Tough conditions, thrilling racing epitomises decade of Great Barrier Reef Ocean Challenge

ocean racing

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A composite crew of Port Douglas and Coconuts master men changeover crew gave the younger OC6 crews a run for their money, finishing 7th across the line and winning their division in 3:54:13

All images by Justyna Polanska

After 45 gruelling kilometres racing in hot conditions and light winds, just a fraction of a second separated two champion outrigger paddlers in one of many thrilling contests in the 10th anniversary Great Barrier Reef Ocean Challenge on Saturday.

After more than four hours, Sunset Bay’s Tania Moohin – 4:24:48:0 – found a final surge of energy to finish on the same wave and edge out her great mate and rival Robyn Saultry (4:24:48:3) from Brisbane Outrigger Canoe Club.

Both women are Australian Outrigger Marathon title holders and their contest epitomised the physical and mental stamina required to be a GBROC finisher.

It’s one of Australia’s toughest and longest iron races and for the past 10 years has attracted many of the country’s most elite paddlers and 2021 was no exception.

While travel restrictions forced some interstate crews to stay home, the Sunshine Coast Dragons open men’s was the first changeover crew to arrive at Four Mile Beach in 3:31:25 ahead of local contenders from Coconuts (3:41:19) and Mission Beach (3:42:57).

Twelve of the 15 OC6 (six man) canoes competed in the changeover division, where four to six ‘extra’ paddlers are rotated through the moving canoe with the assistance of a support boat.

The skill, stamina and strategy used by crews working the ‘changes’ can make all the difference to the outcome of the race as was the case when host club, Hekili OCC open women’s crew (4:12:36) managed to reel in a fast-finishing Mission Beach (4:13:58), which had led for most of the 45km race, to win by a margin of less than 90 seconds.

Among the 50 craft and 200 paddlers competing this year only two paddlers – Darrell Thoroughgood from Club Outrigger Whitsunday and Joanne Stonehouse from Hekili Cairns – have completed every GBROC since its inception in 2011.

Thoroughgood rated it as his toughest outing at GBROC in ten years. He took just under four hours, as the first OC1 (one man) to win the master men’s division ahead of Adam King from Rockhampton OCC (4:27:20) and Posa Skelton from Coral Sea (4:48).

“Even though it was a fairly flat day there was enough bump there to keep it alive and keep it active so you had something to chase all day,” Thoroughgood said. “It wasn’t fast waves but there was something there to keep you switched on.”

He rated GBROC as the ‘pinnacle’ of the outrigger canoeing race program which, on its day, offered paddlers the best conditions anywhere in Australia.

“A lot of other races are around 24-25kms, this is the only place where you get to paddle the 45k’s and do it in one big, long run and when the wind’s up, it’s a screaming downhill, really fun race to be a part of.”

“It’s an awesome event, always run well and what better part of the country to paddle in. Yep, as soon as we know the dates for next year we’ll be booking our accommodation and we’ll be back up here.”


Five courageous crews battled it out in the iron division, with Noosa Ultra master women’s crew the first to reach Four Mile in 4:18:27, followed by Townsville senior master women (4:34:22), Townsville open women (4:38:44) and Paddlers Without Borders composite crew (4:50:28).

Hekili OCC president Charlie McKillop said it was an enormous milestone for the club to have hosted the 10th anniversary event, despite the shifting sands of COVID-19.

“GBROC has stood the test of time because there are many people who have worked hard and shared the vision of putting paddle sport and Cairns on the map as a genuine adventure tourism destination,” McKillop said.

“Hekili would like to thank the army of volunteers, on and off the water – including the Cairns and Port Douglas Coast Guard, Volunteer Marine Rescue and Australian Navy – who made it possible and many generous sponsors who have supported the event this year and over the past decade.”

“We’re going to keep building on the successful legacy of GBROC so we can continue to attract competitors of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to paddle in our beautiful part of the world.”



Top craft across the line:


  1. Sunshine Coast Dragons, OC6 change open men (3:31:25.6)
  2. Alexander Pawlow (Daintree Coast), ocean ski master men (3:36:38)
  3. Coconuts OC6 change open men (3:41:19)
  4. Mission Beach change open men (3:42:57)
  5. David & Rachel Symington (Burke Street Boys), double ski open mixed (3:52:32)
  6. Coconuts OC6 change open men (3:52:42)
  7. Coconuts OC6 change master men (3:54:13)
  8. David Ahmend (Indian Ocean Paddlers) ocean ski senior master men (3:54:54)
  9. Brett Mesner (Cairns SLSC) ocean ski open men (3:55:14)
  10. Adam Beal (Palm Cove SLC), ocean ski master men (3:55:51)
  11. Darrell Thoroughgood (Outrigger Whitsunday) OC1 master men (3:58:48)
  12. Hekili OC6 change master mixed (4:02:57)



Thank you!

Newsport would like to thank the following businesses on behalf of the readers for their direct contribution to coverage of Douglas Shire Community Sport.

Douglas Shire Council
The Tin Shed
Port Douglas Dentist
The Mossman Bowls Club
Port Irrigation
Papillon Landscapes



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