Sport
11 April, 2026
Coconuts make a splash
THE Coconuts Outrigger Canoe Club has launched the 2026 regatta season with a splash, when members joined a record-breaking field of competitors to Tinaroo Dam for a huge day of racing, celebration and community spirit.
Hosted by The Dam Outrigger Canoe Club (Yungaburra), the event delivered a massive day of fast action on the water.
Over 300 competitors travelled from as far north as Port Douglas and as far south as Noosa, creating an electric atmosphere as clubs united to race hard, cheer loudly, and showcase the strength of the region’s paddling community.
Adding to the excitement, the club proudly announced Trackson Drilling as a major sponsor for the next three years. This significant partnership will help support the club’s rapid growth and ensure it continues to thrive both on and off the water.
The regatta also hosted the 2025 club awards, where the Coconuts celebrated an impressive haul of five zone titles: champion per capita club, OC6 senior club of the year, overall mixed club, OC1/2 senior club of the year and overall men’s club.
Race results
OC6 events
Open men’s 8km - 2nd: Matthew Abbott, Mana Mafi, Kila George, Tevita Takitaki, Lona Tausinga and Api Mafi
Master men’s 8km - 2nd: Greg Lyell, Adrian Darveniza, Miles Darveniza, Jeffery Belbin, Bernie Reitano and Matthew Gillis
Open men’s unlimited 8km - 1st: Harry Rei, Raka Meisi, Peter Vai, Areni Daroa, Frank Henao and Haiveta Henao
Open women’s 8km - 3rd: Robyn Fitzgerlad, Anita Darveniza, Mea Oala, Traci Blain, Ute Holzrichter and Loren Beggs
OC2 events
Open men’s 4km - 2nd: Jeffery Belbin and Max Belbin
Open men’s 4km - 3rd: Frank Henao and Haiveta Henao
Master men’s 4km - 1st: Matthew Abbott and Matt Gillis
Senior master men’s 4km: Adrian Darveniza and Bernie Reitano
Open mixed 4km - 1st: Amie Blanckensee and Mana Mafi
Master’s mixed 4km - 1st: Matthew Abbott and Robyn Fitzgerald
Sprint races
OC6 open men’s 1000m - 1st: Harry Rei, Raka Meisi, Peter Vai, Areni Daroa, Frank Henao, and Haiveta Henao
OC6 open men’s 1000m - 2nd: Mana Mafi, Kila George, Matthew Abbott, Tevita Takitaki, Lona Tausinga and Api Mafi
OC6 open women’s 1000m - 2nd: Amie Blanckensee, Mea Oala, Robyn Fitzgerald, Ute Holzrichter, Traci Blain and Loren Beggs
OC6 open mixed 1000m - 1st: Matt Abbott, Amie Blanckensee, Traci Blain, Loren Beggs, Kila George and Frank Henao
OC6 golden men’s 1000m - 2nd: Greg Lyell, Miles Darveniza, Anita Darveniza, Robyn Fitzgerald and Ute Holzrichter
OC6 senior master men’s 1000m - 2nd: Adrian Darveniza, Matt Gillis, Bernie Reitano, Greg Lyell, Miles Darveniza and Traci Blain
OC6 master men’s 1000m - 2nd: Matthew Abbott, Jeffery Belbin, Greg Lyell, Bernie Reitano, Miles Darveniza and Matt Gillis
Individual races
V1 open men’s 4km - 1st: Matthew Abbott
V1 open men’s 4km - 2nd: Raka Meisi
OC1 open men’s 4km - 1st: Mana Mafi
OC1 open men’s 4km - 2nd: Peter Vai
V1 U19 4km - 1st: Amie Blanckensee