EO Update – September 2026
Hello paddlers,
September has been another productive month for Paddle Queensland, with significant progress across events, athlete development, club support, funding, child safety and future planning.
A major highlight was the delivery of the 2026 Paddle Queensland Ocean Racing Championships at Mooloolaba on 22 August. More than 100 entries were received across surf ski, SLSA ski, outrigger canoe, stand-up paddleboard and prone paddleboard divisions, bringing together junior, open and masters paddlers from Queensland and interstate.
School paddling also continued to grow through the 2026 Paddle Queensland School Sprint Championships at Lake Samsonvale on 8 September. Over 120 students competed across 500-metre singles and doubles races and 200-metre singles events. Congratulations to Pacific Lutheran College, which secured the School Sprint Champions Trophy after also winning the 2026 School Marathon Championships.
The 2026 Paddle Queensland Annual Award winners were announced on 1 September, recognising outstanding contributions and performances across volunteering, coaching, instruction, sprint, marathon, ocean racing, SUP and paracanoe. Congratulations to all recipients, including Volunteer of the Year Grant Epple, Instructor/Guide of the Year Allana Bold and Club Coach of the Year Julian Norton-Smith.
Community competition remained strong, with the Elanora Escape attracting 71 participants. Eight juniors completed the Junior Dash, including several paddlers experiencing their first race, while the senior program featured 10-kilometre and five-kilometre events on Tallebudgera Creek.
Paddle Queensland also supported the launch of the 2026–27 SEQ Island Va’a Series. Delivered with Queensland Outrigger and Canoe Club, Gold Coast Outrigger Canoe Club and Sandy Straits Outrigger Canoe Club, the series will feature races around Bribie, Green, Peel, Wavebreak/Crab and Round Islands between December 2026 and April 2027.
To support athlete development, expressions of interest opened for Queensland sprint athletes seeking to attend the NSW State Championships (7–8 Nov) and the Oceania Championships/GP 1 (3–6 Dec). The process will help identify demand for coordinated coaching, entries, equipment transport, boat access and team support. Volunteer drivers are also being sought to assist with transporting the Paddle Queensland trailer.
Work continued to strengthen safe and inclusive paddling environments through education on cyberbullying and online harm in junior sport, alongside youth-led conversations about child safety. Paddle Queensland also progressed club resources and training aligned with the Queensland Family and Child Commission’s Child Safe Standards.
Priorities for the coming period include completing the Sunshine Coast Boardsports SUP Tri-Series, promoting the FY2027 Events Calendar, progressing the 2027 Paddle Australia and Paddle Queensland Paddlefests, developing the Club Resource Hub and National and State Club Map, preparing for the Annual General Meeting and commencing website development for 2027 programs and projects.
Thank you to our clubs, volunteers, officials, coaches, partners and paddlers for continuing to support the growth of paddling throughout Queensland.
Here’s to More people paddling, More of the Time.
Yours in paddling,
Scott Sharples
Executive Officer
Paddle Queensland