Nineteen clubs from across NSW were represented over the weekend at The Lakes regatta, which included the outrigger canoe 1-man (OC1), outrigger canoe 2-man and va'a rudderless canoe (V1) classes, in addition to the OC6-man races conducted on Sunday.

Port Stephens had five members participate in the OC1/OC2 state 12km and 8km events, taking home an incredible four first placings and a third place medal.

Club member Tony Compton, who at age 66 has been paddling for 10 years, competed in the 12km course, taking the gold medal in his division (golden masters) and finishing third outright in the OC2 and OC1 grades.

Also paddling for the past 10 years were husband and wife Aaron and Kerrie Binns, who won their division (senior master mixed 50s age group) in the 8km OC2 race.

Racing for the first time in her own boat, Anna Bay's Renee Bonafe was the first woman OC1 racer across the line in the 8km event to take gold in her division (senior master mixed 50s age group). Mark Vucas mater men's 4-0s age group) finished third in the 12 km OC1 event.

Many of the Port Stephens club paddlers backed up on the Sunday, where the two OC6 teams were runners-up in the 16km long course (senior master mixed and open mixed) races.

The teams consisted of Aaron Binns, Riko Eguchi, Jon Tyler (from Te Ika Nui Outrigger), Tony Compton, Renee Bonafe and Kerrie Binns (senior master mixed); and Vicki Davis, Jo Richart, Meg Richardson, Dave Dawson, Mark Vucas and Anne Dawson (open mixed).

Anyone interested in outrigger paddling, Come and Try sessions are conducted every Sunday from 8am on the beach at Anchorage Resort. Visit portstephensoutriggers.com.

PSOCC has 62 active members and participates in around 12 regattas throughout the year, mostly in NSW, occasionally in Queensland, but also in places like Norfolk Island. PSOCC will be hosting its own regatta in Shoal Bay in March 2020. Businesses interested in sponsoring or making donations, can email PSOCC.committee@gmail.com.