Outrigger canoe team competes internationally

The Woy Woy outrigger canoe team has competed for the first time in the International Va'a Federation World Elite and Club Sprint Championships on the Sunshine Coast from Thursday, May 5 to Sunday, May 15.

Six Woy Woy competitors took part in three teams: two Women's over-70 and one Adaptive Men's.

Coach Ms Lana Hofman said there were 384 races with 24 countries and about 2500 paddlers.

"They all competed in the national titles in February and qualified to compete.

"It's everyone's first time so it's pretty cool," she said.

The only man to compete for Woy Woy, Matt Newman, began training as part of rehabilitation after an injury.

"We train local races all year round," Ms Hofman said

"There's been lots of paddling around Brisbane Waters."

Ms Hofman said that Mr Newman had done very well considering he wasn't aiming to compete when he initially began training 18 months ago.

"The opportunity came up," Ms Hofman said.

Ms Hofman said that teams were usually made up of competitors from the same state but due to low numbers, teams had become mixed.

Mr Newman competed in a team of five Queensland participants.

The six women were divided between the Panamuna team and the Central Coast team.

Sue Warby and Marie Battye joined the Panamuna team while Marliene Byrne, Joan Whitson, Sue Giaquinto, Petra Salna, Jo Terrans and Barbie Jones made up the Central Coast team.

"The women have travelled to Queensland to train with their team and the women in Queensland have come here to train.

"It's a big thing for them to do," she said.

"I think it's awesome that there's a sport for their age that they can start and come into something like this.

"Even if we come ninth, that's still ninth in the world," she said.

Ms Hofman explained that the two women's teams were competitive with only six and 10 seconds between the teams in 46 kilometre wind at the nationals.

"They did very well," she said.

"I'm so chuffed there's something that they can still do.

"They don't have to sit at home with their walking sticks. They can get out into the water and sunshine," she said.

Interview, 4 May 2016

Lana Hofman, Central Coast Outrigger Canoe Club