EO Update – July 2026
Hello paddlers,
July is shaping as another important month for Paddle Queensland, with plenty happening across events, club engagement, participation and future planning.
We are excited to welcome our newly affiliated clubs Sandy Straits Outrigger Canoe Club, Fraser Coast Red Dragons and QLD Outrigger and Canoe Club, along with the return of Gold Coast Outrigger Canoe Club to the Paddle Queensland community. The continued growth and connection of outrigger paddling across Queensland is an important step forward and we look forward to supporting these clubs and their members as part of the wider paddling pathway.
On the events front, the Epic Kayaks Wave Break Island Challenge (Gold Coast) will be held on 18 July, providing another great opportunity for paddlers to come together and build momentum ahead of a busy second half of the year. The Sunshine Coast Boardsports SUP Tri Series also gets underway in August, beginning with the Clearwater Classic, before attention turns to the PQ Ocean Racing Championships on the Sunshine Coast.
The 2026 PQ School Sprint Championships will be held on 8 September and will again provide a fantastic platform for school-based paddling. Following the success of the School Marathon Championships, we look forward to welcoming students, teachers, schools and supporters back for another exciting day of racing and participation.
Looking further ahead, planning is continuing for the Pan Pacific Masters Games in November (6-15), which will provide an important opportunity to showcase outrigger paddling to a wider masters sport audience. We are also progressing preparations for a major 2027 event period, with the PQ Paddlefest over the 1st to 9th of May on the Gold Coast and the PA Paddlefest over the 4th to 13th of June on the Sunshine Coast. These events will be key opportunities to bring together paddlers, clubs, disciplines and communities across Queensland and Australia.
Across our strategic priorities, work continues on club development, child safety and participation programs. Ready.Set.Paddle and the broader Paddle Essentials framework remain important focus areas as we continue to create simple, welcoming and accessible entry points into paddling.
Thank you to our clubs, volunteers, officials, coaches, partners and paddling community for your continued contribution. The strength of Paddle Queensland comes from the people and clubs who create safe, welcoming and enjoyable paddling experiences across the state and we look forward to continuing this momentum through July and beyond.
A reminder that entries close on 1 August for the 2026 PQ Annual Awards. The awards provide an opportunity to recognise the people, clubs, volunteers, coaches, officials and paddlers who contribute to the growth and success of our sport across Queensland. View the details and submit an entry via the Paddle Queensland website: 2026 PQ Annual Awards.
To stay up to date on all things paddle, make sure you follow us on Facebook and bookmark the events calendar.
Yours in paddling,
Scott Sharples
Executive Officer
Paddle Queensland