Outrigger paddling teams from Suncoast Paddling Club, based in the qathet region, recently competed in the Bridges 2023 outrigger races in BC’s capital city of Victoria.
“We sent eight teams, which is a record for us, and we certainly made our presence known,” said Suncoast Paddling Club president Bruce Layzell in an email to the Peak. “Our success is in large part due to the excellent coaching and guidance of our coach Michael Matthews.”
The Gorge waterway is defined as the inlet between Craigflower Bridge and the Selkirk Trestle in Victoria. Saturday’s outrigger event (October 21) had teams paddle 5.5 kilometres, in OC6 (six person boats) races, in a series of heats up and down the waterway. Sunday’s event consisted of two small boat races: 5.5 kilometres in the Gorge and 12 kilometres into open-water past Saxe Point and back.
“Our teams did very well, including our team of novice paddlers in their first competition,” said Layzell. “They [novice paddlers] had a great race, finishing ahead of a number of other teams.”
Layzell thinks the outrigger club’s recent recruiting efforts have paid off.
Suncoast Paddling Club results:
Men’s masters 60 years of age plus, placed second;
Mixed masters 60 years of age plus, and 70 years plus, both placed first;
Women’s 60 years of age plus, placed first and third;
Women’s 70 years of age plus, placed first.
Suncoast Paddling Club coach Michael Matthews spent many years travelling the world as an international educator before retiring in the qathet region in 2012. Matthews is a fully qualified coach in four sports: Rowing, rugby, dragon boating and outrigger canoeing.
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