State canoe titles at Patonga

The Central Coast Outrigger Canoe Club will host the NSW State Titles at Patonga Beach on the weekend of March 23 and 24.

Racing on both days should start between 8:30am and 9am, and continue until late afternoon on Saturday and just after lunch on Sunday.

The event will include OC6 canoe racing on the Saturday and OC2 racing on the Sunday.

"This is a big event for our club and will attract upwards of 550 competitors on the first day alone," said Central Coast Outrigger Canoe Club representative Ms Judy Hessey-Mott.

"The distance for racing in a regatta can start from four to six kilometres for juniors and novice crews, to short course for men and women of 10 kilometres, long distance race for women, and mixed crews of 14 to 16 kilometres, and long distance men's of 18 kilometres.

"Like all small not for profit local clubs, this event is very important for our club as it is our major fundraiser event, which allows funds raised to be used for advancement of our junior development program and to provide for a new lightweight canoe, maintenance of other club canoes and equipment.

"We expect paddlers and their families, friends, and the residents of this normally sleepy, beautiful part of the Coast to enjoy the activities and benefits from the influx of visitors over the regatta weekend.

The Central Coast Outrigger Canoe Club is based at Woy Woy for closed water paddling and Patonga for open water paddling.

The club, which was established in 1997, has six person canoes, two person canoes and 50 members aged between 10 and 70.

"Here at Central Coast Outrigger Canoe Club, meeting friends to play sport spurs on our motivation and commitment to stay healthy and happy, while promoting this fantastic sport for fitness and social aspects," said Ms Hessey-Mott.

"The health benefits from paddling are obvious from the beginning.

"It is great for body and mind, as well as a great upper body workout, including the core, and cardiovascular endurance.

"Outrigger Canoe is very much a family sport, where both parents and children can be involved at racing level.

"Everybody helps each other, and takes care of each other, which creates great camaraderie within the club.

"Our racing teams train up to three times a week, and our club also caters for non-racing - social members.

"We encourage people from all walks of life to enjoy this healthy sport."

Judy Hessey-Mott, Central Coast Outrigger Canoe Club