Vaku Tua Motu Returns to South Mission Beach

Competitors before taking part in the Vaku Tua Motu  Photo Credit: Sian Bantock

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By Sian Bantock

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South Mission Beach came alive on Saturday 5th September as paddlers congregated for annual Jet Zero Vaku Tua Motu Outrigger Event.  

Around 30 competitors travelled from across Queensland to take on 14KM and 24KM courses set against the backdrop of Dunk Island and the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics rainforest.

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Mission Beach Outriggers Club President Harry was impressed with the community’s support for the event.  

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“It’s important that any water event is displayed as well as it can be and supported by the community because we need people out in the water,” Harry said.  

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“It’s a safe place out there if you respect your surroundings and do the right thing. With the islands in front of us, it’s so beautiful.”

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The flat and calm waters provided the perfect conditions for the event as paddlers powered to Timana Island before navigating toward Bedarra to the right. 24KM competitors continued to Dunk Island, rounding its eastern-southern point before sweeping past Purtaboi and returning to South Mission as the finishing line.  

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