Burley Griffin Canoe Club (BGCC)

Burley Gryphon Canoe Club (BGCC) is a dynamic sports club located in Canberra, Australia. The club offers various activities for paddling enthusiasts of all levels, with a special focus on Canoe Polo. For those interested in joining the Canoe Polo team, they can contact Laura at BGCC Canoe Polo.

For individuals who are new to paddling and want to give it a try, the club holds “Taste of Paddling” sessions. These sessions are designed for non-members and require bookings in advance. The cost for each session is $120 per person. Patricia can be contacted for further information.

During these sessions, participants will have the opportunity to try out different types of boats, learn about equipment, basic paddling techniques, entry and exit techniques, as well as basic capsize procedures. It is required that participants have the ability to swim at least 50 metres. The sessions take place on the calm waters of the Molonglo River, close to shore.

In 2024, BGCC will host the prestigious Paddle Australia Canoe Polo National Championships at Molonglo Reach, ACT. This event will take place over the Easter weekend and promises to attract top athletes from across the nation. BGCC has a strong reputation in this sport, with the ACT team being crowned double National Champions in 2023.

Apart from Canoe Polo, the club also hosts several annual regional and national events, including The Mudcake Challenge in March, held in Nowra, and The Nambucca Header over the June Long Weekend in Nambucca Heads. In addition, BGCC organises various summer series events in both Canberra and Sydney over the domestic season.

Time trials are held at Molonglo Reach, where participants do one or two laps on the Molonglo River. The two-lap paddlers start at 6 pm, while the one-lap paddlers start at 6:10 pm. After the paddle, participants can enjoy a food spread prepared by Maria on the first Wednesday of each month. The club is always looking for apprentice time-keepers and catering hands, and there are incentive prizes for the most improved or for other good deeds.

Helen can provide further details.

For those interested in past results, Kolya Cook, Andy Osborne, and Ali Thwaites have demonstrated impressive performances in recent time trials. For a complete list of results, members can click on the corresponding heading.

BGCC's flagship event, the 24 Hour Paddling Challenge, is set to take place on Saturday, November 11th, and Sunday, November 12th, 2023. Participants have the option to paddle for the full 24 hours or choose the 16-hour option to allow for an evening break. The challenge is open to paddlers aged 15 years and older, and participants can compete solo or as part of a relay team. Early bird fees are available for juniors, students, adults, and seniors until Monday, November 6th.

Late entries will be subject to an additional $30 fee. Juniors below 15 years old are allowed to participate but have specific time restrictions on the course.

Join BGCC and experience the thrill of paddling in a vibrant and inclusive community. Whether you want to compete at a national level or simply enjoy the sport with friends, BGCC offers something for everyone.