Bribie’s own Mahalo Outrigger Canoe Club excel again

Now in its 10th year of existence, Bribie Island Mahalo Outrigger Canoe Club continues to up the ante by competing in top level outrigger canoe racing events. 

 Following on from our success earlier this year when Bribie Island won the coveted Men’s Champion Trophy for the 26km Norfolk Island circumnavigation, we had three crews compete in the internationally acclaimed Hamilton Island Cup. 

 The 2026 event attracted teams from far and wide. Nationally, clubs travelled from Perth, Darwin, Victoria, New South Wales and all over Queensland. International teams gathered from Hawaii, California, Hong Kong, Canada, New Zealand and Pacific Islands to contest the iconic Hamilton Island Cup that hasn’t been held for the past 12 years. 

 Our Senior Masters Mixed pairing of Maria McRoy and Darran Ryan stood proudly on the podium, earning the silver medal after finishing in second position in the 8km mixed doubles event. 

 Tropical sized tides and currents around Hamilton Island coupled with differing swells and winds tested the endurance and skills of athletes and steerers alike. Races consisted of a 4km dash from Hamilton’s Catseye Beach around the nearby Fitzalen Island and return. The 8km small craft races commenced at Catseye Beach passing between Fitzalen and Whitsunday Islands using the turning point of Plum Pudding Island to return to Catseye Beach. 

 The first of the two blue ribbon distance events commenced with the 16km around the island race, when 47 craft in the ladies events lined up side-by-side for what could be described as a manic splash and thrash with the almost 50 craft competing for the first corner. With 45 starters in the following men’s race, the start proved no different with bumps, crashes and more severe collisions pretty much guaranteed. 

 The final event on the program was the 42km deepwater changes race. Seeing 62 racing craft lined up side-by-side on the start line between Hamilton and Plum Pudding Island, combined with their 62 respective motorboat support vessels hovering just behind, really was a sight to behold. 

 The ocean and weather gods did not hold back throughout this endurance event, with canoes challenged by 1-2m waves, winds gusting around 20knots and beyond at times and bodies tested by the 42km of relentless racing. Our Bribie combatants battled well throughout this event, crossing the finish line in 4hr 40min. 

 An 80’s party themed closing ceremony proved a joyous and much needed social release for athletes and supporters alike following a strenuous six-month training program leading up to this landmark event.  Bribie Mahalo Outrigger Canoe Club will now shift racing focus to FNQ Dunk and Magnetic Island events over the winter months with a view to competing in the Cook Islands later this year. 

 If you would like to try your hand at outrigger canoe paddling for fun, social, fitness or racing, contact bribieoutriggers@gmail.com 

 We have crews on the water seven days per week, so we’ll be sure to help you achieve your paddling goals.  Mahalo and happy paddling Bribie Island Mahalo Outrigger Canoe Club