170 paddlers from around the country where greeted by strong wind with gusts up to 23 knots on Saturday Morning at the start of the 8th Annual Marlin Coast Relay Race hosted by the Port Douglas Outrigger Canoe Club.

The race caters for single and double outrigger canoes (OC1/OC2), surf skis and for the first time six man canoes (OC6).

Starting at Yorkes Knob, with stop overs at Ellis Beach, Wangetti and Oak Beach before finishing at the southern end of Four Mile Beach, competitors either paddled the event iron or paired up in teams of two, four or 12 (in the OC6 category) with a change over at each beach.

Line Honours after almost 45km of paddling, in a time of 3:02:57 hours went to Brad Hogan on a surf ski. The first female outrigger canoe over the line was the Open Women OC2 team from Mission Beach. “We have been paddling with the same 4 girls for the eighth year running,” Michelle Lloyd said.

A number of local paddlers also entered the event with great success.

A first place for Kim St.Pierre and Kelly King in the Open Women OC1 Relay and Steve Johnson and Benny Kapa in the Master Men OC1 Relay with Ces Casey and Justin Whyte placing 2nd in the same division.

Connor O’Sullivan came 2nd in the Master Men Surf Ski and Faye Lilly and Grant Davis secured 3rd place in the Senior Master Mixed Relay division.

History was made in the OC6 category. Not only was this a new addition to the race but the newest club in the Country, Torres Strait Outriggers, with their Open Mixed crew won the overall race  in their first ever entry at a regatta!

The local team of Lili Jansen, Katie Pickford, Edith Wild, Peter Byrne, Scott Hahne, George Beeby, Lee Foster and Peter Beitz, joined by four female paddlers from Hekili (Cairns) place 3rd in the Division.   The Senior Master Men’s Team from Pittwater (Sydney) reinforced by Chris McCullen, won their division.

“This was a very tough race this year, not only for the competitors. The support boats drivers had a hard time manoeuvring through the swell but did a great job keeping an eye on everyone.  A small number of competitors did not make to the finish line but that is part of racing.  We had paddlers between the age of 15 and 65 on the water and at the end of the day there were smiles all around,” said Club Secretary Danielle Bellero said.

The club is now gearing up for their Annual Calcutta Night Fundraiser at the Court House Hotel on Monday 2nd November.