Hello PaddleNSW Member and enthusiasts,
2018 has been a remarkable and significant year for Paddle NSW. It was a year in which Paddle Australia rebranded and continued the embrace of grass-roots participation upwards. It was a year in which so many of our members excelled – either at international, national, state or club level. And quite frankly it was the year of JESSICA FOX. Our newsletters have extolled the enormous world-class exploits of Jess in 2018. I’m sure when our newsletter editor Maya Gibson returns from holiday the January edition will include more articles. I won’t repeat all the achievements and all the accolades. What I will endorse is what a fabulous person Jess is both on and away from the water. She is a magnificent role-model for all paddlers, an inspirational ambassador for women’s sport and for paddling, and a great friend of PaddleNSW. It is never easy to repeat such an earth-shattering and record-breaking year, however we all wish you the best in 2019 Jess.
Away from the podium our clubs, our PNSW Paddlesports and all the hard-working volunteers did another superb job in providing numerous opportunities for seasoned and new paddlers to enjoy our sport and recreation. We welcomed four new clubs in 2018 and I salute all office-bearers for giving their time and commitment to ensure paddlers statewide can hop on the water in a safe, fair and enjoyable environment. Thank you to all.
The year wasn’t without upsets. We lost loved ones in tragic circumstances and remember them so very fondly. We grieve with their families and support them in times ahead just as a loving community always does.
When we return, the 2019 event calendar is already filling. PNSW State Sprint Champs at SIRC (19-20 January), Parra Paddlefest (3 Feb), international level slalom and freestyle activity at PWS, plus of course the return of the popular PNSW Harbour Series and PNSW Marathon Series. Stay tuned for more from Maya.
On behalf of Chairperson Bob Turner and the entire PNSW Board, I hope everybody enjoyed a fabulous Christmas and I wish all our members, their families and friends a safe and prosperous New Year.
Paddle safely. Cheers, Peter Tate – PNSW CEO
