The Bayside Blog
What's Happening at Bayside
By
Caroline Bernard
Honouring a Legend: Dave Mason
Brisbane OCC held a special canoe blessing to recognise two legends of the sport that sadly passed away this year; Danny Topfer of Brisbane OCC and our very own Bayside Founder and all around legend, Dave Mason.
The event was supported by founder, Cie Mason, Monica Wharehinga and Benton Wharehinga who performed the karakia (canoe blessing). Thank you to everyone that attended the event. It was a poignant reminder of the impact that Dave has had on the sport of outrigger not only within our club but across the waters.
"Hi, my name is Deborah and I’m a friend of Dave and Cie Mason and an ex Bayside OCC member.
My partner, Harley Howearth, and I have recently purchased an OC6. We would like to honour Dave, and our connection and friendship with him by way of including his name on our new canoe. It would be our privilege to forever remember Dave’s commitment to his beloved sport of outrigging and his much appreciated support of Brisbane OCC after the sudden loss of their much loved Danny ‘Toppy’ Topfer. Our friend Benny Kappi was touched and overwhelmed when Dave refused Benny’s offer to assist Bayside financially after Bayside‘s support of a memorial farewell for Toppy. Bayside club provided Brisbane OCC with canoes, support boats, equipment, assistance from your welcoming and supportive club members and the time and the space to farewell their Toppy. And of course not forgetting the enormous amount of food/kai! Dave was adamant that he would not accept the money as he said we are ‘whanau and that’s what whanau do’ for each other. This gave Brisbane the much appreciated and valuable opportunity to focus all of their attention on the farewell service and to grieve their loss for which they will be forever grateful".
ABOUT
Bayside Outrigger Canoe Club (Bayside OCC) is a great sporting club based in the Redland Bay, paddling the beautiful waters of Raby Bay, Cleveland. Our aim is to create a family orientated club, focused on fun, fitness, pride and respect.
