Made of 98 per cent silica, the sand at Whitehaven Beach is so pure it never gets hot under your feet. Even the scientists are unsure how it came to be so pristine, but The Sinkers Masters Swim club isn’t asking any questions, they’re just planning to host the Whitehaven Open Water swim on the King’s Birthday long weekend, October 5th 2025.

Choose from a 500m, 1km or 2km swim with medals to be presented on Whitehaven Beach.

Come prepared for a day of fun in the sun topped off by the after party at Northerlies. A courtesy bus is available to and from any location in Airlie.

Discounted accommodation is available at Club Croc Airlie Beach.

Event Details:

• Full-day return trip from Shute Harbour to Whitehaven Beach
• Enjoy 4 hours of beach time at stunning Whitehaven
• Registration opens at 6:00am | Return by 3:00pm
• Lunch included
• Official event shirts available for purchase

Open to all swimmers aged 18+.
Registrations close 28 September 2025.
Entries are capped – secure your spot early!

There’s no shade on Whitehaven and facilities are limited, so think of it as part swim meet and part tropical expedition.  Pack smart, swim strong and get ready for an epic day in Paradise.

Information and registration details via the Whitehaven Open Water Swim Facebook page.

‍

The Sinkers Masters Swim Club will host the Whitehaven Open Water Swim on October 5, 2025, offering 500m, 1km, and 2km swim events at the iconic Whitehaven Beach as part of a full-day experience in tropical paradise. Photos supplied

‍

BRIDGE

Mackay Novice Pairs 2025

Sixteen Novice Pairs competed for the title of Mackay Novice Pairs 2025 and red points on Sunday. It was fantastic to see so many brave new players participating in the event. Although scary playing in competitions at first, it’s like any sport or game, the more we play, the better we get!

Congratulations to Mary Cruickshank and Geoff Cowan taking out first place with Annie Lynch and Ann Whitmore as runners up.

Weekly Results

Monday 7 June 2025 –- 6 Table Mitchell Green Points
N/S E/W
1st Janelle Conroy / Terry Sheedy 1st Helen Van Den Broek / Jan Harris
2nd Geoff Taylor / Nancy Martin 2nd Noel Bugeia / Geoffrey Patterson
3rd Jayne Johnstone / Eric Goodchild 3rd Barbara Tait / Margaret Lane

Tuesday Evening 8 July 2025 – 6 Table One Winner Green Points
1st Noel Bugeia / Eric Goodchild 2nd Helen Van Den Broek / Terry Sheedy
3rd Diane Morgan / Sandra Morris 4th Marilin Robins / Faye Wright

Wednesday 9 July 2025 – Week 13 of 25 NWP - Green Points
N/S E/W
1st Janelle Conroy / Noel Bugeia 1st Terry Sheedy / Lorna Shuttlewood
2nd Joy Robinson / Robert Carless 2nd Eric Goodchild / Debra Goodchild
3rd Anne Lutz / Gwen Liddell 3rd Sandra Morris / Jan Harris.

Thursday Evening 10 July 2025 – 3 Table One Winner Green Points
N/S E/W
1st Martin Pearce / Chris Meyers 2nd Ken Seaniger / Robert Carless

Friday 11 July 2025 –7 Table Mitchell Green Points
N/S E/W
1st Joy Robinson / Geoff Taylor 1st Janine Rodgers / Richard Wix
2nd Debra Goodchild / Lorna Shuttlewood 2nd Victor Mason / Josie Crowley
3rd Griffin Bancroft / Diane Stokes 3rd Helen Van Den Broek / Geoffrey Patterson

Saturday 12 July 2025 – 7 Table One Winner Green Points
1st Debra Goodchild / Eric Goodchild 2nd Helen Van Den Broek / Terry Sheedy
3rd Diane Morgan / Sandra Morris 4th Marilin Robins / Faye Wright
5th Geoff Taylor / Robert Carless 6th Joy Robinson / Ken Seaniger

Saturday 12 July 2025 – Mackay Novice Pairs 2025 – Red Points
1st Mary Cruickshank / Geoff Cowan 2nd Annie Lynch / Ann Whitmore
3rd Sue Meyer Miller / Debbie Ludkin 4th Mary Rose Ramsden / Sandy Patterson
5th Simon Barnes / Rod Miles 6th Lynne O’Neill / Karen Caldwell

Contributed by Joy Block

‍

President Frances with 2025 Novice Pair Winners Mary and Geoff

Novice Pairs Runners up Annie Lynch, Frances and Ann Whitmore

New participates Christine, Glen, Joy, Director Ian, Jayne & Debbie. Photos supplied

‍

Junior cricketers were back in action on Sunday for their first games after a few months off, and what a cracker of a day it was, with the sun shining and excitement all around!

There were two games running at both Walkerston and Harrup Park. Over at Harrup Park, the U17s hit the turf with intent. Matthew Logan lit up the scoreboard with a blistering 100 off just 61 balls before retiring not out! He was well supported by solid contributions from Casey Forrester and Aarnav Reehl, helping the team post a massive 251 from their 30 overs. The opposition fought hard, with Henry Tully showing resilience at the top, and middle-order starts from Ishan, Clancy, and Bodie, but they ultimately fell short by 104 runs.

The afternoon U15 match followed a similar storyline. Flynn Ryan (69) and Lachy Bath (55) both notched up half-centuries before retiring. Some sharp bowling from Lachy Ware(3/19) kept the total to a competitive 176. The Magenta team gave it a crack, but tight bowling – led by Rory Coburn (3/16) – restricted them and they finished 80 runs short.

Meanwhile, out at Walkerston, the vibes were high and the hospitality even better! With a few debutants taking the field, there was no shortage of energy and enthusiasm. All of the newbies got amongst it, taking wickets, holding catches, and getting runs on the board.

The highlight of the day? The birthday boy Hadley, who top-scored in his match and finished not out! After the game, the club celebrated with a rousing Happy Birthday singalong and some well-deserved Zooper Doopers

The club extends a big thank you to all parent volunteers who help make the days possible through scoring, umpiring and supporting from the sidelines.

Players are already looking forward to Round 2 next Sunday!

It’s never too late to join - Register via www.playhq.com

‍

Matthew Logan dazzled with the bat, hammering a rapid-fire century from just 61 deliveries before retiring unbeaten. Photo supplied

‍

A huge congratulations to Proserpine State High School Year 7 student Shailee Mewha, who has achieved an outstanding result at the Queensland Athletics Cross Country Championships, taking home the silver medal in a highly competitive 3km event.

The championships were held last week at Toogoolawah Golf Club, located northwest of Brisbane, where runners tackled a challenging and hilly course. Shailee showed incredible determination, closely shadowing the first-place runner throughout the race and finishing strong to secure second place.

This impressive performance has earned Shailee a well-deserved spot at the upcoming National Cross Country Championships, which will be held in Ballarat, Victoria, this August. Representing Queensland on the national stage is a significant achievement, and one that Shailee set as a personal goal earlier this year.

Before heading to nationals, Shailee will compete again this weekend, representing North Queensland at the Queensland School Cross Country Championships. The event will be held at Nudgee College, where she’ll face many of the same talented athletes from last week’s race.

Shailee’s dedication to her training and her passion for running continues to shine through, and her school community couldn’t be prouder.

Best of luck this weekend, Shailee — and all the best as you prepare to take on the country’s best in Ballarat!

‍

The Tassal Airlie Beach Marathon Festival takes place this weekend of 19/20 July.

The McDonald's Airlie Beach Foreshore Magic Mile will be run along the beachfront at 4:00pm on Saturday with a dash for cash. The winner and podium finishers will take home the cash in the open race with the junior runners competing for gold, silver and bronze medals.

Sunday will see over 600 runners competing in a variety of races from the 42 to 1 km. These races will be run over several laps between the Port of Airlie and Cannonvale Beach.

There are record number of entries in the marathon and half marathon with several past winners defending their titles, namely Liv Compton in the marathon and Claire Ashworth and Billy Grogan in the half marathon.

Two of the Jones boys, Shay and Jayden from Bowen have signed up for the half marathon and are a great chance to make the podium after strong runs in the Mackay Marina Run earlier this year.

The boardwalks and footpaths are expected to be extremely busy between 6:00 am and 11:00 am. There will be approximately forty community volunteers along the course to assist the runners on their chosen journey.

The mascot race with seven entries at 9:45am will provide some welcome relief and entertainment for the kids. Regular competitors Cruiser (turtle) and Blazer (koala) will be challenged by Batman, Troppo, Hoggster, Piggy and a Toothbrush with Toothpaste.

All the races start and finish at the race precinct near the sound stage and movie screen next to the kid’s playground where coffee, ice cream, and a BBQ will be available with music supplied by Whitsunday Entertainment.

The Event Manager, Tim McQuoid-Mason said he would like to thank the community in advance for their support of the festival over the past 12 years and for sharing the foreshore with our competitors from all parts of Australia and the world.

Registrations are still open for anyone who would like to run. Go to www.runairlie.com.au for more information and to register.

Contributed with thanks to Tim McQuoid-Mason

‍

The Tassal Airlie Beach Marathon Festival is this weekend! Photo supplied

‍

Find out at the Coral Sea Marina Resort Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival!

Get ready to feel the energy of the Whitsundays as you dive into the ultimate challenge! The Coral Sea Marina Resort Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival isn't just about setting personal bests; it’s a high-energy friendly competition. This year, we're challenging local businesses, groups of mates, and junior stars to step up and claim the crown for the fastest team in town!

Forget stuffy boardrooms and boring team-building sessions. The triathlon relay is the perfect excuse to put your business’ camaraderie to the test! As your colleagues conquer the swim, bike, and run legs, you'll see collaboration and communication like never before. It’s a powerful way to ignite a healthy, active culture within your workplace and earn year-long bragging rights as the champions of Airlie Beach. This isn't just a race; it’s a chance for your team to share a collective victory that will create lasting memories and 12 months of bragging rights.

The fun isn't just for the workplace! Rally your friends to form a relay team and let everyone shine in their strongest discipline—the speedy swimmer, the powerhouse cyclist, or the relentless runner. It's the perfect way to make the triathlon accessible and enjoy the electric festival atmosphere together. For our rising stars, the Junior Triathlon provides a fantastic opportunity to join the action, build confidence, and discover the thrill of a major multi-sport event.

And for those who want to measure themselves against the best, get ready to be inspired! The Coral Sea Marina Resort Airlie Beach Triathlon is renowned for attracting some of the nation’s top athletes. The Olympic and Sprint distance events draw an elite field, giving you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to race on the same course as the pros. This year, get a front-row seat to the action, as we’re thrilled to announce the attendance of Natalie Van Coevorden from the Australian 2024 Paris Olympics team!

Whether you’re in it for a new adventure, to build a stronger team at work, or simply to take home the title of the fastest team in town, a team entry is your answer.

Tourism Whitsundays team in the Airlie Beach Triathlon last year. Photo Sourced: Coral Sea Marina Resort Airlie Beach Triathlon Festival

‍

The Bowen Polocrosse Club delivered a strong and spirited showing at the recent Nebo Carnival, fielding four chukka teams across all grades and showcasing skill, determination, and true sportsmanship against top teams from around Queensland.

In D Grade, Bowen 4—a young side featuring Rhadaya Bidgood, Addison Odger, and a teammate from Wandoan—gained valuable experience with every match. Their improvement and resilience were clear to all watching.

Bowen 3 stole the show in C Grade, bouncing back from an early loss to dominate the competition and claim the title. The team of John Norman, Matt Hunter, and Ashlea McConnell played with growing confidence, with Ashlea delivering a standout performance on a new horse to earn Best C Grade Player for the weekend.

In B Grade, Bowen 2—made up of Teneale Griggs, Jesse Foster, and Wade Bidgood—fought hard in a tough division, particularly after a challenging opener against Wandoan 1. Though they missed a finals spot, their consistency and sportsmanship didn’t go unnoticed.

Facing off in A Grade, Bowen 1’s Jessie Russell, Adam Burns, and Mick Foster held their own against high-calibre opposition in tightly contested games.

The club’s juniors were also in top form. Mason, Indee, and Isla claimed victory in their division with a strong team effort, while Oliver, Lachy, and Aliah finished as runners-up in theirs.

Bowen now heads to Capella before hosting their home carnival on July 26–27. Don’t miss the Night Chukka on Saturday—free entry, eat street-style food, and games from 6:30pm—a perfect family night out!

Contributed with thanks to Ellisa Hunter

‍

Bowen Junior Winners. Photo supplied

‍

Last Saturday saw Sea Eagles Senior Men and Women head deep into enemy territory to take on Eastern Swans in the gusty and blustery conditions Mackay put on.

Sea Eagles Senior Men had a hard task ahead of them taking on the reigning premiers and top of the table Swans. Sea Eagles came out strong but were inaccurate in front of goal with the Swans leading up until the half time break. Sea Eagles regrouped at half time and had control of the play in the third quarter kicking 4 goals 3 points and taking the lead into the final term. Up against a strong wind Sea Eagles managed another 4 goals in the final term to take out the victory 63 – 47. The win sees Sea Eagles Senior Men keep their finals hopes alive and gain positive momentum pushing towards the finals series.

In a tight contest Sea Eagles Senior Women made their mark in the second quarter kicking 2 goals and keeping Eastern Swans scoreless until the final term. Swans managed a single goal for the game in the last quarter with Sea Eagles holding their lead to add another win to their tally 16 – 6. Sea Eagles Senior Women are showing cohesion and promise this year as each game they gain momentum towards the top of the ladder.

Sea Eagles Senior Men, Senior Women and Under 17s match up against Bakers Creek Tigers at Etwell Park this coming weekend from 10:40am.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Sea Eagles

‍

It’s been another action-packed and inspiring week for bowlers from Airlie Beach Bowls Club, both on and off the green.

At the Para-Powerlifting Nationals on the Gold Coast, our very own Di Jackson took out the bronze medal, proving once again that her wheelchair is no match for her inner strength. Di continues to inspire with every achievement, adding another chapter to her remarkable story.

Back on the green, the Men’s Triples Championship brought some serious drama. After preliminary rounds on Saturday and semi-finals Sunday morning, the final was set. Manny Isgro, Peter Barrett and Andrew Butler—with four previous titles together—were well ahead at 17–6. But in a stunning turnaround, Kevin John Trembath, Alan Pershouse, and Andrew Butler fought back to win 29–19 in a brilliant display of precision and grit.

Tuesday’s Ladies Pennants also delivered impressive results.

Cathryn Remmeswaal, Wendy Pomeroy, Betty Whitehorn, and Betty Nicole defeated Mackay City 23–15.
Carol Crosbie, Regina Aquilina, Ladda Purdie, and Joan McGrath also notched a 23–16 win.
On Wednesday, Alan Pershouse and Betty Whitehorn were the standout performers at social bowls.

Meanwhile, at the Queensland Deaf Bowls Championships at Kawana, Russell Jackson claimed a thrilling 11–8 win in the final end, earning the title of Queensland Champion.

We’ll have Business House Bowls and Scroungers updates next week. Until then, keep rolling and enjoy your week on the green!

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson

‍

Under clear skies and easing winds, the Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club hosted the 2024 Winter Short Course Transition Meet on Saturday at the Cannonvale Swim Centre. The meet welcomed 104 swimmers from 13 clubs across Queensland and provided one of the final chances for athletes to secure qualifying times for the upcoming 2025 Hancock Prospecting Queensland Short Course Championships.

Many swimmers rose to the occasion, posting impressive results, smashing personal bests and taking home a haul of ribbons. A special mention goes to Celeste Orenshaw and Evie Doherty, who took on time trials at the end of a full day of racing and successfully met their goal times. Celeste nailed her 50m Butterfly, while Evie powered home in the 50m Breaststroke — a remarkable feat after a big day of competition.

Top PB performers on the day included Tiana Bell, Eloise Chegwidden, Harris and Tora Delac, Charlie Doherty, Liam Filewood, Roxanne Groom, Ruby Harland, Eric and Leo Mulliss, Dylan Reynolds, Indi Smith, Zach Trefz, and Caleb, Lily, and Zavier Woolston.

We would also like to celebrate Harry Chegwidden, Miller Eaves, Blaire Harland, Indigo Harland, and Faithlyn Trotter who achieved personal best times in every single one of their events — an incredible effort!

It was also a debut carnival for Lennox Wild and Faithlyn Trotter, and we commend them both on representing the Cannons with confidence and enthusiasm.

Finally, a heartfelt thank you goes out to all the families, volunteers, and supporters who contributed to the success of this event. Your time, effort, and enthusiasm are what make meets like this possible.

Contributed with thanks to Jade Korosec

‍

Cannonvale Cannons Swim Team. Photo supplied

‍

It’s been a vibrant and busy week at Wangaratta Bowls Club, with full greens and strong competition across all events.

Monday Triples saw a full field with Jan Harvey, Rodney Barter, and Glenn Harvey claiming victory over S. Farrel, H. Beech-Jones, and K. Pedlar. Runners-up were Glen, Nick, and John, who defeated Neal, Bruce, and Robyn. The jackpot once again went unclaimed.

Tuesday afternoon was a special occasion as the club honoured its Patroness, Merle Elphinstone—our oldest Life Member whose contributions to the club are deeply appreciated. The green was full in her honour. The afternoon’s winners were Allan Gillies, June Paynting, Jan Dawson, and Dave Madden, who overcame Keith S./Collins, Mary Whitebread, Christine Bratz, and Bob Dykstra. The Sportsman’s Prize went to Shirley Smith, Lyn Madden, and Maureen Hyde, despite their defeat by John Hastings, Heidi Reif, and Greg Kelly. The jackpot continues to grow.

In Club Competition Men’s Triples, Ron Hyde, Alby Vigar, and Gavin Charles triumphed over Dave McDonald, Graeme Read, and Neal Chittenden in a solid match.

Fun Friday finished in a tie, with the win awarded on a countback of ends to Neal Chittenden, Al Deterey, and Maureen Hyde, who drew with Ron Hyde, Greg Kelly, and Christina.

Finally, Thursday night was a hit with a full house enjoying entertainment from the Festival of Small Halls Winter Tour, helping bring music and community spirit to our club.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

‍

Winners from, Patroness Day: Dave Madden, June Paynting, Patroness Merle, Jan Harvey & Allan Gillies. Photo supplied

‍

The Lions Club of Whitsunday’s fourth annual Charity Golf Day teed off on Sunday at Whitsunday Green, raising more than $10,000 for local causes.

Proserpine Hospital will once again be the major beneficiary, with additional recipients to be confirmed at later dates.

Golf Committee Chairman Alan Gravelle said the day was a huge success, thanks to generous community support. “It's a long day, but at the end of the day, when you see everyone happy and all the support and positive comments it sort of makes it all worthwhile."

The event was strongly backed by local businesses and regular sponsors, with many returning year after year. Although Amanda Camm MP remained a key supporter of the event.

The Lions Club also runs the weekly Airlie Beach foreshore markets and cruise ship markets, helping raise over $100,000 annually for community and national projects.

Full results from the day to be included in next weeks paper.

‍

Shooter McGavin, Happy Gilmore, Happy Caddy, and Grandma
Wayne Singleton and Mark Strobel
Brett Ruffin, Darren Lloyd, Gary Smith, and Anthony Whyte
Greg Smith and Ken Chilcott
Whitsunday Transit: David, Ben, Ian, and Belinda
Susan McAllister, and Annie Norris

Photo credit: Daniel Heggie

‍

With a feast of events on offer over the weekend, many Mackay Road Runners turned their focus to the prestigious Asics Gold Coast Running Festival, featuring a full marathon (42.2km), half marathon (21.1km), 10km, 5km, and 2km kids’ races across two days of competition.

The Gold Coast was bustling with thousands of runners of all ages and experience levels, many chasing personal bests while others proudly completed their first races.

Several Mackay athletes tackled extraordinary challenges, with Paul MacKenzie, Corey Gould, Chris Brodie, and Brenda Windsor taking on the gruelling “double marathon” – a half marathon on Saturday, followed by the full marathon on Sunday – totalling an impressive 63.3 kilometres.

Mel Esau and Alana Knezevic both conquered their debut marathons in superb fashion, finishing in 4 hours 4 minutes and 3 hours 27 minutes respectively. Meanwhile, MacKenzie, Gould, and Brodie also added the 10km and 5km events to their schedules, with Gould even jumping into the 2km kids’ race for a light-hearted finish.

Paul MacKenzie posted outstanding results across all events, completing the double marathon in a combined time of 4:37:43 (half marathon: 1:25:57, full marathon: 3:11:45), along with a 42:48 in the 10km and a 20:34 in the 5km. MacKenzie said he enjoyed the challenge and was “feeling good, not too tired – just a little fatigued by the final event, the marathon... understandably!”

Also among the standout performers was Mick Vivian, continuing his fine form with an exceptional marathon time of 2:47:47. Other strong marathon performances came from Kay Nyenuh (3:24:39), Russell O’Hara (3:40:58), and local stalwarts Tim Magoffin and Matt Stevens.

In the junior ranks, Malachi Nyenuh impressed in the under-10s category, clocking a swift 20:57 in the 5km to secure sixth place in his age group. Adam Knezevic also ran a consistent 10km, finishing in 50:52 at a steady five-minute-per-kilometre pace.

Locally, the club’s Bluewater Quay Social Run drew a strong turnout despite humid and overcast conditions. Ross McDonnell led the field in the 5km event, with Judy Zahn the first female across the line. In the 10km, Ashley Miles and Andrew Short ran together and tackled the demanding Mt Bassett climb before finishing in sync.

A special thanks went to long-time club supporter and timekeeping expert Rohan Miles and his family, who once again provided invaluable assistance despite facing technical challenges on the day.

The club's next event, a 4pm Mystery Run, will take place this Sunday, with the location and details to be confirmed via Facebook and email during the week.

Club Captain and Life Member Jim Ford continues to offer weekly track sessions each Wednesday at 5.30pm at the Aquatic & Recreation Complex (ARC) in Ooralea. The sessions are free, with a $4 facility entry fee, and are open to runners of all abilities looking to improve speed, endurance, and recovery in a supportive, structured environment.

Gold Coast Marathoners who competed in all events over the weekend inc 42.2km, 21.2km, 10k, 5km with their silverware (left to right) Corey Gould (who also did the 2km); Chris Brodie and Paul MacKenzie (Below image by On The Run) Photos supplied

‍

Kay Nyenuh (centre) on his way to a 3hr 24 min marathon. (image by Steven Hayles)
Congratulations to Mel Esau completing her first Marathon in 4hrs 4 min at the prestigious Gold Coast Running Festival. (image by Steven Hayles)
Steven Hayles at the Gold Coast Kirra parkrun (image by Emily Hayles).
Mackay Road Runners legendary veteran runners (left to right) - Col Hardy, Judy Zahn and Stuart Sprott.
Approximately thirty runners and supporters had a great time at the Mackay Bluewater Quay social 5k, 10k run whilst a bevy of local runners were tackling the Asics Gold Coast Running Festival 42k, 21k, 10k, 5k and kids events.
The Miles family in support Ashley Miles whilst he’s out on the 10km course.
Jo Hughes joined past Mackay Road Runner, Karen Baker for a steady 5km before Karen leaves town next weekend.
Jeff Pearce and Kayla Waugh with timekeeper Rohan Miles (seated) whilst he arranges a test run on the results systems.

‍

The club watched another amazing game of competition bowls between two of its best players, Ann Smith and Brenda Trannore, both competing in the Club B Grade Singles Final.

The game had everything going for it: skill, patience, and great nerves to say the least. Both ladies had the same score going into the last couple of ends. Brenda took the honours and once again was very gracious in her win.

This win made her one of the club’s most decorated bowlers for 2025, for her wins in both the Club Championship Singles played two weeks ago, and now the Club B Singles.

Congratulations also went to Ann for the patience and skill she brought to the game that day.

This event had not occurred in the club since 1969, when Agnes Orr won both these competitions and went on to win the Club Championship Singles another 19 times.

Congratulations were extended to Brenda from all her friends and members of the North Mackay Bowls Club. A super achievement, and now on to the District Championship in Airlie Beach at a later date.

Contributed by Sue Hazledine

‍

B Singles winner: Brenda Trannore

Ann Smith and Brenda Trannore - B Singles Finalists. Photos supplied

‍

OUTRIGGING

Sunset Bay paddlers made the journey to Townsville over the weekend of June 19–20 to compete in Round 3 of the North Queensland Zone Grand Prix, tackling events ranging from 500m sprints and 8km marathons to a gruelling 41km changeover marathon.

To say the club returned on cloud nine is an understatement — they came home with a carload of medals and even bigger smiles.

Coaches Scotty Macgroaty and Justin Davies made the most of the weekend’s event line-up, giving all 24+ paddlers the opportunity to compete across multiple divisions.

It’s hard to single out just one race or crew, as the standouts were many. But few could miss the beaming faces of the Senior Master Men’s crew, who hadn’t fielded a competitive team in more than five years. From Race number 1, they made their mark — taking gold in both the 500m sprint and the 8km marathon.

As conditions worsened throughout the day with rising winds and swell, Sunset Bay paddlers dug deep. The OC1 and OC2 events saw the club collect a further swag of medals across multiple age divisions.

Sunday’s feature was the iconic 41km Magnetic Island changeover marathon. Sunset Bay fielded two full crews of 10 paddlers. Unfortunately, one crew suffered a major setback after a support boat damaged their canoe during the first changeover on Magnetic Island. The vessel had to be patched up with duct tape just to return to the mainland.

The mishap fuelled the second crew’s determination, and they powered ahead to claim gold in the Golden Master Mixed division with an impressive time of 4 hours and 21 minutes, finishing 17th overall out of 30 teams.

Come and Try Days will be available soon — stay up to date with Sunset Bay on Facebook for further details.

‍

Sunset Bay paddlers returned from the North Queensland Grand Prix in Townsville with a swag of medals, standout performances, and golden memories. Photos supplied

‍