Mackay Marina Platypus Paddle races had paddleboarders from around the state competing

Paddleboarders raced through the Mackay Marina, coasting through the 200m and battling the waves and wind in the 4km event.

Kai Millen at the inaugural Platypus Paddle at Mackay Harbour. Picture: Lillian Watkins

While Kai Millen is usually more comfortable on the other side of the lens, that didn’t stop the videographer from jumping into the inaugural Platypus Paddle competition and taking out two first places.

Mr Millen came first in both the 2km and 4km mens races, after what he described as a shaky start in the sprints.

Aerial shots of the inaugural Platypus Paddle. Picture: James Slade

Mr Millen said while he was relatively new to stand up paddle boarding, he had an extensive history in outrigging, even competing in Tahiti in 2018.

“Paddle boarding is a bit different,” he said

“It’s a full body workout and you’re in the waves and the surf and you can get a few down winders.”

‘There’s not a massive paddleboarding community in the north, but everyone who does it came out for the event’. Picture: James Slade

Mr Millen said he thought he was now hooked to the sport and was looking forward to getting back in.

Platypus Paddle event organiser James Slade was “stoked” with the turnout.

“There’s not a massive paddleboarding community in the north, but everyone who does it came out for the event,” Mr Slade said.

James Slade at the inaugural Platypus Paddle at Mackay Harbour. Picture: Lillian Watkins

“We had about 20 competitors from Mackay, Townsville and Bundaberg come out.”

Mr Slade said the competition was the first stand up paddleboard event Mackay had put on in five years.

“We couldn’t have asked for better weather or better people,” he said.