2026 Epic Kayaks Wave Break Island Challenge Post-Event Report
The second edition of the Epic Kayaks Wave Break Island Challenge brought together paddlers from across Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia for an outstanding day of multi-craft racing on the Gold Coast Broadwater on Saturday 18 July 2026. Hosted from The Paddle House at Southport, the 12-kilometre event welcomed ocean skis, outrigger canoes, stand up paddleboards, prone paddleboards and surf lifesaving skis. The diverse field reflected the event’s inclusive approach and its growing position on the Queensland paddling calendar.
Event Snapshot
The 2026 event attracted:
- 141 registrations
- 80 craft on the start line
- Seven (7) paddle craft disciplines represented
- More than 20 clubs and paddling groups
- Competitors from Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia
- A 12-kilometre course through the Gold Coast Broadwater
The event attracted strong support from the ocean ski community while continuing to provide opportunities for paddlers from a wide range of disciplines to race together in a welcoming and professionally managed environment.
Craft Participation
The start list included:
| Craft | Registrations |
|---|---|
| SS1 Ocean Ski | 56 |
| Stand Up Paddleboard | 14 |
| OC6 | 11 crews |
| SS2 Ocean Ski | 3 doubles |
| Prone Paddleboard | 4 |
| Surf Lifesaving Ski | 2 |
| OC1 | 1 |
Ocean skis accounted for more than half of all registrations, reinforcing the Wave Break Island Challenge as an ideal lead-up event to the Paddle Queensland Ocean Racing Championships. The presence of 11, OC6 crews was another highlight, with strong participation from the Gold Coast, Bayside, Surfers Paradise and Pandanus outrigger communities.
Club and Regional Representation
More than 20 clubs and paddling groups were represented, including:
- Currumbin Creek Paddlers Club
- Gold Coast Paddlesports
- Gold Coast Outrigger Canoe Club
- Surfers Paradise Outrigger Canoe Club
- Bayside Outrigger Canoe Club
- Pandanus Outrigger Canoe Club
- Paddle2Fitness
- Bonville Creek Kayak Club
- Varsity Lakes Paddlers Club
- Sunshine Coast SUP Club
- BrisSUP Club
- 4670 SUP Club
- Mooloolaba Paddlers
- Wynnum Redlands Canoe Club
- Fitzroy Canoe Club
- West End Canoe Club
- Indian Ocean Paddlers
Currumbin Creek Paddlers Club provided one of the largest contingents, while participation from northern New South Wales and Western Australia demonstrated the event’s growing reach beyond southeast Queensland.
Outstanding Performances
The fastest performance of the day came from John Wilkie of Indian Ocean Paddlers, who claimed overall SS1 line honours in 59 minutes and 35 seconds. He was the only competitor to complete the course in under one hour. The race for the remaining SS1 podium positions was exceptionally close. Mark Rantall finished second in 1:01:35, with Julian Norton-Smith third in 1:01:40—less than six seconds separating the two paddlers. The OC6 racing also produced an exciting finish. Team Matariki Mixed from Surfers Paradise OCC completed the course in 1:09:41, only eight seconds ahead of the leading Gold Coast OCC women’s crew.
Category Champions
Congratulations to the leading performers across each craft category:
- OC1: Michael Rix — Gold Coast Paddlesports
- OC6 Mixed: Team Matariki — Surfers Paradise OCC
- OC6 Female: Gold Coast 642 — Gold Coast OCC
- OC6 Male: Bayside U0177 — Bayside OCC
- Prone: Mick Di Betta — Currumbin Creek
- SS1: John Wilkie — Indian Ocean Paddlers and Helen Chorley – Mooloolaba Paddlers/Gold Coast OCC
- SS2: Tom and Gary — Currumbin Creek Paddlers Club
- SUP: Paul Menhinnitt — Sunshine Coast SUP Club and Julie Smith – Sunshine Coast SUP Club
To view the full results click here.
More Than a Race
The Wave Break Island Challenge continues to demonstrate the value of a multi-craft event that brings different sections of the paddling community together. While the racing was competitive, the day was equally focused on participation, connection and providing a positive experience for paddlers, clubs, volunteers, families and supporters. Following the racing, competitors gathered for presentations and lucky draw prizes provided by Naming Rights Partner Epic Kayaks Australia and Events Partner KRT Australia. Prizes included an Epic Mid Twist Paddle valued at $695, two $250 Epic Kayaks vouchers and a range of products from KRT Australia providing an exciting conclusion to the event.
Partners, Hosts and Event Support
Paddle Queensland extends its sincere appreciation to Epic Kayaks Australia, whose support as Naming Rights Partner played an important role in delivering the second edition of the event. Thank you also to KRT Australia for its valued event partnership and continued support of the paddling community. Paddle Queensland acknowledges Paddle Australia for its support of the event and its ongoing contribution to the growth of paddlesports and ocean racing nationally. A special thank you is extended to the Gold Coast Outrigger Canoe Club for its hosting and event support. The club’s assistance before and during the event helped create a welcoming environment and contributed significantly to the successful delivery of the day. We also thank The Paddle House for providing an excellent event base and supporting the operational requirements of registration, race management and presentations.
Water Safety and Volunteers
The safe delivery of the event relied on the experience and commitment of the water support team. Paddle Queensland sincerely thanks Gold Coast OCC, Graham Shield, Southport Volunteer Marine Rescue and the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard for providing water support throughout the race. Their knowledge of the Broadwater, professional approach and willingness to support competitors ensured paddlers could participate with confidence in the fresh conditions. We also acknowledge the race officials, course personnel, registration team, volunteers and club members who contributed their time and expertise. Their collective efforts were essential to delivering a safe, organised and enjoyable event.
Event Photography
Thank you to Paul Manning from The Sunday Longrun for capturing the action, atmosphere and community spirit of the Wave Break Island Challenge. Competitors, clubs and supporters can view the event photographs through the official gallery. View the 2026 Wave Break Island Challenge event album.
Key Outcomes
The second edition of the Epic Kayaks Wave Break Island Challenge delivered several positive outcomes:
- Strong participation across individual and team paddle craft
- Representation from more than 20 clubs and paddling groups
- Interstate participation from New South Wales and Western Australia
- Strong engagement from the ocean ski and outrigger communities
- A safe and professionally managed race in challenging conditions
- Increased collaboration between Paddle Queensland, Paddle Australia, host clubs, marine rescue organisations and event partners
- An inclusive event experience that supported both competitive and community paddlers
Looking Ahead
The continued development of the Epic Kayaks Wave Break Island Challenge reinforces its place as an important multi-craft event on the Queensland paddling calendar. The event provides a valuable opportunity to bring together ocean ski, outrigger, SUP and prone communities while showcasing the Gold Coast Broadwater as an outstanding paddling destination. Paddle Queensland now looks forward to welcoming paddlers to the 2026 Paddle Queensland Ocean Racing Championships on the Sunshine Coast on 22 August, where many Wave Break Island Challenge competitors will continue their ocean racing season. The success of the second edition provides a strong foundation for the future, with opportunities to grow participation, expand interstate engagement and continue developing the event as a highlight of Queensland’s winter paddling calendar.