Juniors shine in Qld titles

Geographe Outriggers’ junior paddlers have returned from the 2017 National Sprint Titles in Queensland with a bevy of medals.

Cape Naturaliste College’s Bailey Annear and Mitchell Baesjou, with St Mary MacKillop College student Beau Haynes qualified for selection after training up to five times a week for the event over the school holidays and attaining competitive times.

Fellow Cornerstone students Jesse and Hope Adams had to withdraw from the event at the last minute because of unforeseen circumstances but the club was able to make up teams for the outrigger sixes with the support of Eastern States clubs and joined forces with a Tasmanian crew for 19-and-under and open-age categories.

The trio won bronze and silver medals in both 500m and 1000m Outrigger 6 events, respectively, and also came home with silver and bronze medals in the mixed doubles 500m event after teaming up with girls from Norfolk Island, Sydney and Queens-land clubs.

Up against some of the best individuals and teams in the country such as Mooloolaba Outriggers, Gold Coast Outriggers and Bayside Outriggers in Queensland, Geographe made a big impression.

Bailey, Beau and Mitchell performed so well in their heats that they qualified for finals in many of their events.

With so many appearances, the race announcer began to pronounce “Geographe” correctly on day two.

The medals were the icing on the cake for a well-earned campaign, with the club now setting its sights on the 2017 Trans-Tasman Championships, involving clubs from Australia, New Zealand and Polynesia.