Queensland’s ocean racing community came together at Mooloolaba on Saturday, 22 August for the 2026 Paddle Queensland Ocean Racing Championships.
The championships attracted over 100 entries across surf ski, SLSA ski, outrigger canoe, stand-up paddleboard and prone paddleboard divisions. The diverse field included junior, open and masters paddlers representing clubs and communities from across Queensland and interstate.
The premier SS1 contest produced outstanding racing. Cory Hill delivered the fastest performance of the championships, winning overall in 1:15:03.8. Alex Woodhouse finished second in 1:16:22.3, narrowly defeating Dylan Askew by just 5.8 seconds in an exciting U23 battle.
Phoebe Woodhouse led the women’s SS1 field, recording a winning time of 1:28:35.9. Penny Hosken placed second, followed by Masters 45+ winner Wendy Reyntjes in third. Leila Furness claimed the Junior Female title, while Asa Poland secured the Junior Male championship.
Mackenzie Hynard and Alex Woodhouse were crowned the Open and U23 Male SS1 champions respectively. Other men’s SS1 category victories went to Cory Hill in Masters 35+, John Wilkie in Masters 45+, Robert Pade in Masters 55+, Bill Strachan in Masters 65+ and Rod Taylor in Masters 70+.
The SLSA single ski competition delivered one of the closest finishes of the day. Michael Ashworth won overall in 1:23:40.1, just 16.1 seconds ahead of Jack Patel. Eva Ashworth was the fastest female SLSA paddler, completing the course in 1:35:36.8.
Jack Herden headed the OC1 field in 1:34:31.3, with Chris Moore winning Masters 45+ and Jeff Rainsford taking the Masters 55+ title. Robyn and Lisa won the women’s OC2 competition, while the Gold Coast Outrigger Canoe Club crew completed the course in 1:37:43.5 to secure the women’s OC6 title.
Amanda and Mark won the SS2 competition in 1:30:10.1, ahead of women’s champions Monique and Sophie and men’s champions Andrew and Thomas. Paul Menhinnitt claimed the SUP title, while Rob Maitland completed the prone paddleboard division.
Championship highlights
- Overall Male: Cory Hill — SS1, 1:15:03.8
- Overall Female: Phoebe Woodhouse — SS1, 1:28:35.9
- SS1 Open Male champion: Mackenzie Hynard — 1:18:13.7
- SS1 Open Female champion: Phoebe Woodhouse — 1:28:35.9
- SS1 Junior Male champion: Asa Poland — 1:32:45.8
- SS1 Junior Female champion: Leila Furness — 1:45:04.3
- SLSA-1 Male champion: Michael Ashworth — 1:23:40.1
- SLSA-1 Female champion: Eva Ashworth — 1:35:36.8
- OC1 champion: Jack Herden — 1:34:31.3
- SUP champion: Paul Menhinnitt — 2:12:55.9
Paddle Queensland congratulates every paddler who took on the course and thanks the volunteers, officials, clubs and event personnel whose contributions made the championships possible.
A special thank you to Zhik and Sunshine Coast Council for their valued support of this year’s Paddle Queensland Ocean Racing Championships. Their support helped Paddle Queensland deliver a safe, successful and memorable event for the ocean paddling community.
We also acknowledge the essential contribution of our on-water support teams, including the Caloundra and Mooloolaba Coast Guards, the Australian Lifeguard Service, and Buck from Mooloolaba Paddlers. Their expertise, local knowledge and commitment helped ensure the safe and successful delivery of the event.
The championships demonstrated the strength and diversity of Queensland’s ocean paddling community, with emerging juniors competing alongside open and masters athletes across a broad range of paddle craft.
View the complete 2026 Paddle Queensland Ocean Racing Championships results.
View the complete 2026 Paddle Queensland Ocean Racing Championships image library.