Sunshine Coast Paddlesports Club History
The Sunshine Coast Paddlesports Club was formed in 1983 as the Sunshine Coast Canoe Club to enable Sunshine Coast kayakers to compete internationally including at the Olympic Games. Flat-water kayaking, both sprint and marathon remains the core function of the SCPC. Since 2011 the club has welcomed paddlers in Dragon Boats, Outrigger canoes, Stand-Up-Paddle Boards and Plastic Sit-On-Tops. Come-and Try days are conducted regularly. The club holds two main races annually: the Maroochy Marathon and the Maroochy River Paddle.
OUR OLYMPIANS
- Grant Kenny: 1984, 1988
- Paul Gilmore : 1988
- Clint Robinson: 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008
- Rachel Lovell: 2012
- Alyssa Bull: 2016, 2020, 2024
- Alyce Wood (nee Burnett): 2016, 2020, 2024
- Alexandra Clarke 2024
Early history can be traced from account book entry
1983 /84 Account book lists : Rankin, Dalziel, Gilmour, and Campbell in September as paying subs & grants for Q A C F. In December, Jane Uren, Shane Dalziel, Noel Kelk, P & L Manly, Judy Mongan.
As the years go by famous names appear on the pages.
1985/86/87 The names “Kenny”, “Robinson” and “Jackson” appear for the first time. Fay Kenny, Ron Robinson & Ted Jackson – parents of Grant, Clint and Norm. Many of our club members in those days were Australian reps & wore green & gold as a club uniform.
1989 Danny Topfer joined 1990 Norm Jackson. 1992 Nev Mayfield 1993 Maureen Harvey ( Jackson) , Fred & Gloria O’Neill, Bob Hamblet & Dave Kelly.
1993 Maroochy Shire Council supports the Club with $10,000 for canoes.
1994 The name T Hendy appears.
Early club days were held at Picnic Point, Maroochydore.
1999 Clubhouse built.
2009 Ten year lease signed.
2010 Extension built & opened – John Smallwood.
2019 Todd Grace brings Olympic hopefuls to our club.
2020 COVID
2023 Council lease renewed.
2023 QAS squads under Sharlene Kelly and emergence of young champions like Bryon Dieckmann, Dakota Luke.
2024 Todd Grace second in the ICF world ocean racing championships.