For more than three decades, Sunset Bay Outrigger Canoe Club has been bringing people together on the waters off Eimeo Beach, building fitness, friendships and a strong sense of community through the sport of outrigger canoe paddling.
Established in 1992, the Mackay-based club has grown into a close-knit paddling community with 52 members ranging in age from 17 to 82, from recreational paddlers through to athletes competing on the national and international stage.
Based at Eimeo Beach, the club welcomes people of all ages and experience levels, providing coaching, training and opportunities to compete across Queensland and beyond.
Outrigger canoe paddling has deep cultural roots across the Pacific and combines teamwork, endurance and connection with the ocean. For Sunset Bay members, Renee said the sport offers much more than competition.
“We’re more than a sporting club. We’re a community. People join for different reasons, whether it’s fitness, friendship, competition or simply being out on the water, but they quickly become part of the family,” said Renee.
That sense of belonging has helped the club attract and retain members over many years, while also creating opportunities for paddlers to achieve remarkable results.
Recently, club members competed at the Hamilton Island Cup, one of Australia’s premier ocean paddling events. Among the highlights was the Master Women’s crew successfully achieving its goal of completing the challenging 42-kilometre course in under five hours.
Renee said the Coalface Community Gift would help offset fuel costs for the support boat used during the event.
“Travelling to regattas and major competitions comes with significant costs for our members and the club. Every bit of support helps us continue providing opportunities for paddlers to challenge themselves and represent our region.”
The club will also have 20 paddlers representing Sunset Bay and Australia at the IVF World Sprint Championships in Singapore later this year, an achievement Renee said reflects the dedication and commitment of members.
“We have paddlers competing at every level, from local regattas through to world championships. It’s something we’re incredibly proud of because it shows what can be achieved when people support each other and put in the work.”
Like many volunteer-run sporting organisations, Sunset Bay faces ongoing challenges. Rising travel and competition costs can make participation difficult for some members, while the harsh marine environment means safety equipment requires regular maintenance and replacement. The club is also focused on attracting younger paddlers and encouraging them to remain involved as they progress into senior divisions.
“One of our biggest priorities is growing participation and making sure the club remains strong for future generations. We want more people to experience what outrigger paddling has to offer.”
Looking ahead, the club hopes to continue growing membership, strengthening community connections and supporting members to compete at the highest levels possible.
For those interested in giving the sport a try, Sunset Bay regularly hosts Come and Try sessions with dates coming up in August and September, offering newcomers the opportunity to learn the basics in a welcoming and supportive environment.
“People often think they need experience before joining, but that’s not the case at all. If you’re willing to give it a go, we’ll help you learn. Some of our best paddlers started exactly that way.”
| To find out more and look for upcoming come and try dates visit their Facebook page or website: www.sunsetbayoutriggers.com.au |
