CORA introduced a new initiative for 2022 at the CORA 2021 Pre-AGM that was continued for 2023. To encourage participation by new paddlers at CORA 2023 events, a new Junior / Novice OC Paddle Draw Grant was funded. Every Junior / Novice participant at each CORA Cup Series 2023 event was given 1 entry for the end-of-season draw. It was possible for each Junior / Novice participant to have up to a maximum of 4 entries for the end-of-season draw. The response was impressive with 75 entries in total from 7 Western Canada OC clubs. There were at least 10 entries in each of the Junior Women, Junior Men, Novice Women, and Novice Men divisions such that 2 winners were drawn from each of these 4 divisions.

CORA wishes to extend a round of appreciation to Oddball Workshop, our generous sponsor, for contributing Gift Certificates for each of the 8 Junior / Novice winners to redeem for a paddle of a length of their choosing within 1 year from the end-of-season draw date (22-Jul-2023).

CORA wishes to congratulate the 8 Junior / Novice 2023 OC Paddle winners:

• Zane Halperin – (Kelowna Paddle Centre)
• Roy Yang – (False Creek Racing Canoe Club)
• Aleta Dengler – (Lotus Sports Club)
• Oscar Tessman – (Comox Valley Canoe Racing Club)
• Lauren Gray – (Kelowna Paddle Centre)
• Melanie Mellaart – (Penticton Racing Canoe Club)
• Ayden Dean – (Lotus Sports Club)
• Kendra Shaw – (Kelowna Paddle Centre)

CORA wishes to extend a round of appreciation to the Race Coordinators (Don Mulhall; Carole Fullerton; Jackie Bell; Grace Morissette) from CORA Cup Series host clubs Penticton, Jericho, Comox, and Lotus, and as well as the club reps who collected the names of Junior / Novice participants at these 4 events, and forwarded these entries onto the CORA Board for the draw at the Lotus Awards presentation.

Penticton Racing Canoe Club

Jericho Paddling Club

Comox Valley Canoe Racing Club

Lotus Sports Club

2023 Samoa IVF World Distance Championships takes place from Thursday 10th August 2023 through Saturday 19th August 2023 at the Samoa Tourism Authority (STA) grounds on the waterfront in Apia. Racing has concluded with the Closing Ceremonies to follow. CORA now concludes its “coverage” of the event and resumes with our local postings.

See the links for Samoa Outrigger Canoe Association Official Website and 2023 Samoa IVF World Distance Championships Race Schedule and 2023 Samoa IVF World Distance Championships Race Schedule with Entries and 2023 Samoa IVF World Distance Championships Live Stream and 2023 Samoa IVF World Distance Championships CORA Facebook Updates and 2023 Samoa IVF World Distance Championships Facebook Updates and 2023 Samoa IVF World Distance Championships Race Results and 2023 Samoa IVF World Distance Championships Final Medal Tally to follow along with all the activities.

Daily Results:

• IVF World Distance Day 1 Race 1 V6 J19 V6 MW50 (Canada Bronze)
• IVF World Distance Day 1 Race 2 V1 J19W V1 OW
• IVF World Distance Day 1 Race 3 V6 MM40 V6 MM60 (Canada Bronze)
• IVF World Distance Day 2 Race 1 V1 OM
• IVF World Distance Day 2 Race 2 V6 MM50
• IVF World Distance Day 2 Race 3 V6 J16M J16W (Canada Gold x 3) (Canada Bronze) WooHoo!
• IVF World Distance Day 3 Race 1 V6 J19 V1 19 50
• IVF World Distance Day 3 Race 2 V1MW 40
• IVF World Distance Day 3 Race 3 V1MM 40
• IVF World Distance Day 4 Race 1 V1 MM70 J16W
• IVF World Distance Day 4 Race 2 V6 OW V1 70 7580 (Canada Gold) (Canada Silver x 2)
• IVF World Distance Day 4 Race 3 V1 J16M PM
• IVF World Distance Day 5 Race 1 V6 MW40 MW 60
• IVF World Distance Day 5 Race 2 V1 MM60
• IVF World Distance Day 5 Race 3 V6 OM

Team Canada V6 / V1 Participants:

• V6 Masters 75 Women: Ruth Matson, Susan Hanson, Sue Humphries, Lynnette Mangan, Helen Robinson, Sue Milligan
• V6 Masters 70 Women: Barb McColl, Ann Mohs, Mary Louise Phinney, Kat Town, Shirley Curtis, Rose Mary Neill
• V6 Masters 60 Women: Jaye Kerzner, Annie Boulding, Lisa Robertson, Lorri Stewart, Heather Taylor, Catherine Marr
• V6 Masters 50 Women: Mel Durban, Tara Hastings, Kamini Jain, Cheryl Skribe, Julie Kippen, Carole Fullerton
• V6 Masters 40 Women: Leanne Stanley, Melanie Conard, Kelsey Siddall, Ashley Barker, Zoe Norcross Nu’u, Cheryl Skribe
• V6 Open Women: Ellashani George, Á’a:líya Warbus, Cortney Russell, Kayla Boston, Danielle Monroe, Christine Seymour
• V6 Masters 70 Men: Terry Curtis, Jon Amundson, Bill Buckingham, Bob Stewart, John Rodgers, Dean Dogherty
• V6 Masters 60 Men: Jim Underwood, Don Irvine, Bob Woodman, Rob Varnel, Dennis Silvestrone, Brad Morrison
• V6 Masters 50 Men: Scott Borle, Ken Asano, Gavin Godfrey, James Hill, Vincent Fecteau, Rob Varnel
• V6 Masters 40 Men: Darren Grant, Simon Corbaux, Ken Ang, Daniel Point, Jeremy Siddall, Andrew Mclean
• V6 Open Men: Rob Magus, Jesse Balcom, James Healy, Tony Hodanic, Will Rainey, Jeff Chow
• V1 U19 Women: Ellashani George
• V1 U19 Men: Will Rainey
• V1 Open Women: Melanie Conard
• V1 Open Men: Tony Hodanic
• V1 Masters 40 Women: Leanne Stanley
• V1 Masters 40 Men: Rob Magus
• V1 Masters 50 Women: Heather Taylor
• V1 Masters 50 Men: Scott Borle
• V1 Masters 60 Women: Mel Durban
• V1 Masters 60 Men: Bob Woodman
• V1 Masters 70 Women: Mary Lou Phinney
• V1 Masters 70 Men: Jon Amundson
• V1 Masters 75 Women: Ann Mohs
• V1 Masters 75 Men: Terry Curtis

In response to tragic and devastating fires on the Hawaiian Islands this week (August 2023), CORA’s board is developing a fundraising window for Canadian paddlers and CORA clubs to contribute funds to Lahaina-based outrigger clubs. The paddling community of Lahaina is certainly dealing with the shock of multiple tragedies affecting their community, their infrastructure, as well as livelihoods and devastating personal and family loss.

For CORA members who want to contribute immediately to a reputable fundraising campaign, consider the Hawaii Community Foundation, and specifically the Maui Strong Fund, which is being directed to island communities devastated by recent fires. Click HERE to contribute through this reputable source.

For CORA members who want to assist through a CORA-managed campaign to direct support to outrigger clubs affected by recent fires, CORA will provide links to a directed campaign over the coming weeks and will notify CORA members when donations can be responsibly accepted.

On behalf of Canada’s outrigger community, CORA’s thoughts and compassion are with the people of Maui. We are working on an initiative to provide meaningful assistance in the near future.