Author: Graeme Galves

The PNWORCA / CORA 2024 Small-Boat Racing Winter Series is in full swing. Canadian OC1 Masters paddlers have taken up the challenge to see a Canadian name on the Peter Forand Masters Challenge Trophy. Canadians travelled to the Wasabi / Portland #1 race. Canadians showed up big time for the Jericho / Vancouver #2 race. Canadians are now in 11 of the Top 20 places and 4 of the Top 8 places.

Canadian OC1 Masters paddlers will need to put in miles on the water and put in miles on the highway to bring the Trophy home. The PNWORCA 2024 Winter Series Race #4 is hosted by Bellingham Bay Outrigger Paddlers just across the Border on February 24. The PNWORCA 2024 Winter Series Race #5 is hosted by False Creek Racing Canoe Club in Vancouver on English Bay on March 2.

FCRCC is hosting the 5th race of 7 races in the PNWORCA / CORA 2024 Small-Boat Racing Winter Series. The race is Saturday March 2 at FCRCC Outrigger Compound at Burrard Marina in Vancouver (1628 Whyte Ave). There will be a long course (approximately 12 km) and a short course (approximately 4 km). The early bird fees of $21 for adults and $11 for juniors apply until February 16 when fees will increase to $26 for adults and $16 for juniors. Check-in on race day opens at 9:30 am, the safety meeting is at 10:15 am and the race starts at 11:00 am with multiple waves of mass starts. CORA memberships are required and must be paid in advance. PFDs and leashes must be worn. A light lunch and coffee, tea and hot chocolate will be provided. Registration closes at 5pm Wednesday February 28th! Registration is now open at Webscorer Registration Page

The purpose of the Hugh Town Memorial Builder Award is to recognize volunteers who have made significant and exemplary contributions to the Outrigger Canoe Racing Discipline of Canadian Outrigger Racing Association (“CORA”) within Canada in the Builder Category.

The CORA Board has approved Policy and Procedure relating to selection and awarding and administering the Award as per the Hugh Town Memorial Builder Award Policy.

The Hugh Town Memorial Builder Award is awarded after the CORA AGM. The CORA Board has reviewed nominations received for the past season and has recognized Annie Boulding of Comox Valley Canoe Racing Club as the 2023 recipient of the Hugh Town Memorial Builder Award.

Annie Boulding has a 40-year legacy of selfless volunteer effort to paddlesports in general and outrigger canoe racing in particular. She has made contributions to support Canadian paddlers at the international, national, provincial, and club level. She was a member of the Canadian National Whitewater Team and did Molokai Na Wahine several times long before CORA was founded. Annie was founder of the Comox Valley Canoe Racing Club (CVCRC) that has hosted the popular Comox Island Iron for many years. Annie has not served on the CORA Board or with Team Canada, but has been a member of Team Canada from the very first time that Canada participated as a member nation at the 1992 Sacramento IVF World Sprints

CORA wishes to extend a round of appreciation to Michele Genge for sharing personal insights as Guest Speaker on behalf of Annie Boulding at the 2023 CORA AGM.

CORA hopes to have a Hugh Town Memorial Builder Award photo-op on March 10, 2024 at Nanaimo Ocean Paddling Centre as part of the 2024 Nanaimo Crazy 8 and NPI Attack. Please join us for the presentation to Annie Boulding (2023 Recipient) with the Saysutshun and Protection Islands backdrop in the distance.

For more information about the Hugh Town Memorial Builder Award, CLICK HERE