Founded officially in July 2010 with the first meeting, Southside Paddlers is the newest sprint canoe club in Australia. The club actually started unofficially in late 2009.
The club logo represents a sprint kayaker, racing on the river at Dawn or Sunset, the swoosh of the paddle spray forming an S ( for Southside). Our club colours Red/Orange/Yellow and the base colours of black and white.
The club was founded by Brian Trouville ( Level 2 Flatwater Canoe Coach) and Rod Smith ( Level 1 Flatwater Canoe Coach) two highly experienced coaches with a passion for kayaking. Rod retired after three years in 2013. Both made a commitment to developing teenagers and young adults into competent life long paddlers. Assisting Brian with the management of the club are a group of parents and friends
Brian is highly accredited, representing Australia as coach at 4 Olympics, 3 of which he was head coach (Montreal, 1976 Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996 ) and held the position of Head Coach of Australian Canoeing for many years. Brian is involved with ski paddling and surf life saving and is a Life Member of North Cronulla SLSC. What he doesn’t know about paddling isn’t worth knowing and combined with his life skills is our living treasure.
Rod, now retired from the club in a coaching capacity, but is still a life member and has dedicated much of his passion for the outdoors and kayaking to our youth since his 50’s. Rod’s paddling high would be his journey down the Murray River – Paddle for Kids.
The club calls the western bank of the Woronora River at Woronora home, starting with 2 containers and a handful of basic k1’s and TK1’s for beginners to learn to paddle. The club evolved to provide paddlers to learn and train to an elite level in sprint canoe. Woronora is a great location for coaching and paddling with the bridge and man made walkway along the western bank, almost like a Race course.
Southside Paddlers first committee includes, Brian Trouville – President, Rod Smith – Member on Committee, David Polson – Vice President, Yvette Graf – Secretary, Lorrae Thomson – Treasurer, Ross Smith – Public Officer, Alan Thomson – Member on Committee.
Southside Paddlers first life member in 2010 is John Farrell. Also now life members are Brian Trouville and Rod Smith.
First club race/time trial 8 January 2011, First Breakfast Race 5 February 2011. The rest of our history is being created, read the news pages and newsletters on this website!