Inland Outriggers Canoe Club members at this year’s V12 Winery Run, an annual event attracting canoeists from across the country. Photos: Supplied.
Echuca-Moama is a thriving community that is only growing. One of the many reasons people love the region is the multitude of groups they can be a part of.
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To help you find the right group, check out our ‘Why not join...’ series each week, where we focus on a community group.
In today’s edition, Emily Donohoe speaks to members of Inland Outrigger Canoe Club.
Jenny and Don Larcombe were looking to stretch their sea legs after supporting their kids’ outrigger adventures, swapping land crewing for canoeing in 2009 when they joined Inland Outrigger Canoe Club.
Since then, the couple has been involved in the group’s committee from 2010 until this year’s annual general meeting.
The group itself has existed since 2008, an offshoot of some of the regular canoeing clubs with a focus on outrigger canoes, generally designed for the ocean.
“The main reason for that was that a number of young students were looking to do the Murray Marathon ... on outriggers instead of the normal canoes,” Mrs Larcombe said.
“The following year, we did our first Murray Marathon with adults and kids. It’s been going strong ever since.”
While many outrigger canoeists stick to the ocean, the Inland Outrigger Canoe Club is one of three clubs in the country that is not on the coast.
The V12 event begins at Barmah, taking paddlers down to Cape Horn Vineyard.
Canoeing on the Murray compared to the open sea is vastly different, but many members enjoy travelling to try their hand on the waves.
“Paddling on the ocean is very different, but it is very good fun when you get some nice weather and get a good run.”
The Larcombes have travelled far and wide thanks to their hobby, heading interstate and overseas to canoe.
The Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing Association has a reciprocal arrangement, meaning that canoeists can tag along to other clubs’ meetings if visiting.
“We’ve been to the Cook Islands, Hobart a few times. We’ve taken the kids up to Queensland, Adelaide, Melbourne, Geelong,” Mr Larcombe said.
“We were in Darwin just recently and we just drove around to a local club and went for a paddle around the Darwin Harbour.”
Closer to home, the group does its annual V12 Winery Run with 12-person outrigger canoes heading from Barmah to Cape Horn Vineyard for lunch.
Visitors from afar travel for the social weekend, generally falling around Easter time.
The group also regularly participates in regattas, providing an opportunity for competition along with leisure.
There are all levels of experience in the group, from complete beginners to seasoned race winners.
“Some people come for the social aspect, some for the fitness, others are keen to compete and race,” Mrs Larcombe said.
“Generally, you can cover all of those things.
“It’s nice to get fit and be competitive ... there are a few regattas coming up all over the place, so I’m hoping some of our newer members will be getting into that.”
The group meets three times a week, launching from Victoria Park Boat Ramp.
The group meets year-round, even during winter. After their Sunday morning sessions, members often grab a coffee together, too.
Inland Outrigger Canoe Club meets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, as well as Sunday mornings, with Victoria Park Boat Ramp serving as its meeting place.
Those interested in joining the crew can come down on a Sunday morning to introduce themselves, or contact a committee member.
The secretary can be reached at kathryn.long@bipond.com or phone president Kerry on 0455 266 663.
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