WHAT IS OUTRIGGER CANOEING?

Outrigger Canoeing is an exciting challenging sport which fits perfectly into the Australian culture. It offers participants the opportunity to enjoy an aquatic environment whilst performing in a team orientated sport.  It is both physically and mentally challenging, and requires dedication to personal and team goals.

Outrigger Canoe Racing originated in Hawaii, hence adding a cultural element to the sport.  Australia’s reputation as one of the leading countries in the world in ocean sports, has ensured the rapid and successful growth of the sport since its introduction to Australia in 1976.

The Tweed region is an idyllic location suited to a lifestyle incorporating Outrigger Canoeing.

Since our inauguration in 2004, TCO (Tweed Coast Outriggers) has become an integral and positive part of the local community.  Now in our seventh season of competition, we race in regattas between Hamilton Island and Sydney as well a having paddlers compete internationally such as Molokai and Kona in Hawaii, New Zealand and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

In June 2005, Tweed Coast Outriggers hosted the SQ Zone Regatta at Kingscliff and in 2006 our club started its own junior program competing in regattas up and down the Sunshine Coast. In 2008 our mixed team won both the Gold Coast Cup and the Hamilton Island Cup (42km). In 2009 a women’s team came 3rd in the Gold Coast Cup (43km) and we hosted a South Queensland Zone Regatta.

The most amazing achievement for 2 of our paddlers was their participation in the historic and very dangerous marathon of crossing Bass Strait in a 6 man canoe just 14 metres long.  WHY???  For personal achievement and fundraising for The Australian Cancer Research Foundation.