Coffs Coast Outrigger Canoe Club members are all smiles as they make full use of their new OC6 outrigger canoe.
Nationals Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the club was able to purchase the new canoe thanks to a $32,000 grant from the former NSW Nationals Government under the Community Building Partnership Program.
Mr Singh announced the grant in December 2022 as part of $400,000 in funding for numerous local projects under the program.
The Coffs Coast Outrigger Canoe Club asked Mr Singh to check out their new canoe at Jetty Beach and they’ve extended an open invitation for him to join them for a paddle at one of their training sessions.
“It was great to be harbourside with club members and their new canoe, which is a wonderful asset for the club,” Mr Singh said.
“The club has always been focused on increased community participation and the arrival of the new canoe is helping the members to achieve this aim.
“I congratulate them on their new craft and applaud them for promoting healthy lifestyles in our community.”
Outrigger Canoe Club president Chris Foley thanked Mr Singh for his support of the club’s application for the grant.
“We’re also grateful for his ongoing support and interest in the club and the sport of outrigger canoe paddling on the Coffs Coast, and racing in NSW and southern Queensland,” Mr Foley said.
“The additional canoe will allow even more of the club’s 66 members, who range in age from nine to 76 (of which 34 are female) to be on the water at the same time.”
