The foundation members of Counties Eastern Outrigger Canoe Club (CEO) share a collective wealth of over thirty years in the sport and are training from Ian Shaw Park on Panama Road.

This new club; an initiative spearheaded by Rochelle Hartley and Yvette Bush both originating from Pakuranga Outrigger Canoe Club share illustrious careers within this sport. Rochelle held positions within Pakuranga O.C.C. such as Club Secretary, Club Coach, Junior Development Co-Coordinator and Safety Officer and Yvette Bush was instrumental in setting up Pakuranga O.C.C. and held the position of Club Secretary.

Both women were also members of the Pakuranga Mates Open Womens team that won gold medals at 2003 Sprint National Championships in the 6man 500m and 1500m division. A feat that has not been achieved before and a silver medal in the open wmns 12man 500m division. They have also won medals in many other national events and with this winning form in mind, CEO intend to carry on this tradition.

If you ask these women why they have set up CEO, there answer will be simply, that it is time to move on.

Official club/race colours for CEO are a modern combination of primarily white, fusion green and electric blue. These colours were specifically chosen because the blue and white and green represent Counties Manukau and the brightness of the colours were chosen so that canoes/teams can be seen, encompass safety.

What do CEO look forward to in the future?
Club launch - Corporate Races to be held at Panmure Basin, November 30 starting at 10am. All welcome. Registration is needed.

Of course there is the 2004 NZ Sprint Nationals held at Lake Karapiro in January and the 2004 Sprint World Championships which is held in Hawaii in August and there is also the other opportunities like coaching youth/community groups and promoting a healthy, smokefree lifestyle.

CEO are sourcing sponsorship possibilities and are prepared to work hard to fundraise.

If your business/company would like to give Outrigger Canoeing a "go", we invite you to enter this event. For any enquiries, please contact Race Director Rochelle Hartley 025 358 219

We are new, excited and can't wait to see you out there on the water.