Welcome to 2024!
We hope you had a wonderful holiday season filled with relaxation and joy. As we start the new year, our club has exciting updates and events to share with our members.
Club Logo Printing
We are pleased to announce that we will be arranging for items to be printed with the club logo. If you plan to attend upcoming GP races, don’t forget to have your shirt printed as a club paddle uniform is essential for these races. Please place your items in the designated box at the club house under the kitchen bench. Please ensure your items are labeled for easy return. We require a minimum of 20 items for a print run, and the turnaround time is approximately two weeks. To have your apparel ready for the next GP on 16 February, please put them in the box by Monday, 15 January, 2024.
Upcoming Events
Paddle Queensland members have already received a calendar of events for the year. Check out the races scheduled and set your training goals accordingly. The event calendar can be viewed on the PQ website https://paddleqld.asn.au/event-calendar/
Additionally, mark your calendars for our “HiJinks on Eudlo,” race which is part of the Pacific Coast Marathon Series. Our club will host the race on Sunday 10 March, 2024. John Smallwood, is race director and is seeking volunteers for various roles. If you can assist, please contact John at sunshinecoastpaddlesportsclub@gmail.com
Note that the Maroochy River Paddle (MRP) is not included in the PQ calendar. We will run this race under insurance other than Paddle Australia to minimise participant costs.
Club Maintenance Roster
As previously mentioned, Joe Ballantyne is organising a roster for club house tasks such as bin emptying, cleaning the shower, and mowing. If you’d like to be part of this roster, please contact Joe at sunshinecoastpaddlesportsclub@gmail.com.
Club Time Trial
Our monthly club time trial is set for the first Sunday of each month. The course starts from the club house, heading left at the red marker at the entrance to Eudlo Creek. Paddlers proceed up Petrie Creek, turning around at the bridge pylons where David Low Way crosses the creek. If you aim for a 10km course, turn right at the red marker and head to Cotton Tree. The goal is to beat your previous time. Registration begins at 6:30 am, the 10km course starts at 6:45 am, and the 7.5km course starts at 7 am. Staggered starts ensure everyone finishes around the same time.
Grant Applications
We have applied to the State Government, Department of Sport and Recreation, Active Women and Girls Program for a $7,500 grant. Successful applications will be advised in March.
In February we will again be applying to the Gambling Community Benefit Fund for a club house extension.
We look forward to a fantastic year of paddling, events, and camaraderie. Stay tuned for more updates, and we hope to see you on the water soon!
Sponsors
Our club has some ongoing sponsors that provide services to the club. Please consider using these companies should you need their services.
| Sunshine Coast 4WD Centre | Office Works Maroochydore | Accurate Pest Management |
| Westaway Electrical |
The 2023 Maroochy River Paddle Sponsors were:
| Perren & Penny, Civil & Plumbing Contractors | Paddles (formerly the Paddle Shop), Warana | Alexandra Headland SLSC |
| North Coast Frozen Foods | Noosa Paddle Shop | Future Plus Environmental |
| Viking Trucks | Carruthers Contracting | More Smiles Dental Practice |
| Gara Paddles | Buderim Guardian Pharmacy | Clint Robinson Paddling Clinics |
| Pure Paddling | Caloundra Skin Cancer Center | Heads in the Cloud Salon |
We are also grateful to be the recipient of grants from the following local, state and federal governments:
| Sunshine Coast Council | Qld Government, Dept of Sport & Rec | Australian Government, Dept of Business & Industry |
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with your ideas, concerns, or suggestions anytime. You can find my phone number on our Facebook page, and we are always responsive to club emails.
You are invited to send your stories to Matt at our Facebook page.
Warm regards
Delia West, president
Doug Brennan, treasurer
Paul Shipton, secretary
Matt Ramke-Meyer, Media
Nicky Donaldson, Head Coach
Lach Ken, Tim Kreis, Justin and Deb Wright – general committee members