The local duo will line up as Port Macquarie hosts this weekend’s national outrigging titles, simply hoping to “get out and get going” when they join 60 other crews in the OC2 division.

“They’re quite big starts and the challenge is to get the break and get away so you don’t have collisions,” Newman said.

“Sometimes it’s more good luck than good management; sometimes it depends on the seas, the conditions and you’ve got to be really focused.

“We’re looking to get out of there as quickly as we can. We’re chasing waves all weekend.”

Port Macquarie’s picturesque coastline will be the location.

Lovering said they had done up to 70 kilometres worth of training each week in the lead-up to the titles which allowed them to finetune their tactics.

“We have been practising technique and trying to eat correctly to make sure we’ve got proper fuel in the body to burn when we go out on the water,” she said.

“I’ve been paddling now for about six years; I got introduced through Karen and other members of the club.

“It’s just really lovely to be out on the water, but also to go out into the ocean and battle the elements like the waves, the wind, the tide and current.”

The ability to work well as a pairing was the most important aspect of paddling and the duo know “you are only as strong as your weakest link.”

“Being in a double with Karen is great because you’re working with each other,” Lovering said.

“You put in the hard work so you want to make sure you’re also nourishing yourself at the same time.

“As long as you’re feeding yourself properly and exercising you’re not going to deteriorate and peter out at the end when you need that extra boost of energy.”

Port Macquarie Maroro Outrigger Canoe Club president Wes Byrnes said the club was thrilled to be hosting their first national titles and was determined to put on a great show.

“We are thrilled that some of the biggest names in the sport are coming to Port Macquarie for this event, and in outrigger paddling there is no bigger name than Kai Bartlett,” he said.

“Kai has won the world’s most prestigious outrigger race, the 52-kilometre Molokai Solo, on five occasions and holds the Molokai Relay record.

“His company, Kai Wa’a, has designed and built a number of the canoes paddled by our members here in Port Macquarie.

“He will also be running a clinic on Friday afternoon.”

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