Paddlers ready for first regatta King to be crowned

HUNDREDS of paddlers are expected to race onto the waters of Lake Tinaroo this Saturday as The Dam Outrigger Canoe Club and the Cairns Beaches Outrigger Canoe Club host the first regatta of the 2023 North Queensland Zone Grand Prix season.

Last year’s event gathered over 500 participants and the hope is that number will be dwarfed this year with the dam level currently over 100 percent and some added new additions for spectators and racers to enjoy.

In a welcome change this year the regatta will also have multiple coffee, food and ice cream vans available as well as live music.

Club’s from across Queensland are expected to make the journey to Tinaroo this Saturday as they vie for the top place in a range of different divisions.

Dam Outrigger Canoe Club coach Ralph Seed said the regatta is a great chance for members of the community to come out and enjoy the lake, racing, food and music.

“This regatta is not only the first Northern Zone Outrigger Regatta of the season, but one of the best attended drawing eight clubs from Torres Strait in the North to Whitsundays in the south,” he said.

“It should be a great spectacle and a chance for all to enjoy the excitement of a packed sprint and short course program containing 28 different races.”

The regatta begins at 7am and will run until 4pm at 15 Tinnaburra Drive Yungaburra.

BY RHYS THOMAS

THE Muay Thai “King of the North” is due to be crowned over the weekend as Tableland fighters make the journey down the hill to fight in Explosive Fight Promotions latest event, King of the North at Brothers Leagues Club in Cairns.

Spirit Muay Thai in Mareeba has put forward Chris Obodin and Harry Stewart with the former set to fight for a title.

Rayzor Muay Thai based out of Total Health and Fitness (TFIT) in Malanda have Blaire Duesbury and Stephen Zsombok stepping into the ring for their first professional fight and first fight respectively.

Chris Obodin has been hard at work over the past few weeks as he prepares to face off against James Lowe of Power Up MMA for his 69kg title fight this Saturday.

Lachlan McWaters, another fighter from SMT, was also due to fight but has since been forced to bow out due to an injury while Harry Stewart has only recently made the decision to step into the ring on the night.

While Stewart has been training in Muay Thai for a number of years, the local Biboohra man only started fighting competitively over the past few months.

“I started training for fitness about three years ago and now I have been really taking it seriously over the past few months,” he said.

He used to train in Cairns and since deciding to train in Mareeba, his passion for the sport has been reignited as he joined old mates and new teachers Ross and Salvatore Signarino.

Stewart will be fighting against Ashton Ryan of ATG Muay Thai in the 65kg division.

“This fight will be my first time back in the ring since July last year and I am feeling good, very strong,” he said.

“My endurance could get a bit better but I feel like my fine tuning is a bit more sharp after training with Sal and Ross.

“I am feeling confident and if I am sharp, I believe I can finish him.”

On the same night, Duesbury will be going up against Ricky Hammond from Fight Firm Thaiboxing in the 90kg pro bout while Zsombok prepares for his first ever fight against Darcy Dayles from Fusion Fight & Fitness in a 78kg bout.

Both fighters have been training hard in the newly established gym and they have been honing their skills to compete at the highest level under the guidance of experienced coaches Raymond Seres and Trevor Madin.

They are determined to make a mark in this fiercely competitive arena and with their dedication and commitment, they are sure to put up a good fight and make their gym and community proud.

Owner of Total Health & Fitness in Malanda Tegan Wilson said she has been overwhelmed by the amount of support and enthusiasm she has received from the community.

Doors to the event open at 6pm and tickets can be purchased by contacting Corey on 0491 011 148.