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Give it a go and join us!

We welcome all kinds of people to our club but it’s crucial that you answer “Yes” to all of these questions before you get into a canoe.

  1. I love the ocean and have a healthy fear of its power and associated risks
  2. I want to challenge myself by trying a new sport
  3. I can swim
  4. I can tread water
  5. I want to be involved in a team sport and be a team player
  6. I want to be part of a club and I’m happy to volunteer to support of my club
  7. I am open to being coached and will follow the instructions of the steerer
  8. I want to learn more about canoe culture
  9. I am prepared to get a medical certificate to show I am fit for paddling if required.
  10. I don’t have any COVID symptoms and have not been to a high risk area in the last 14 days.

If you answered yes to all of the above, read below to see which description best suits you to answer a few questions you may have about joining us.

  • I have no paddling experience
    You are welcome to attend one of our “Come & Try” programs.  The cost is $50 which includes three paddling sessions (30-45mins in duration per session) and we will supply you with a paddle.  During the session, we will teach you the basics of technique, safety and responsibilities.  We’ll paddle around the Pumicestone Passage and always stay close to shore.  You will be asked to jump out of the canoe in deep water, tread water and then get back into the canoe.  This exercise will help inform your decision about joining the club after the program and gives us an indication of your abilities.  These programs will be fun, informative and low intensity.  If you decide to join the club after the program, we’ll give you $50 off your membership.  You can join our next program in October 2021.  Sessions are running on 16, 23 and 30 October at 9:15am.
    Registration Form October 2021

    To sign up, please contact us on occcsec@hotmail.com and attach your completed registration form.

  • I have outrigger experience, I’m reasonably fit, was previously a member of AOCRA and I’m thinking of getting back into the sport
    There are five outrigger clubs on the Sunshine Coast from Caloundra to Noosa and we all have our own culture, training styles and goals.  You are welcome to join us during any weekday session to see if we are the right fit for you (Saturday sessions are for AOCRA members only).  You don’t require a current AOCRA membership but you won’t be able to cross the bar and paddle in the ocean without this cover.  You can paddle with us for three sessions before deciding if we are the right club for you.  After your three sessions, you will need to join AOCRA and our club to continue paddling with us.  Please let us know you are coming so we can plan the session and allocate you a seat. You will also need to sign-in for COVID contact tracing (hard copy kept in our clubhouse).
  • I am a current AOCRA member and I would like to join you for training as once-off visitor.
    You are welcome to join us at any session.  Please let us know you are coming.  We can’t accommodate paddlers who just show up.  Ideally we’d love you to fill in the form below and send it to us prior to your session.  Alternatively,  fill in this form upon arrival at clubhouse before you hit the water.

    Outrigger Caloundra Visitor Sign In Form Current AOCRA Members

  • I have kids aged between 8 and 18 who want to try.
    We don’t have a dedicated junior program, however, you are welcome to bring your kids along to a Come & Try program if you are also participating in the program.  Come & Try programs are not drop off events. Our Committee members and Coaches have Blue Cards. If we have a group of kids who want to join the club after the Come & Try program, we’ll discuss training times and what we can offer.
Please give us a call if you need clarification about anything!

Step 1: Come and Try

Once you have met our members, enjoyed the atmosphere of our club and you are hooked on paddling, you are ready to take step 2!

Please be aware that the club has a COVID-19 Safety Plan which is based on, and accepts, the AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 Environment (AIS Framework) and the National Principles for the Resumption of Sport and Recreation Activities (National Principles).

Step 2: Join AOCRA and pay insurance

As an AOCRA member you are covered by insurance.  Details about this policy can be found here.

To join AOCRA, click here, select the SQ Zone and scroll down to Outrigger Caloundra to join.  This is an annual registration that is $70 for adults and $45 for juniors.

Step 3: Fill out an Outrigger Caloundra membership form and pay a membership fee

Our club membership fees for seniors are $110 for your first year and $225 thereafter.  Junior fees are $110 per year, every year.  This fee is payable direct to our club.  Our banking details are on the footer below.

Our club membership is based on the financial year calendar.  If you join after December, we can offer you a pro rata rate.

Click on the link for a membership application form

OCCC Membership Form

Send your completed form to occcsec@hotmail.com

As a member you will be expected to help us with fundraising events and volunteer throughout the year.

Step 4: Join Spond to receive invites to training, social and fundraising events

The coaches use an online team management system to help us plan training sessions and select crews for competitions. It is also used for inviting people to social events, advising members about committee meetings and coordinating our weekly meat tray raffle.

Our club page can be found here noting you will need a code from us to join once you become a club member.

New members do not need to use this system. If you decide to join the club, you will be asked to join and we can help you set it up. You can receive alerts and invitations via email and/or via the mobile phone app.

Step 5: Join our Members Facebook Group

Request to join our closed group here. This is not compulsory but a great way to stay in the loop!  Non Facebook users will still receive information via our newsletter.

Step 6: Get to know about our club, committee, outrigger technique and the history of the sport

Read our E-Welcome Information This includes info about our committee and how our club operates.  Please note this will be updated after our Club AGM on September 12 2021.

Click here to read one of our newsletters about outrigger technique.  While this may seem overwhelming, just remember, there are a million ways to paddle but if you are smiling you are doing it right!

Click here to read one of our newsletters about the history of outrigging, how to recover from a huli, roles in the boat and race starts.

Canoe Etiquette

One of the greatest things about being an outrigger paddler is that you can paddle with just about any outrigger club around the world if you adhere to canoe etiquette. You may not have the best technique and you may not have much experience, but you will be welcomed with open arms if you respect the traditions of outrigger canoeing. While canoe etiquette may vary from club to club, here are a few do’s and don’ts:

  • When we are in the canoe, we are all “Ohana”, meaning family.  We need to love and respect each other.
  • When we paddle an Outrigger Canoe we become one entity.
  • “Shut up and paddle’ – there should be one voice and one attitude in the canoe as opposed to six!
  • Listen to your steerer.  Full stop.
  • Treat the canoe like you would your grandparents or village elder.
  • Don’t step over the canoe it can cause bad Kama (feeling) to all those who paddle her.
  • Always face the canoe to the ocean and do not sit in a canoe when on dry land.
  • Paddles are our paddling ancestors.  Do not dig your paddle in the sand.
  • Approach the beach at slow speed. Don’t run the canoe into the sand and never drag the canoe across the beach.
  • Don’t swear in the canoe. If you do, apologize to her.
  • Always enter the canoe from the ama side as it could huli (roll over).
  • Standing up in a canoe is heavily frowned upon in some clubs.
  • When changing seats, why not jump in the water? It is a water sport after all and it may cool you down.
  • Enjoy paddling, do your best and keep good thoughts and spirits in your heart.
  • Everyday you are on the water, is a good day.  So be happy and smile in the canoe.
  • Recognise that paddling is more than a sport.  Outrigger canoeing is a spiritual experience for many cultures – it connects paddlers to the heavens, the ocean, land and each other.  

Training Times

COVID-19 has turned our world upside down.  But traditionally, the OC6 race season in Qld is from November to May.  During this time, we try to keep our race squads together and encourage social paddlers to train in their own crews.  During our off season between June and September/October, all paddlers train together as one club.

Our current training sessions are:

Tuesday: 4:30pm for 4:45pm on the water

Tuesday: 5am for 5:15am on the water

Thursday:  4:30pm for 4:45pm on the water

Thursday: 5am for 5:15am on the water

Saturday: 6am for 6:15 on the water

Please note these training times are subject to change due to COVID-19 and seasonal weather changes.

Additional sessions may be organised in the lead up to major races for competitive members or squads who wish to paddle together.  Please advise the head coach who will be paddling and gain the coach’s approval of your session plan.

If you have never paddled before or have had an extended break from paddling, please keep an eye out for our Come and Try sessions before attending other sessions.  This gives the coaches time to go through the technique and safety elements of outrigger canoeing.  While we are not offering Come and Try sessions during this era of social distancing, we hope to return to business as usual soon!

Crew Selection

The coaches want our race season to be fun, fair, transparent and rewarding for everyone.  Please talk to the head coach about your individual goals and how the club can assist you to paddle at your best this season!

Crews are selected based on the criteria below.  Please feel free to discuss these elements of crew selection with the head coach.  The head coach is available to discuss why and how decisions are made throughout the race season.

  1. Blending. This is the most important component of selecting a crew. If a paddler cannot keep with the rhythm of the canoe, the canoe will not run and not move as quickly. A paddler’s strength is only of use if it is used in time with the other paddlers in the canoe, the rhythm of the canoe is one of the most important contributing factors to the canoe’s speed. Attendance at training allows the coach to assess how a crew blends. This may involve seat swaps within the canoe and between canoes.  Sometimes simply swapping seats e.g. 3 and 4 will make a big difference to the running of the canoe
  2. Attitude. The paddler’s attitude towards the canoe, the steerer, the crew and the coaches is important to ensure the crew performs at it’s optimum. A negative attitude impacts on crew performance. A crew is better off without someone with a negative attitude regardless of paddling ability. How a paddler receives and uses feedback is an indication of attitude.
  3. Fitness. It is every paddler’s responsibility to ensure they are fit enough to race, remembering fitness is specific, that means, to be paddling fit you must paddle otherwise your crew members are penalised by having to work harder than is necessary. It is a personal responsibility to ensure they are doing the necessary work outside the canoe (if you are not sure ask the coach).To assess a paddler’s paddling fitness the coach will consider: attendance at training, performance at training, OC1/OC2 paddling and other fitness work being done.
  1. Paddling Experience. The coach will consider the paddler’s ability to handle the ocean conditions and a huli.  Performance and composure going over the bar is a good indicator for the coach.
  2. Racing Experience. The coach will consider the paddler’s previous race experience, this includes having the ability to be sufficiently focused to paddle at a competitive level whilst contributing strength and power to the canoe.
  3. Club Mindedness. OCCC is a small club in a transition phase and as such the club at this stage does not have the ability to have members who just paddle a canoe. For the club to provide its members with the latest race canoes, paddles for 1st year paddlers, OC2s for 1st year OC2 racers, PFDs, tow ropes, rigging materials etc. it is essential for all members to contribute some time to raising funds. This involves attendance at Power Boat Club raffles as rostered and potential other fundraising ventures as they arise. Also, contributing to set up and clean up for training sessions and races. If a paddler repeatedly avoids involvement in these ventures it could jeopardise their selection for a crew.
  4. Coaches Call. At the end of the day decisions have to be made and the coach will make the call.