The paddlers
Brendan Condon
Nickname: Brendo
Age: 40
Occupation: Managing Director Australian Ecosystems, Cape Paterson Ecovillage, Climate Positive
Currently living in: Melbourne, VIC
Club you paddle for: Melbourne Outrigger Canoe Club
Why you are paddling in the crossing for cancer?
Cancer is a perennial scourge of humanity and impacts on the lives of everyone. I am paddling in memory of my friend Chris Robinson – last year he skippered a support boat and shepherded us across Bass Strait in seakayaks and then was diagnosed with cancer. He will be with us in spirit across the voyage. We need to find a cure for cancer as soon as possible and this trip will help give our best scientific brains a bit more support to that end.
Any other comment you wish to make about the project or outrigger paddling or anything really?
I am looking forward to participating in this great adventure and getting out into the great and little known Bass Strait Island wilderness areas with a great team.
Peter John Corbishley 
Nickname: Pete
Age: 55
Occupation: Outrigger Canoe Builder
Currently living in: Tweed Heads, NSW
Club you paddle for: Tweed Heads Outrigger Club
Why you are paddling in the crossing for cancer?
Never been to Tasmania and what better way to prove there is life after diagnosesis.
Any other comment you wish to make about the project or outrigger paddling or anything really?
And if by helping to raise money someone in the future is helped, I will feel I have contributed.
Colin Bartley
Nickname: Barts
Age: 45
Occupation: Graphic Designer
Currently living in: Mandurah, WA
Club you paddle for: Mandurah Outrigger Canoe Club
Why you are paddling in the crossing for cancer?
For my long time friend and business partner Pete.
Any other comment you wish to make about the project or outrigger paddling or anything really?
I’ve always wanted to paddle across Bass Strait and now to do it for such a worthwhile cause is going to make it an even greater accomplishment. Baggs Steering!
Lisa Spain
Nickname: Spaino
Age: 34
Occupation: Finance
Currently living in: Elwood, VIC
Club you paddle for: Melbourne Outrigger Canoe Club
Why you are paddling in the crossing for cancer?
3 main reasons why I am wanting to paddle across to Tasmania:
- I have always wanted to paddle across as a personal accomplishment
- Paddle for cancer awareness and help fundraise
- To promote Outrigger paddling and hope to recruit members and grown our sport in Victoria
Marie Jane Pearson 
Nickname: Mars
Age: Master Category
Occupation: Sales Rep
Currently living in: Melbourne, VIC
Club you paddle for: Melbourne Outrigger Canoe Club
Why you are paddling in the crossing for cancer?
Because this is an innovative way to raise awareness and funds for Cancer Research. Paddling across Bass Strait is a way in which I can contribute to the fight against cancer.
Chris McKiernan
Nickname: Christo
Age: 36
Occupation: M.D. Red Star Coffee
Currently living in: Melbourne, VIC
Club you paddle for: Melbourne Outrigger Canoe Club
Why you are paddling in the crossing for cancer?
Cancer sufferers are all around us and we need to continue raising awareness, raising funds and find a cure for this disease.
Any other comment you wish to make about the project or outrigger paddling or anything really?
Everybody involved in putting together this paddle has been touched directly or indirectly by cancer. From the skipper of the support boat to the actual paddlers participating who are current sufferers. It is a great cause in memory for those we have already lost, and those currently fighting the disease.
Jason Shepherd
Nickname: Jase
Age: 32
Occupation: Environmental Scientist
Currently living in: Melbourne, VIC
Club you paddle for: Melbourne Outrigger Canoe Club (president)
Why you are paddling in the crossing for cancer?
Firstly it is great to be able to participate and contribute to a such a worthy cause, renewing awareness around the big C, something that will affect us all in some way in our lifetime. But to do so while being able to be part of a fantastic adventure on the high seas shared with great friends and new friends makes this opportunity too good to miss.
Any other comment you wish to make about the project or outrigger paddling or anything really?
Thanks to everyone who has put in the work to make this project a reality.
Terrence Russell
Nickname: Tez
Age: 53
Occupation: Panel Beater
Currently living in: Mandurah, WA
Club you paddle for: Mandurah Outrigger Canoe Club
Why you are paddling in the crossing for cancer?
Having been touched personally by a relative who had cancer and a friend struggling at present, it has driven me to want to help in what ever way I can. The challenge of paddling the Bass Strait would be an achievement that I would never forget.
Any other comment you wish to make about the project or outrigger paddling or anything really?
What a great idea and project to achieve a wonderful gift and promote the sport of outrigging national and internationally.
Gert Herremnn Christensen 
Nickname: The Great Dane
Age: 50
Occupation: Floor and wall tiler
Currently living in: Currumbin Waters, QLD
Club you paddle for: Tweed Coast Outriggers
Why you are paddling in the crossing for cancer?
Peter is a great mate of mine and a great bloke anything to help him out and just for the love of the sport.
John Huber 
Age: 40
Occupation: General Manager
Currently living in: Hamilton Island, QLD
Club you paddle for: Hamilton Island Outrigger Canoe Club
Why you are paddling in the crossing for cancer?
This is a great cause and a great way to help raise awareness and support for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. So many of us have had our lives touched by cancer but do not often find away to get involved or help. Here is a way that by committing to and undertaking a challenge we can help support those that are battling through the biggest challenge of their lives.
Ian Newland 
Nickname: Rambo
Age: 55
Occupation: Full time paddler, part time worker
Currently living in: Mooloolaba, QLD
Club you paddle for: Mooloolaba Outrigger Canoe Club
Why you are paddling in the crossing for cancer?
Raise awareness, honor two couragious people, adventure, document the trip on video, and promote outrigger paddling.
Any other comment you wish to make about the project or outrigger paddling or anything really?
I hope we all have a safe crossing and treasure the moments.
Alison Green 
Age: 36
Occupation: Environmental Consultant
Currently living in: Gladstone, QLD
Club you paddle for:
Well socially Im a member of Canoe Point but Im also a racing Member of Outrigger Whitsunday. The girls from Whitsunday are planning a Molokai crossing in September so I wanted to race with them during the year and still support my local club so have dual membership.
Why you are paddling in the crossing for cancer?
I am a Tasmanian by birth and wanted to paddle back to where I was born. So many friends of mine have lost loved ones to cancer or are still battling. If I can help by combining my great passion for outrigging with coming back to my birth place and raising caner awareness then thats a pretty good match to me. Its a paddle of a lifetime and I do not want to regret not doing things with my life.
Any other comment you wish to make about the project or outrigger paddling or anything really?
I’m a bit nervous about the temperature! I’ve been running around in +35 degree heat all summer. I’m really looking forward to that what to bring list! Score to date is about 30 to 40 people who are shocked and concerned about the crossing (the Sydney-Hobart crossing disaster always comes up) to 1 person who asked if we were island hopping and said it would be a good time of the year (he was a Tasmanian).
Marcel Mangelsdorf
Age: 58
Occupation: Dentist
Currently living in: Tweed Heads, QLD
Club you paddle for: Tweed Heads Outrigger Canoe Club
Why you are paddling in the crossing for cancer?
Raise Peter Corbishley is my paddling buddy and friend.
I have lost four members of my immediate family to cancer. My father at age 64, my sister at 41, my brother in law at 53 and my mother in her 80’s (brain tumour).S
Stephanie Jaques
“If you find Stephanie Jaques standing still then get your eyes tested. This girl must have a small nuclear reactor as her power source. Beware any man or women who challenges her in a physical test. Stephanie has been involved in the world of paddling for 12 years. As a dragon boat paddler Stephanie was a member of the Australian team at the world dragon boat titles. Stephanie has been on the AOCRA N.S.W. Zone committee for the last 5 years performing the onerous task of registrar . She is a passionate supporter of the sport of outrigger canoeing and has coached many teams not only to be good paddlers but especially on how to enjoy the sport. Steph loves nothing better than steering a committed team of paddlers around a big wave course. The crossing of Bass Straight will be a big challenge but undoubtedly not be the last of Steph’s adventures. Steph is also humbled by the opportunity to participate in the first outrigger canoe crossing of Bass Straight , raise money for cancer research and honour two men who have contributed so much to the sport of paddling.”
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