Outrigger Kathy Barsby wins gold at IVF World Distance Championships

Still on a high after again winning gold for Australia at a world championship, Rocky outrigger Kathy Barsby has shared her journey to the “exhilarating” top and what’s next.

Rocky Outrigger Canoe Club's Kathy Barsby is now a two-time world champion in the sport.

Kathy Barsby has always been one to chase her dreams.

Her unrelenting quest means that at age 51, she can lay claim to being a two-time world outrigging champion.

The Rockhampton mother-of-four was part of the six-member Australian Masters 50 team that won gold at the recent IVF World Distance Championships in Samoa.

It comes four years after the Rocky Outrigger Canoe Club member celebrated victory with the Australian Masters 40 crew at the 2019 worlds at Mooloolaba.

“It was exhilarating,” Barsby said of her most recent win.

Rockhampton's Kathy Barsby (second from right) and her Australian Masters 50 teammates celebrate their gold-medal winning performance at the IVF World Distance Championships.

“It’s a great feeling to do all that training and come away with gold and achieve your goal.

“It also feels pretty special to be able to say you’re a two-time world champion.”

A long-time paddler, Barsby was “reinvigorated” to get back into competition in 2017 while chaperoning the Australian under-19 team which included her daughter Melinda.

She set her sights on the world championships, embarking on an intensive training regime that would get her there – twice.

Barsby hopes her achievements have helped to inspire her four daughters.

“It doesn’t matter your age; it comes down to how much you want it,” she said.

Kathy Barsby (second from back) and her Australian Masters 50 teammates power through the water on their way to victory. Photo: International Va'a Federation

“And it doesn’t have to be a sporting goal, it can be an ‘anything’ goal.

“Do things that make you happy, that you enjoy.”

Barsby was joined in Samoa by fellow Central Queensland paddlers Alani England, Kyelee Stanley, Charlie Rickertt, Samantha Price-Rees and Darren Keily, who were all competing at their first world championships.

Stanley and Price-Rees won bronze with the Masters 40 women’s team, while the three others gained invaluable experience at the event, in particular Kennedy who is just 16.

Twenty-seven countries attended, with Australia finishing fifth on the medal tally with five gold and three bronze.

Kyelee Stanley and Samantha Price-Rees (right of photo) sporting their bronze medals at the IVF World Distance Championships.

Barsby’s winning teammates were Sue Lockwood, Emma Morgan, Robyn Saultry, Kylie William and Stacey Phillis.

Barsby said she was lucky enough to be part of another amazing team of strong women who stood together and supported each other throughout their journey to the ultimate prize.

And they were tested along the way with team captain and coach Robyn Saultry losing her partner Danny Topfer a day after they learned of their national selection.

“We found out good news one day and tragic news the next,” Barsby said.

“It was really hard working through that but on the other side, it helped give Robyn some direction and somewhere to channel her energy.”

The Australians covered the 24km circuit in 2.47:43, almost three minutes faster than second-placed USA.

Their time was the fastest of any women’s team across all divisions.

Alani England (third from left) was the youngest of the Central Queensland contingent who competed at the IVF World Distance Championships in Samoa.

The competitive fire still burns for Barsby, who is now gearing up for national sprints in November and the Sydney Harbour Challenge in February next year.

She is also helping mentor fellow Rocky club member England as she trains towards a start in the V1 (the rudderless one-person outrigger) at the world sprints.

“We’ve got our Australian qualifying team sprints in November this year with a view to going to Hilo, Hawaii, for world sprints in August next year,” Barsby said.

“Now that I’m helping Alani train for that, I’m thinking maybe I should try as well.

“Sacrifices are always made on these journeys but the rewards are worth it.”

Originally published as Outrigger Kathy Barsby wins gold at IVF World Distance Championships