A PROPOSED Redlands whitewater centre could help uncover the next Jess Fox while delivering a broader health and community legacy, Paddle Australia leaders say.
Speaking at Champion Redlands Coast’s Paddle Up Australia forum, Paddle Australia CEO Kim Crane said the sport should bring people together beyond traditional club or discipline boundaries.
“We don’t want to necessarily always define ourselves as an ocean paddler, a slalom paddler or a sprint paddler,” Ms Crane said.
“What we share is this absolute passion for being on the water and being in the environment.”
Ms Crane said the facility could create pathways for young athletes and community paddlers alike.
“Not only will we find the next Jess Fox – and I can’t wait for that day – but Jess has transcended the sport,” she said.
“She is such a character and such an international leader in her own right now that she is bigger than our sport.”
Ms Crane said the Olympic champion’s continued involvement at grassroots level was a model for the type of legacy Redlands could create.
“She was sitting on the bank at Penrith with her club, with a clipboard, judging the local club competition,” Ms Crane said.i
Paddle Australia has also worked with university experts on a social-return-on-investment model, which Ms Crane said calculated paddle activity could produce a $93 million health-budget offset.
Paddle Australia’s Richard Fox, father of Jessica and Noemie, said the partnership behind Sydney’s Penrith Whitewater Stadium showed what could be achieved when a Council and sporting body worked together.
“We were off the program and then we were back on it, thanks to great work from the international community and Penrith City Council,” Mr Fox said.
“The role of Council was huge. We partnered as a sport with Penrith City Council.”
Paddle Australia President and Chair Andrew Trim said another world-class venue would strengthen Australia’s ability to attract international events.
“Having two world-class venues in Australia allows us to bring more events,” Mr Trim said, urging Redlands residents to publicly support the proposal.
“When you see something about the whitewater centre come up, post online about it, back it and support it.
“In the Redlands, there are certain groups that don’t like anything to happen.
“But if we want to develop, if we want to give things for our kids to have and to do, there are so many things this will be useful for.
“We need a louder voice in support of the development.”
Paddle Australia is exploring a campaign to bring the 2030 World Paddle Games to South East Queensland.
