George Christopoulos: Chairman

I discovered my passion for outrigging after joining HKOCC in the summer of 2009 and thoroughly enjoy competing with like-minded individuals who like to train hard and have fun on the water (and of course win races!).  With access to some of the best water conditions in Hong Kong, HKOCC caters for all abilities and offers the opportunity to participate in a number of exciting domestic and international races.Previous Excom members have worked tirelessly over the years to make HKOCC the leading outrigger canoe club in Hong Kong - an achievement the current Excom team and I will strive to maintain.

Should you have any ideas or suggestions as to how we can make the club more successful, please don’t hesitate to drop me a line at chairman@hkocc.com. I look forward to seeing you all on the water!

Katherine Lynch: Vice-Chairman

As one of the founders of HKOCC in 2002/2003, it is personally gratifying to see the hard work and efforts of the Club reaping benefits as we have become the dominant outrigger canoe club in Hong Kong. HKOCC has helped raise the level of outrigger canoe racing in Hong Kong by providing many racing and recreational paddling opportunities (both local and overseas) for our members in a supportive and positive club environment. Coming from an extensive background in competitive team sports and endurance based running and cycling, nothing quite matches the thrill of racing outrigger canoes in rough open ocean conditions. It is great to be able share my passion and enthusiasm for this sport with new paddlers to the Club. We are fortunate to have a fantastic group of committed paddlers in HKOCC from all over the world and from all walks of life but the love of outrigger paddling in the big blue ocean is what binds us all together.

Julia Washbourne: Club Secretary

I moved to Hong Kong in January 2006, and with the help of John Pache’s recruitment skills, I joined the HK Outriggers two weeks later - all quite coincidentally while on a search for a sofa. A few weeks after joining, Katherine and John Pache asked me if I wanted to do a race in Australia, and not knowing anything about Hamo (Hamilton Island Race), I said “sure why not” and experienced the best races ever in my paddling life. The swell was unbelievable and although our women’s B crew came last in the 16 km race (we missed the start, taking our time with dragging the canoe out to the start – due to low tide), we had the best time and enjoyed every second surfing the big dippers! This picture of us was chosen for the cover of the official Hamo DVD.  After the Hamo experience, I was hooked!  A year later, I was asked to learn how to steer for the Guam races, again, thinking nothing of it: “Sure, why not!” I steered two teams in the long races, sprints and the slalom – my ever favourite! Since then I have many enjoyable races under my belt, or rather blade and to many more! ;-)

And the following is a useful hawaiian paddling phrase for any steerer, which is stuck on my fridge to practice and become fluent in it for the ATIR! ;-)
"hana ka hoe, pa`a ka waha!" In polite terms this means; "work the paddle, close the mouth!" And is usually translated as; "SHUT UP AND PADDLE!"

As secretary I take the meeting minutes (very exciting) and liaise between the Licensing office and our club.

Katerina Vichou: Treasurer

Tera Glenn: Social Events Secretary/Co-ordinator joined HKOCC and started outrigging just a year ago. Also keen dragon boat paddler with Stormy Dragons, I joined HKOCC to learn to paddle both sides and to pursue smaller boat competitions.  I hope I can add to the existing HKOCC culture through organising some fun events for the upcoming season.  Keep a eye out on Social Event sign ups!

.

Jo Eades: Co-Paddle Events Coordinator

I am Jo Eades, your Paddle Events Co-ordinator and hoping to making this a Racing Season to remember....

I started outrigging in 2005 as a way to satisfy my enjoyment of paddling and my addiction to endurance events! I have been to Hammo and Kona and would love to compete in more international races and win some more local races!

Unfortunately, I'm not able to break my running addiction and so my favourite outrigging race will always by the Three Peaks!

Benjamin Gebert: Co-Paddle Events Coordinator

Finally found my way down to the prestigious HKOCC club premises in July 2010 I obviously caught the outrigging bug right away after 3 years of Dragon Boating. Cruising around Lamma, Po Toi and Hong Kong Island in 2010 its time to get some international races under my still young Outrigging butt.

Looking forward to organize - together with Jo - some memorable national and international races & events this year. And due to I'm also an addicted (trail) runner one goal for sure is to return the 3 Peaks crown back to OCC!
So if you do see a racing 'Lederhosen' out there - that might be me

Vincent Vaucelle: Maintenance and Safety Officer

Like most of us, I have started my paddling life by dragon boating. I joined the Seagods in 2004 (we actually sinked in the middle of Stanley bay during our first training), and after five amusing seasons, I decided to follow fellow teammate Joanna, and try Outrigger with the HKOCC.

I believe I felt in love with outrigging during our third session. Coming back from the Cap D'Ag on a sunny Saturday morning, the giant OC6 which seemed to me so planted and stable so far, started surfing and dancing on the back swell! Every stroke of the paddle resulting in exponential increased speed... it was a fantastic experience, I was hooked!

Today, trying to thank the club that has provided me so much pleasure and excitement over the last four season, I will try to ensure that our paddlers and our material are safe so others can start (or continue) enjoying this fantastic sport in the best environment possible.

Jasmine Nunns: New Members Coordinator

I joined HKOCC for the men. There, I said it.

In all seriousness, besides providing the odd opportunities to ogle at topless men, out-rigging has truly pushed my limits, both physically and mentally in the best way possible.  Joining in 2010 after a season of dragon boating, out-rigging was the only answer to feeding the love I have for the ocean and my competitive tendencies. You never step into the same ocean twice, every wave and ripple is different which is what makes this sport, and each race impossibly exhilarating. 

I look forward to participating in the 2011 races, both locally and internationally with our amazing HK crew, whom I continue to learn from. As the membership officer, I have the privilege of welcoming you to our wonderful club, and being the first to say ‘I told you so’ when you too become addicted.

See you on the water