Across Bass Strait in six person outrigger canoes.

The plan is to paddle two OC6 (six person) outrigger canoes across Bass Strait to raise awareness and money for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. These will be the first outrigger canoes to cross Bass Strait. The crossing is also being made to honour two men.

Peter Corbishley has been building racing outrigger canoes in Australia for the past 20 years, he has made over 300 OC6 canoes and as an example of his skill in building these canoes many of his first canoes are still in use and continue to be raced today. 95% of the OC6 canoes in Australia were bult by Peter.

He has made an enormous contribution to the sport here in Australia and his canoes have even been exported to teams in Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Tahiti, Samoa and New Zealand. After making canoes for many years in his factory in the Whitsundays Peter moved his operation down to Tweed Heads and it was here he finally picked up a paddle and began training and competing in the sport he has contributed so much to.

Earlier last year Peter was diagnosed with Non Hodgkinsons T-Cell Lymphoma a rare and terminal form of skin cancer. As a sign of respect and to honour Peter's contribution to the sport the plan is to paddle with Peter in one of the canoes he has made across Bass Strait. Peter will be part of the crew to raise awareness for cancer and to raise money in aid of Cancer research and to also prove that there is life after diagnosis.

The trip is also being made in honour of Chris Robinson, a paddler and world renowned Greenpeace skipper and activist who sadly lost his battle with cancer this year. Chris devoted his life to protect the oceans from whaling activities, nuclear testing and exploitation.

Seabreeze member rambooc1 will be part of the team, and will be producing a documentary on the "Crossing".  Read Rambos live blog about the event.

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