this year will be $150 dollars for full membership, $130 for social members and $65 for juniors. This includes registration with AOCRA NSW and personal insurance .
Social membership is aimed at the club members who only wish to paddle once a week or less and are not intending to compete. This doesn’t exclude
Juniors are able to join and compete from 10 yrs old with age groups for under 12s, 14s, 16s and 19s.
As part of the club you will be expected to abide by the club’s code of conduct that includes: taking care of all equipment, helping out where possible and showing respect for all other members.
We have several qualified coaches with in the club that will assist all members to improve their skills and ensure that all paddling is as safe and enjoyable as possible.
Training is general held on Wednesday and Friday mornings with the main paddling day being Sunday from 6.00 am onwards. Along with this there is a social group which will be paddling Thursdays at approximately 9:15 am.
For any further information please contact Rory Milne on 0408631081 or Ray Nicholson on 0435110609