Original Post June 10th, 2013
Noosa Outriggers’ famous “Loggerheads”, the Golden Master Men have done it again with a second in the Hekili 40K Great Barrier Reef Ocean Challenge which was held on Sunday morning, the course for the event taking paddlers from Palm Cove to Port Douglas. This is a boon as all canoes raced in an Open Division with the number increasing to 20 boats this year 12 boats last year.
The “Loggerheads” who are over 60 finished the race a minute just behind the winners Burleigh Master Men and in a time of 3 hours 18 minutes and 30 seconds which was faster than they did last year in the same race. Congratulations to these men who return after taking The Club canoes to Airlie Beach in readiness for the next major regatta.
Hamilton Island is the venue for the next event with the 42K Change Race on Sunday the 23rd. All are looking forward to the variety of races including Sprints, 8K and 16K marathons in single and 6 person craft and including SUP and Surf & Ocean Ski races and new this year Dragon Boat races. Novelty event, the Cat’s Eye Challenge, a 6K event in the Bay, recalls a former event that ‘old outriggers’ will remember.
As this year’s 30th Anniversary of the Hamilton Island Cup moves closer, all are gearing up for the festivities and seeing old friends again with some international teams from Tahiti, Hawaii and New Zealand among the competitors. No doubt others such as Canada & Italy will return for the event and with competitors from the other sports involved it will certainly be a memorable event.