Paddle Queensland is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Winton to the role of Events Officer, strengthening the organisation’s capacity to deliver high-quality, safe and inclusive paddling events across Queensland.
Peter brings more than 50 years of experience across paddlesports and surf lifesaving as a competitor, coach, administrator and event official, with extensive involvement at club, state and national levels. His appointment aligns with Paddle Queensland’s commitment to delivering best-practice event management and race direction in line with Paddle Australia standards.
With a strong background in event planning, race direction and safety oversight, Peter has recently co-developed and delivered the inaugural Wave Break Island Classic (May 2025), where he played a key role in venue planning, course design, water safety, volunteer coordination and stakeholder engagement. His experience also includes roles as Assistant Race Director, Carnival Referee, Starter and Marshal, underpinned by robust risk management and safety planning.
Peter is widely respected for his process-driven, athlete-centred approach, having coached athletes from grassroots participation through to high-performance pathways, including involvement in Youth for 32 development programs. He was also recognised as a Paddle Australia Coach of the Year finalist (2019), reflecting his commitment to long-term athlete development and inclusive participation.
In his new role, Peter will lead the planning and delivery of Paddle Queensland’s annual events calendar, oversee race operations and safety, collaborate with clubs, councils and partners and contribute to continuous improvement through post-event evaluation and reporting.
Paddle Queensland Executive Officer Scott Sharples welcomed the appointment, noting that Peter’s depth of experience and values-driven leadership will play an important role in supporting the growth and sustainability of paddlesports across the state. Peter will work closely with clubs, volunteers and stakeholders to ensure Paddle Queensland events continue to deliver outstanding experiences for athletes, officials and communities alike.