Endurance and teamwork shine on the Pumicestone Passage

By Chase Christensen 

Paddles pounded and spirits soared as the inaugural Enduro Quest – Bribie to Caloundra Dragon Boat Challenge made waves as one of the City of Moreton Bay’s biggest sporting highlights of the year so far, set against the stunning backdrop of the Pumicestone Passage. 

Beginning at Sylvan Beach across from Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) on Saturday June 14, the competitive race between local dragon boat clubs consisted of four teams made up of 63 determined paddlers competing for the win, whilst testing themselves with a monstrous physical and mental challenge. This gruelling race ended a gigantic 37 kilometres and four-and-a-half hours away at the Caloundra Power Boat Club. 

One of the four teams was the host club, Dragon Boat Pumicestone, comprising of paddlers aged between 22 and 77 years of age proving the sport is truly for everyone. 

Dragon boating began in China and is now practised around the world for fun, fitness and racing. This team sport consists of up to 20 paddlers moving in sync as someone at the back steers, whilst the drummer keeps the beat in a long boat shaped like a dragon. 

After a fierce tussle in the last 10 kilometres of the race, the Maroochy Sea Serpents were victorious, followed by Dragon Boat Pumicestone in second place. However, the result was far from the main point of the event. More importantly, it marked the successful launch of the first-ever 37km Enduro Quest – Bribie to Caloundra. There are already plans for it to become a bucket-list annual event and there’s no reason it shouldn’t be, given how much of a success it was. It’s a great showpiece and benefits local marine rescue tremendously, with all profits donated to marine organisations. 

To draw further attention to the event, Councillor Brooke Savige and Member for Pumicestone Ariana Doolan were in attendance throwing major support behind the initiative, both in person and via social media.  

Councillor Savige expressed her eagerness to find out who would take out the inaugural win, as the race began in what she described as the “beautiful Pumicestone Passage”.   

Ms Doolan praised the event and emphasised the importance of local volunteers.  

“I believe the inaugural Enduro Quest was a fantastic success!” she said. “Volunteers are the heart of our community and supporting them through events like Enduro Quest is a way of saying thank you and ensuring they can keep doing what they do best.” 

It's safe to say that with the support of two local political figures, the Enduro Quest will most certainly continue in the years to come. Next year is already shaping up as a must-watch event. 

To keep up-to-date on all upcoming events, key news and results, follow the Dragon Boating Pumicestone Facebook page. To contact the club, email dragonboatpumicestone@gmail.com.