2025 Moreton Bay Ocean Paddle

Another year of the Moreton Bay Ocean Paddle is behind us. Eighty-six craft included 10 doubles so 96 athletes departed from Kedron Brook, with all but 2 completing the trip. Our course has in mind those with less experience needing to build confidence, and we would like to congratulate all for whom this event was such a challenge.

For those waiting with bated breath, here are some photos for you to enjoy on Flickr (https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCe3ys).

And the results: https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=389440

Congratulations to the leaders - male ski and overall winner Julian Norton-Smith, female ski Helen Chorley, OC-1 male Phil Ware, female OC-2 Aliti Chang and Rachel McCallum (no female OC-1) and SUP’s Juan Cruz and Tracey Mouque.

First and foremost, we are grateful to the support of those that attended. The “race weather” was satisfactory with 15kts blowing and the resultant wind chop gave most athletes a good run across the Bay.

However, the “off water weather” was far more challenging, with the same wind blowing the rain in sideways. The cold and wet conditions really got in the way of the post-race catchup with our fellow paddlers - from as far afield as Rockhampton. Next year.

There are some that require special mentions for running this event successfully.

Our President, George Spink, has done a mountain of work in the background. Thank you George.

But for the weather, David, Tammy and Tom Knight were ready to go with a Bunnings-beating sausage sizzle.

Buck kindly loaned the finishing arch. Thank you, it was a beacon on a day of gloom. 

A number of other club members passed up the opportunity of paddling to assist with check-ins, starting, recording finishers, boat wrangling at the shore - again, the list goes on, but from the smiles and kind feedback of those who paddled, it was well worth it.

We also have to thank the 4 support boats out on the water, providing reassurance to all and real support to 2 athletes.

-Graham on KOOPA

-Matt and Tom on the jet skis

-Brisbane River Dragon Boat and Outrigger Canoe Club for the generous use of Knight Rider

Breakfast Creek Bash - April 2022

Sixteen paddlers assembled under the Breakfast Creek Bridge at 6.15am on Saturday 30th April. It may have been 2 minutes after sunrise, but we wouldn’t have known with the clouds and drizzle. The Time Lord takes control, we synchronise the start of our stopwatches as instructed.

At one minute, Nikki departs. Can she hold off the chasers?

Judy follows at 3 minutes 30 seconds, then Sally another minute later.

David C , Mike and Don leave at 6 minutes 30 seconds. Will they work together to chase the ladies?

Departures are more consistent now, Peter at 7m15s, David K and Tom at 8m15s, Ben at 9minutes and Todd another 15sec later. Rhett has a 15sec advantage on Richard and Ray at 10minutes, before the “big guns” in Gavin and George fire off at 10m30s.

We hug the southern (Bulimba) bank paddling 3km into the current towards the turnaround buoy near the Cairncross Dock. Nikki leads around the buoy, but the field is compressing. George has broken away from Gavin and is heading through the field, and Rhett is looking strong. Can those out front hold on for the return leg with the current?

Sally has overtaken Nikki for the lead, with Mike and Rhett chasing hard as the paddlers re-enter Breakfast Creek. It’s a blanket finish, but Sally holds on for the win, with the podium covered by half a boat length. Peter and George are a boat length back. A small gap to David K, with Ray and Don hot on his heels. Ben is not much further, with Judy, Nikki and Tom. Gavin leads Richard and we have 14 of the field home within 1 minute. Then small gaps to Todd and David C.

Another great win for Sally, George collects best time for the day (28min 40sec - 12.6kph average), and sub-30min times for Rhett, Ray, Gavin and Richard are always worth a mention. Not forgetting a masterful effort from the Time Lord to allocate handicaps with all 16 paddlers finishing within 90 seconds.

And great company to enjoy coffee at MICA!

2021 Gold Coast Classic

A solid turnout from BPC at the Gold Coast Classic on 25th September 2021. Richard Zillman excelled with 3rd place in the 60-69yr male - congratulations Richard! A great time was had by all, with a sweet run down the coast and big smiles all round. Well done Gavin Cook, Rhett Johnston, Mike Pond, Ben Lloyd, Luke Gulley and Ray Hastie

Ocean Racing World Championships National Team

Five members from the Brisbane Paddling Club will be representing Australia at the World Championship in France for the following masters age group divisions: 40-44, 45-49 and 50-54.