Our next Come & Try Program will start on the 12th of October 2025. $50 for your first 3 sessions with no obligation to join the club after the program. If you’d like to join us, we’ll provide a further 3 beginner sessions for $50 with no more to pay for club membership – Register here

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 (45-60 mins 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 provide an extra three beginner sessions for an additional $50.  You’ll have nothing further to pay towards your club membership.  You can join our next program starts on the 13th of October 2024.  Sessions start at 8am on Sunday mornings. To sign up, please CLICK HERE to go to the online form. This program is the best way for beginners to acquire the skills they need to be paddling and training with the club in regular sessions in a reasonable time frame.
• Alternatively, if you have experience with water sports or paddling and consider yourself reasonably fit, we invite you to join our “Social Beginner sessions” on Saturday mornings. You can attend up to three sessions by reaching out to us to schedule a suitable date and time, subject to availability.

  Each session lasts between 30 to 45 minutes, and we will provide you with a paddle. During these sessions, we’ll focus on teaching you fundamental techniques, safety measures, and your responsibilities while paddling. Our route will typically take us along the Pumicestone Passage, staying close to the shore for added safety.

  Expect these sessions to be both enjoyable and educational, with a relaxed pace suited for beginners. If you decide to become a member after completing the program, we’ll evaluate your overall proficiency to ensure a smooth transition. Membership with AOCRA (Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing Association) and our club will be required for continued participation in our paddling activities, provided you’re deemed a suitable fit. To discuss when our next available session is please email occcsec@hotmail.com.

• 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.
• 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.

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 around $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 are $110 for your first year and $250 thereafter.  Junior fees are $125 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.  You must also be aware of our OCCC Code of Conduct and AOCRA Training and Regatta Rules.

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 outrigger technique and the history of the sport

Click here to watch a video on how simple the outrigger stroke is!  You can then spend the rest of your life trying to figure out why it is so hard to master!

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!