Gibsons has three paddlers travelling to Australia’s Sunshine Coast next month to compete in the 2016 International Va’a Federation (IVF) World Outrigger Sprints.
The 10-day event is held on Lake Kawana, one hour north of Brisbane. World Sprints is a bi-annual event showcasing outrigger paddlers from more than 30 countries. The largest contingencies are from New Zealand, Tahiti and Hawaii – where outrigger canoeing is their state sport.
Canada hosted the World Sprints 2012 in Calgary, Alta., and won 25 medals. Canada is listed fourth in medal standings.
Donna Harrison is a long time member of the Gibsons Paddle Club and has been competing in World Sprints since 2006 when it was held in Hamilton, New Zealand.
This time she will manage Team Canada as well as compete with the senior master women’s team.
Team Canada consists of 84 paddlers from across Canada, spanning 16 to 80 years of age.
Tamas Mihalyi from Gibsons will compete in the elite open men’s crew as well as a solo canoe against the best in his category. His partner, Krisztina Harasztosi, will also be competing in the open women’s crew with women from across Canada.
Good luck to our local paddlers and Team Canada.
