Mission Beach teenagers representing Australia in outrigger canoe paddling

Julie Lightfoot

THE tropical waters of Samoa are beckoning for four Mission Beach teenagers who will represent Australia in outrigger canoe paddling.

Charlotte Sharpe, Angie Andreson and sisters Azariah and Eliana Wigley-Gill are in training for the International Va’a Federation Distance Championships, where they’ll race in an under-19s crew on a 24-kilometre course amongst paddlers from all over the world.

Fresh from training camps at Mooloolaba and Redcliffe, Charlotte said excitement was building.

“It still feels unbelievable that we’ve been given the chance to go to Samoa and represent Australia. The whole experience so far has been incredible. The next few months are going to be more hard work and then, before we know it, we’ll be there. What an amazing opportunity.”

As part of the Mission Beach Outrigger Canoe Club, Charlotte and Angie started paddling three years ago, while Azariah and Eliana have been paddling for two years. They’ve spent the last two months training six to seven days a week on the water, in the pool, running and at cardio and strength workout sessions.

“We’re liking having something big to work towards and feeling your fitness and strength improving,’’ Eliana said. The girls are following a program set out by a southern coach, with the help of club coach Michelle Lloyd and on-land fitness trainer Jamie Harris. They’ll be racing in a crew of six, with two southern juniors.

“It’s paddling, schoolwork, eating and sleeping at the moment. And a job’s in there as well. You come home tired, but it has also been fun – and it’s going to be a memorable experience,’’ Angie said. She’ll be steering for the crew, and training in all sorts of ocean conditions, both at home and further south, has been an advantage.

“The swells in Samoa are going to be bigger than here. Every time I’m in the six I’m trying things and learning. Mooloolaba was very windy, even in the river. Experiences like that will make it easier later on.”

Angie, Charlotte and Azariah are taking on the challenge in their final year of school.

Azariah said it has been amazing on several levels.

“It’s not just the race. We’re all motivating each other to

This side is a powerful line-up in all the key areas; it brings passion, speed when needed and a little of what the future will look like. If you have an origin team worthy of my attention to print in the paper, please don't be afraid to put it up against mine cause I can guarantee mine will come out on top. State of Origin 2023, bring it on.

1. Kaylin Ponga

2. Selwyn Cobbo

3. Dane Gagai

4.Hamiso Tabui

5. Val Holmes

6. Cameron Munster

7. Daley Cherry Evans

8. Thomas Flegler

9. Ben Hunt

10. Christian Welch

11. Rubin Cotter

12. Jai Arrow

13. Patty Carrigan

14. Harry Grant

15. Lindsey Collins

16. Coen Hess

17. Reece Walsh train, and we’re fundraising together as a team. It’s the journey as a whole. In Samoa, they’re so into paddling that the culture is going to be amazing too. And the chance to represent women, and younger girls, in sport.

“To start in such a small town paddling on weekends, do some racing… and then it comes to this. It’s really cool. The whole paddling community in Mission Beach and across Australia has been so supportive too.”

The girls have been organising raffles, and they now have a Go Fund Me page, set up by a clubmate. To find it, visit www.gofundme.com and use the search words ‘outrigging Samoa.