Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
More than 140 paddlers hit the water at Eimeo Beach for the North Queensland Games regatta, with local crews, volunteers and supporters helping deliver a successful weekend of outrigger racing hosted by Sunset Bay Outrigger Canoe Club. Photos supplied
More than 140 outrigger paddlers converged on Eimeo Beach earlier this month as the North Queensland Games brought high-energy racing and strong community spirit to Mackay’s coastline.
Hosted by Sunset Bay Outrigger Canoe Club over the weekend of May 2-4, the regatta marked the club’s first major hosting role in eight years, with volunteers and members working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the event ran smoothly.
Despite uncertain weather leading into the weekend, conditions eased just in time, allowing all scheduled races to be completed with only minor course adjustments.
The headline event, the Eimeo Beach Challenge, launched the weekend in spectacular fashion, with 15 OC6 crews taking on the gruelling 22-kilometre course from North Wall Beach, around One Tree Island and back to Eimeo Beach.
The Open Men’s crew from Coconuts Outrigger Canoe Club claimed line honours in an unlimited canoe weighing 90 kilograms, crossing the finish line in an impressive one hour and 59 minutes.
Local crews also delivered standout performances on home waters. Sunset Bay’s Master Men secured fifth place overall in a time of 2 hours and 18 minutes, earning gold in the Master Men division.
One of the biggest highlights of the race came from Sunset Bay’s Master Women crew, who powered home eighth overall in 2 hours and 30 minutes to become the first women’s crew across the line.
Competitors and supporters gathered at Eimeo Surf Life Saving Club following Saturday’s racing for presentations and dinner, with medals presented by North Queensland Games Chair Councillor Rhonda Coghlan. Sunday celebrations continued at Northern Beaches Bowls Club after another full day of competition.
Organisers described the weekend as a major success, crediting generous sponsors, volunteers and supporters both on and off the water.
Local photographer Kia Millen and family business PaddleLifeTV captured the action across the weekend, with race highlights available online.
Following the successful regatta, Sunset Bay thanked volunteers with a community barbecue and is now turning its focus toward the internationally renowned Hamilton Island Cup in June.
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2026 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
.jpeg)
