Get to know us
We started as a small group of Central Coast dog enthusiasts just getting out into the bush with our dogs. We are all ages, all shapes, all levels of fitness, and our dogs are the same. We believe in giving our dogs as much biological fulfillment as possible. We provide a safe environment for everyone to enjoy all the benefits of our awesome activities.
Did I mention that we love our dogs?
Our mission
To enhance the lives of dogs and their humans by participating in canihiking and canicross.
Our vision
We want to see dogs (and their humans) live better lives. Our goal is to get you off the couch, off the streets, and into the forest. We want to see more people hiking and running in our local State Forests. We want to work with local communities to look after and clean up forgotten bushland areas. We want to learn more about the land on which we run. We want to see more young people getting into our sport. We want to see large fun dog centered events. We want people to see just how much dogs can do for us. We want to see a greater acceptance of dogs integrating into our communities.
Our Committee
Our strength lies in our individuality.
We are here for our dogs.
We are here for you, and your dogs.
Robert Ober
President
Naomi Boyd
Vice President
Daniel Murphy
Secretary
Joe Long
Treasurer
Hey, I'm Daniel. I've grown up my whole life with dogs and see them so much more than just a backyard pet.
In my spare time I love staying active, with a sweet spot for endurance type events. But anything that gets me out in the wild is my happy place.
So when I found out I could join my love of the outdoors, keeping fit, and having my best mate Chase (my 2 year old Koolie) with me to experience it all, I was over the moon. I went to my first canicross event and have been hooked ever since.
I'm Robert, in my younger days I was a back of the pack Triathlete, Mountain biker, and Kayaker. I'd been fairly inactive for a while, our Doberman puppy Malee changed everything. I wasn't a big fan of running but she converted me, then we discovered canicross & scootering. We started racing in 2019 and I haven't looked back. Australia is a bit behind with dog sports and activities, I decided to change that and with the help of some awesome people, founded this club in 2023. I now run with my crazy GSP/GWP Arya
Luce Long
General Committee
I'm Lucy, a Brit living in the Sutherland Shire. I've been passionate about running since I was at school and always dreamed of having a dog to run with. Now, I have Sid, my 18-month-old Kelpie, who loves joining me for parkrun and Canicross. She’s full of energy, loves playing fetch, and is always up for a cuddle when we’re not on the move.
Sharnie Connell
General Committee
I'm Sharnie, a dog trainer who is passionate about ensuring our dogs are given adequate biological fulfillment and enrichment opportunities. As such the sport of Canicross was a natural progression for me. I love spending time in nature running and hiking with my two dogs Baaka and Tigger and ‘The Canicross Club has helped us take this passion to the next level with the competition side of things. As far as dog sports go, canicross is accessible for most people and dogs, your dog doesn’t even need to be able to walk nicely on leash, in fact not being able to is an advantage. Running is so natural to dogs and I love how my dogs significantly increase my run speed time by pulling me along the trail and help me keep going when it gets hard, especially up the hills.
Hi, I’m Joe, the club’s new Treasurer.
I got into canicross thanks to my wife Lucy’s love of running, and I’ve stayed hooked because of my love for the bush, the connection I’ve built with my kelpie Sid, and the eclectic community of friendly dog people that make this sport so special. There’s nothing better than a weekend morning on the trails with great company, both two-legged and four.
Andrea Purnomo
General Committee
Elliot Dawson
General Committee
Mikhail Orpilla
General Committee
I’m Ed and my running partner is Little Minx, an American Staffy who we rehomed from Sydney Dogs and Cats Home along with her bonded sibling, Whisky.
We live on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and attend club races as much as possible.
Hey, I’m Dre (Andrea), I never actually liked running, but love every second running with our dogs. I run with Kira, our rescue kelpie who found her place in competition canicross, bikejoring and dryland mushing after completely failing at herding sheep. You’ll also find us with our mini Aussie shepherd, Chino, mountain biking on dog-friendly trails and bikepacking on multi-day trips around Australia.
I’m Mikhail and have a ‘hopefully’ healthy obsession with discovering ways humans and dogs can adventure and enjoy the outdoors together. Active dogs love active lifestyles, and being a resident in Sydney’s Inner West meant finding a balance between density and activity. I bikejor, dogpack, canicross, and dryland mush with our Kelpie, Kira, and am accepting the reality that our Mini Aussie Shepherd, Chino, is leaning towards a chilled out lifestyle centred around food, frisbee, and bike rides where she enjoys sitting in a padded crate!