Andrew Buzacott – new Director of Fairfield Canoe Club

Andrew became involved with FCC through his two sons who took up kayaking at Trinity. After watching them for a while, other parents and Andrew thought that it looked like fun and came down to the Club to do the beginner and other training sessions. This lead to the  Winter series and other races and the Murray Marathon - all lots of fun, even when sinking, capsizing and being beaten by everyone.  Since then Julietta and Jim have become involved in Canoe Polo and Hugh is thinking about a comeback to paddling once his exams are over.

Until recently Andrew was a project manager with WorkSafe but is now looking for a different direction. At the moment Andrew is doing all the things that he likes doing – bike riding, running, paddling, yoga, pilates, gardening and volunteering for some worthy causes. One day Andrew thinks he just might get around to cleaning the windows but perhaps not........

With regard to FCC Andrew enjoys the spirit and energy shown by others as it helps to take him out of his comfort zone - for example, at the recent 5 km and 10 km Sprints at Patterson Lakes where the weather was appalling, cold, pelting rain and strong winds, the enthusiasm of others helped get him out there and competing for the Club.

When asked about the strengths and weaknesses of the club Andrew considered the people, their joy of paddling band their encouragement of others as the main strengths whilst the main weakness is that there is lots we could do and so little time to do it.

Andrew has taken on the role of Secretary for the Club and hopes to continue to contribute to the great work the Board has been doing to deeply ingrain the good governance of the Club.

Racing note: Andrew was asked if he had recovered from the thrashing at Essendon in the last race of the season. He noted that as he had not raced in a TC1 for 12 months and having done very little training he thought the 3rd place flattered him. He commented that those who finished ahead of him were very experienced and in top form and those that finished behind him only did so because they had just got out of hospital (believe it or not)
 

(adapted from a interview by Tony Payne. Club newsletter November 2011)