PORT Macquarie outriggers are seeking an injection of new talent as they chase further success in the upcoming 2017/18 season.
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With a national title and a swag of medals to their credit last summer, the Maroro Club hopes to add further depth to its paddling stocks.
One of its many successes last season came in Queensland in May.
After claiming the bronze in 2015 and silver in 2016 in the open division, its masters women’s team were primed to make the step up to claiming gold.
And they delivered.
Now, the club is expected to kick off a new recruitment drive at Westport Park next month.
President Wes Byrnes said the club would be running introductory paddling sessions every Sunday morning for six weeks, starting on Sunday, October 8.
New paddlers are welcome to attend any or all of the six sessions.
“The sessions are free and open to anyone who is interested in finding out more about outrigger paddling and our club,” Byrnes said.
“We will be leaving from the Westport boat ramp at 8am each week.
“No experience is required and there is no need to bring anything other than comfortable clothes and a towel.”
Byrnes said the club was focussed on sustaining the success it had enjoyed over a number of seasons.
“Last season was another good one for us, but we know that unless we continue to bring new paddlers to the club, we won’t have the depth to sustain that level of achievement,” he said.
“Our sport is just a great way to keep fit, compete alongside your team mates and enjoy the unique experience of our coastline and its amazing marine life.
”We travel as a club to compete at events from Mollymook on the South Coast to Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast, and we make a lot of great memories on these trips.”
Byrnes said the club has been extremely grateful for the support it has received to stage the upcoming ‘come and try’ sessions.
“We were very fortunate to receive a local sport grant from the NSW government and a grant from the Kendall Community Op Shop to help cover the cost of new life vests, UHF radios and paddles,” he said.
“The funding has been vital for obtaining this necessary safety equipment so we can run the program and take our sport to the community.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about the introductory paddling sessions is encouraged to contact Gianna Douglas – gianna.douglas11@gmail.com or 0421 074 938.