THE Macleay Island Classic canoe race is on again, its 9th year, and paddlers are expected to travel hundreds of kilometres to take part in the 15km event.
This year the Redland City Council-sponsored event will expand to cover two days on the weekend of May 13 and 14.
Tingira Boat Club commodore and race director Neville Prosser said slower events – the stand up paddlers and relay race – would be held on the Saturday.
“The relay race consists of teams of five who take a leg each to paddle around the island,’’ he said. “They will compete for the Tingira Boat Club relay trophy.’’
Also on the Saturday the Tingira Dragons will organise a dragon boat regatta, with clubs from Bribie Island, Redland Bay and Gold Coast taking part.
Mr Prosser said people could also have a go at dragon boating.
The main event would be on Sunday and feature cash prizes.
“Paddlers in a variety of canoes will compete to circumnavigate Macleay Island,’’ he said. “The first paddler is expected to finish back at the boat club within in about 1 hour and 10 minutes.
“As an added incentive this year cash prizes are offered to first, second and third male and female outrigger canoe singles.’’
Medals are also awarded to first place in each category.
Mr Prosser said different styles of canoes took part but it was a class known as ocean skis which invariably won.
“There’s quite a variety of canoes that take part but the ocean skis are the fast ones,’’ he said.
To register for the event online go to www.tingiraboatclub.com or telephone 3409 5341.
The club is at 91 Coast Road, Macleay Island. To open the event, the Tingira club will host a dinner on Saturday, May 13 at 6pm.
This can also be booked on the club’s website.
For further information email neville@thehavengallery.com.au or phone 0425 798 750.
