Club Culture

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As the club developed, it achieved success in securing grant funding. In 2022, grants enabled the purchase of additional paddles, protective matting, and a canoe trailer—significantly improving both participation and logistics. Subsequent funding supported the acquisition of canoe covers, helping to protect valuable equipment and extend its lifespan.

An important aspect of the club’s culture—aligned with broader outrigger (Kanu) traditions—is a deep respect for the canoe and the ocean environment. Canoes are not simply equipment; they are central to the paddling experience and are treated with care and responsibility. Members are encouraged to handle canoes thoughtfully at all times: lifting and carrying them correctly, minimising risk during launching and disembarking, avoiding unnecessary wear  and maintaining proper storage and care. These practices reflect both safety principles and paddling etiquette highlighted in AoCRA coaching frameworks, reinforcing consistency and responsibility across the group.

More broadly, the club embraces values associated with outrigger paddling culture: respect for each other, for the craft, and for the water; teamwork and collective effort; and a willingness to support and encourage fellow paddlers. These principles, established in the early years, continue to guide the club as it grows.

The photographs from the club's first regatta at Huskisson Beach capture more than a race day. They document a group of founding members who were willing to take a chance on a new club, share a canoe, learn together, and help establish a paddling community that continues to thrive today.

From humble beginnings with a single canoe and a small group of committed paddlers—many with a shared dragon boating background—the club has evolved into a well-equipped and connected community, built on friendship, shared effort, and a deep respect for the sport and its traditions.