Paddler Profiles

PADDLER PROFILES

BRENDAN CONDON
MOCC Club President
Occupation - Environmental consultant/sustainable property developer

Sporting Achievements/Paddling History: Paddled as part of combined Victorian team at Hamilton Island 2003. Achieved first in 42 km mixed marathon, 5th place in open 4 km dash, 7th in open sprints. 2005 Hamilton Cup - paddled with Melbourne outriggers - 5th in 42 km mixed marathon. 2006 Hamilton Cup - Melbourne mixed team - 5th in 42 km mixed marathon.

Hobbies/ Personal Interests: Seakayaking is my favourite form of relaxation, I have paddled around Wilsons Promontory, Freycinet Peninsula in Tasmania, lakes in South Island New Zealand as well as paddling up the Gordon River, South West Tasmania to the mid Franklin River five times on a seakayak.

I am planning to paddle from Wilsons Promontory to Tasmania in March 2008, with a group of around 8 friends. We will island hop across Bass Strait, camping on the island wilderness areas and plan to take around 10 days to do the crossing, and will have an expeditionary craft with us for safety - probably our 60 foot catamaran called Pelican www.svpelican.com.auMy real passion in life is sustainability - having respect for the planet and living with a light footprint, living better, happier, healthier and simpler with less "junk" and "stuff". Outrigger canoe paddling is a great sport - it is low impact, a good fat burn, has a great social element, takes you to some beautiful natural places and has some great traditional cultural elements to it. My thoughts on the meaning of life . . . . Leave something for the next generation. More is not better - more is just more, better is better.

My stand out experiences in outrigger paddling are training sessions at Torquay in the Great Ocean Road, catching long runners in the 6 man canoes and surfing in to shore. Also capsizing in the sprints at Nationals in 2005 in front of a big crowd on a perfectly still day at the olympic rowing course at Penrith.

DWANE CARROLL aka Grumps!
DOB: Older, not much wiser!
Born in Masterton, New Zealand.
Joined MOCC in 2004 and competed at four(4)
Australian National Championships with a fifth
season about to commence.
Have paddled both Outriggers and Dragonboats
since 90'-91'.
Have paddled in NZ, Australia, Tahiti, Rarotonga
and Japan.
Love the sport for what it provides both physically
and mentally. Also for all the amazing places I have
been lucky enough to paddle around and all the
great people I have met and paddled with over the years.
Challenge yourself and give Outrigging a go!
Still so much to learn!!

DEB CLARKE

Occupation: Teacher

Sporting Achievements/ Paddling History: My background is marathon kayaking. Member of the Victorian Marathon Team in 1994, collected medals at national events in every capital city except Darwin (not held there!) My claim to fame was winning the 1998 Murray Marathon. Finished 5^th in my first attempt in1995. As a flatwater coach, I formed a junior development squad in Geelong, enjoyed introducing people to the sport through beginner courses and trained competitors for the challenge of the gruelling mighty Murray. Accidentally found myself paddling surf skis so became a surf lifesaver to compete in surf carnivals when the women’s ski was first introduced in the early 90’s. Member of the ’97 Ocean Grove touring team for the national championships held in Queensland. Founding member of the first Victorian outrigger club in Geelong. I joined MOCC in Jan 2007 after many years living overseas and sailing the globe. Have competed twice at Hamilton Island, steering the 16km women’s crew to respectable finishes, and have one national event under my belt. Ironically in my first 18 years I probably would have drowned in waist deep water and now I have to either be in it or on it…if not paddling it’s scuba diving, surfing, swimming or sailing. I dabbled in adventure racing in the United States until a back injury put an end to any sport for quite a few years. My recent inspirations have been John Jacoby, an incredible athlete and friend, who threw me back into sport with his no fear, you’ll-be-right attitude and Janine Shepherd, author of ‘Never Tell Me Never.’ love the team spirit of outrigging and seeing people enjoying being out on the water as much as I do. It’s a lot of fun!


	RODDERS DOB: A third of the way Years Paddling: 4 Years with club: 4 Favourite Paddling Moment: Huli in 1000m sprints at nationals 2005 Paddling Goal: To make it to Hammo one day Quote: We work as a team and Do it My way (Richie "12th Man" Benaud)