Friday 13 March 2026

A Thursday afternoon gathering saw Newcastle Outrigger Canoe Club (NOCC) host staff in a paddle out on windy Newcastle Harbour.

Crewing three OC6 (6 paddler) training canoes, the usually land-locked surveyors and office staff hit the water for a bit of water sport fun and exercise.

Paddlers were coached in paddle technique, timing and teamwork – before heading off toward the Harbour Foreshore to escape the wind. Some interesting paddle form was observed while everyone dug in, paddling strongly to keep the large canoes moving.

The OC6 canoe is a Polynesian style, ocean-going outrigger about 14 metres long. This type of canoe can be raced in still water short or long course and open ocean regatta events.

Outrigger canoeing is huge sport with deep cultural meaning across the Pacific, and is a growing sport with clubs all along the NSW and QLD coasts and in other States. There is even a club in Canberra. NOCC members have just competed in the Bondi East Coast Challenge and are training for the State Titles at Ulladulla, National Titles at Coffs Harbour in May and World Sprint Titles in Singapore in August.

The afternoon finished with some competitive sprint races to build up appetites for the pizza and drinks waiting onshore.