Introducing Canoes To The Home Of Surfing

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30955, 11 January 1966, Page 13

Introducing Canoes To The Home Of Surfing

Before this season comes to a close, Australia might be introduced to a spectacular facet of surf lifesaving which has so far remained peculiar to the sport in New Zealand surf canoe racing.

Members of the visiting Queensland team which competed at Taylor’s Mistake last week were so impressed with the performance and versatility of the light-weight canoes that they decided it was time that one was shown to Australia, the home of surf lifesaving. Seeking Sponsor

A senior member of the Point Lookout club, J. Comerford, and other members of his club touring New Zealand with the Queensland team, are now attempting to find an Australian sponsor for the canoe, valued at £l7O. and are reasonably sure of success.

However, the success of the venture depends greatly on the cost of shipping the craft to Australia. The Point Lookout club has just built a new pavilion and does not have a great deal of money to pay for shipping freight. The club captain of the Waimairi club in Christchurch (Mr M. J. Stevens) is negotiating the shipping on behalf of the Australians.

If suitable arrangements can be made, the Queenslanders will purchase one of the fibre-glass utility models built by a Dunedin firm to the design of Mr “Duke” Gillies. Although these are now being superseded by lightweight wooden craft for racing in New Zealand, the fibreglass models have a longer life and are easy to repair.

At the Taylor’s Mistake carnival, the Australians borrowed a fibre-glass canoe from the Waimairi club, the current holder of the New Zealand championship, performing with great credit to finish fifth out of eight canoes. Mt Stevens said yesterday

that the Queensland surfers had never set eyes on a surf canoe before and were extremely enthusiastic after trying one out. After the carnival, the four youngest members of the ! touring party borrowed a canoe. Such was their facination for the craft that they spent an hour paddling in and out of the breakers.

“There seems to be general agreement that canoes would be a great attraction in Australia but whether they can survive in competition with the surf boat only time will t»H,” said Mr Stevens. In Canterbury there was no doubt of their popularity. Most club members connected with boats and canoes now favoured the surf canoe to the boat. The cost of maintenance, the numbers required to man-handle a boat down to the beach and the amount of training required had prevented the boats gaining the same popularity as the canoes.

“Whether the Australians view it in the same light remains to be seen,” Mr Stevens said.