COFFS Harbour has hosted the 2026 Australian Outriggers National Marathon Championship, with rain, sun and rainbow bursts rolling through Jetty Beach across three days of racing.
The event ran from Friday 15 to Sunday 17 May, attracting hundreds of competitors from outrigger canoe clubs across Australia.
Conditions were typically Coffs Harbour – rain one minute, sunshine the next – with rainbow displays appearing over the Jetty precinct throughout the weekend.
Australia’s top crews competed across OC1 and OC2 small craft events, Va’a short and long course racing, and OC6 sprint and endurance races in men’s, women’s and mixed divisions.
Competitors ranged in age from eight to 80, with race distances from four to 18 kilometres in canoes carrying one to six paddlers.
Coffs Harbour Jetty was again praised for its sheltered harbour conditions and proximity to open ocean, making it a reliable national championship location despite unpredictable weather.
Local businesses reported a strong uplift across the weekend, with the influx of competitors, officials and spectators boosting accommodation, hospitality and retail trade across the Coffs Harbour region.
Venue manager Tim Saladine from the Pier Hotel said his hotel was fully booked throughout the event.
“We’ve had a fantastic weekend,” he said.
“Our 17 rooms have been booked out all weekend and a range of guests from Sunny Coast down to Newcastle.”
The Van Gool family travelled from Mooloolaba for the weekend to compete in the event, with two sisters and their father taking part.
Twelve-year-old Poppy Van Gool said competing alongside her younger sister Olive added to the experience.
“I love getting out on the water a lot, and the feeling you get when everyone’s in sync and you fly across the water,” she said.
Event director Cherie Collison said the turnout exceeded expectations and praised the strong sense of community at the event.
She said there were “good vibes” and that “everyone was a winner”.
Food trucks, sun-smart clothing stalls and music playing over loudspeakers all helped set the tone for the event and create a lively atmosphere.
The event was co-hosted by the Coffs Coast Outrigger Canoe Club and the Australian Outriggers Canoe Racing Association (AOCRA), the sport’s national governing body.
Organisers acknowledged the Gumbaynggirr people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters on which the event was held.
Welcome messages from AOCRA president Rowena Coghill, Coffs Coast OCC president Chris Foley and Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams highlighted the cultural significance of the sport, community support and the region’s role as a national paddling venue.
By Kate PYE
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