OUTRIGGERS CONVERGE ON COOMERA LAKE FOR SPRINT NATIONALS
Outrigger Canoe, January 20: The cream of Australia's outrigger paddlers will be joined by the rising stars of the sport and the golden oldies when they converge on Coomera Lake Regatta Waters at Oxenford on the Gold Coast on February 4, 5 and 6 for the National Outrigger Sprint Titles.
The event will be hosted by the Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing Association (AOCRA) South Queensland Zone in conjunction with the newly formed AOCRA National Junior Development Committee.
All proceeds from the three-day event will go towards funding initiatives and programs to kick start the growth of the junior development in Australia.
At the top end of the elite scale will be the Gold Coast's outstanding paddle king Travis Grant fresh from his back-to-back wins at the AOCRA Marathon Championships in Coffs Harbour last month.
Grant was untouchable in taking out the OC1 25km title from Coffs Harbour to Woolgoolga before adding the 12km Stand Up Paddle event from Coffs Harbour to Sawtell.
The outstanding young waterman will contest this weekend's Doctor Festival of Paddle Sports in WA, including the 27.5km race from Rottnest Island to Cottesloe, paddling an OC1.
"This weekend is the start of what is going to be a busy year of paddling and the perfect tune up for the National Outrigger Sprint Titles," said Grant.
"I will also do a Stand Up Paddle Race on Australia Day and conduct a clinic for all the youngsters.
"It will then be back to the Gold Coast to prepare for the Sprint Nationals."
The three-day National Outrigger Sprint Titles program will feature open, masters and junior events across the new V1, OC1, OC2, OC6 and the exciting V12 class.
This year's Nationals will also see the inclusion of the inaugural Platinum class to cater for the increasing popularity in the 60 plus age group.
AOCRA SQ Zone president Mark Forbes is excited about the Championship program.
"The race format will allow for a mixture of OC1 and OC6 craft to be alternated throughout the program on day two with day three culminating in the ever popular V12 sprints," said Forbes.
"It will be an ideal opportunity to support the junior development of the sport.
"It is so important to look after our youth and to encourage participation across the board in what is one of Australia's most exciting water sports that couples supreme fitness with skills and water awareness.
"It will provide a pathway for some of the finest water-based athletes in the country in a sport that is growing all the time - so we want to ensure they get a taste of what could well be a very exciting future indeed."
WHAT: National Outrigger Sprint Titles, 2011
WHEN: February 4, 5, 6, 2011
WHERE: Coomera Lake Regatta Waters, Oxenford, Gold Coast (UBD Ref Map 6 R13)
HOW TO GET THERE: Heading South - Take Exit 57 onto overpass heading inland. Turn right at the second set of lights onto Old Pacific Highway. Continue along this road heading north and take the first street on the left - Watersport Lane. Heading North - Take Exit 57 onto the Old Pacific Highway. Continue along this road north and take the first street on the left - Watersport Lane.
RACE PROGRAM: Day One - V1 and OC2 in straight 500m format; Day Two: All races in straight 500m format; Day 3: All OC6 races in turn format (on 250m marker); V12 is 500m straight. 