Suncoast Paddling Club – home of competitive and recreational paddling in the qathet Regional District.
Outrigger canoeing has grown from its roots in Polynesia to become a very popular paddling sport, with numerous sporting and social clubs located around the world. The Suncoast Paddling Club was formed in 2001, thousands (and thousands) of kilometers have been logged since, both locally and internationally. We are proud to be members of the Canadian Outrigger Racing Association (CORA), https://www.canadianoutrigger.ca/ Our club is a mix of competitive and fun & fitness paddlers who are passionate about getting out on the water. We love to challenge ourselves while having fun and a shared fitness activity. We are a vibrant group that has scheduled outings several times a week and compete in races around Vancouver Island, the Vancouver lower mainland and have competed in the World Championship. Our canoes are located at Powell Lake, we have four OC6 (six person canoes) as well as an OC2 and an OC1. During the summer season we keep one of the OC6s on the ocean for those seafaring outings.
We are a community minded organization. Our goal is to have people enjoy the water, the spirit of competition and camaraderie that surrounds outrigger paddling and to use outrigger paddling as a non-stressful means of staying fit. Whether you are just learning about the sport or are an athlete looking for a new challenge, our club can accommodate you. |
Coach Michael retires.
Our dear friend and coach, Michael Matthews, has retired. A great big thanks to you MIchael for all you've done for the club and all us paddlers. Your influence will always be with us not to mention your voice telling us we need a stonger catch. Michael's approach to training and coaching resulted in international gold medals competing in the World Sprint Championships in Tahiti in 2018 and World Distance in Samoa in 2023. A remarkable accomplishment for a small club from Powell River, he truly made the outrrigging world stand up and take notice of Powell River. Michael was also instrumental in our club acquiring grants to purchase canoes and a coach boat, allowing us to offer top level paddling and coaching equipment. We have been fortunate to have two talented and experienced members step forward to continue coaching our club. Helen Robinson and Lynnette Mangan are well versed in Michael's approach and provide our club with excellent coaching to continue to build upon what Michael has established. |