Magnetic Island Downwind Paddling Trips

“Beautiful one day, perfect the next”

Escape Sydney’s cold, rainy winter and join us on beautiful Magnetic Island for a week of downwind paddling, fitness, adventure and learning.

Winter in far north Queensland brings prevailing southerly and southeasterly winds—ideal for downwind conditions. Expect dry, sunny weather with average daytime temperatures of 26–30°C. Our winter trips also fall outside the usual stinger season, so nothing to worry about. 

Your Island Stay

Picture yourself waking up at the luxurious Peppers Blue on Blue Resort, ready for another day of paddling and exploring. You will have your own apartment with a double bed, plus a delicious daily breakfast included.

You can also bring your partner, who can stay in your apartment at no additional accommodation charge and join us for any of the daily mountain and bush hikes. Our bus can transport the paddlers to the hikes so extra vehicles from participants will be needed if partners are joining us on the hikes. 

Chasing the Wind

Each day is planned around finding the best wind and downwind paddling conditions. Our most common downwind run starts straight out from our hotel and takes us to beautiful Horseshoe Bay.

You will have two coaches on the water, Head Coach Luke Horder and a supporting coach to provide downwind tips and guidance throughout the paddle. A third member of the support team will drive the bus and trailer to the finish, taking your change of clothes so they are ready when you arrive.

Everyone will remain in radio contact using VHF radios, allowing you to focus on your paddling while the coaches communicate important information along the way.

A Flexible Daily Program

We adjust the daily schedule to suit the wind:

• If there is enough wind early in the morning, we will head out for our first downwind paddle, take a short break, then aim for a second downwind paddle. In the afternoon, we will offer a bush hike, with both paddlers and partners welcome.

• If the wind is expected to arrive in the afternoon, we will start with a morning mountain hike, then prepare for paddling for the rest of the day.

All paddles and hikes are optional. We offer the full menu of activities, and you choose each day what you would like to do. Please note the paddling always come first and the hikes are a fun supplement. 

Learn on and off the Water

Between paddles, we offer optional video sessions in front of the TV. These sessions explore downwind paddling skills and give you the opportunity to ask all your questions.

This trip offers much more than downwind paddling alone. We also break the paddle stroke into smaller parts, explaining how to maximise useful forces, reduce friction and use gravity to your advantage so you can paddle faster and more efficiently.

This is both a fitness week and a major learning opportunity. Whether you want a full schedule of paddling and activities or a more relaxed balance, the choice is yours each day.

The Magnetic Island Team Relay

If we have a light-wind day, we may take on a 35 km circumnavigation of Magnetic Island as a fun team relay event. We will organise evenly matched teams of three paddlers, with each person paddling approximately 12–14 km, and see which team makes it around the island first.

This event was the highlight of our last trip!

Trip Dates

Trip	Check-in	Downwind paddling days	Check-out
Trip 1	16 June	17, 18, 19 and 20 June	21 June NEARLY FULL L3 TRIP
Trip 2	21 June	22, 23, 24 and 25 June	26 June NEARLY FULL L3/4 TRIP
Trip 3	22 July	23, 24, 25 and 26 July	27 July INTRO TO DOWNWIND TRIP
Trip 4	27 July	28, 29, 30 and 31 July	1 August SOLD OUT L3/4 TRIP

Choosing Your Trip

After purchasing, please email admin@sydneyharboursurfclub.com.au with:

• Your preferred trip dates.

• Your current ocean paddling level, using the descriptions below.

We will work towards grouping paddlers of similar abilities on each trip. With two coaches on the water and small groups per coach, we can tailor the coaching to the paddling levels on each trip.

Ocean Paddling Levels

L2 Ocean Paddler — Intro to Downwind Trip 

You have had a little practice paddling in ocean bumps and want to learn how to catch runners and paddle downwind.

You may have some fears or concerns about the ocean and would like a comfortable, supportive environment where you can build confidence and learn the basics of ocean paddling.

L3 Ocean Paddler — Linking Runners and Building Speed

You feel comfortable on the ocean and can catch runners, but want to improve your ability to link one run to the next.

Your focus is on learning how to reduce friction and maximise boat speed by using the shape and curves of the ocean swells.

L4 Ocean Paddler — More Downwind Paddling and Greater Efficiency

You already have downwind experience and want more opportunities to paddle in a fantastic location such as Magnetic Island.

You want to go faster, become more efficient on each run and catch more runners. You are looking for a full week of paddling and learning so you can get the most out of the trip

Daily Hikes

We’ll take you on daily hikes to explore the island, including the famous Forts Walk—a 90-minute return walk to WWII ruins overlooking the Coral Sea. There are plenty of koalas to spot along the way, and the hikes range from easy walks to more challenging routes.

Evenings

Each evening, we’ll take you to one of the island’s many restaurants in our 14-seater van. The restaurants offer split bills, making payment easy for everyone.

These dinners are a highlight of the trip—a chance to relax over a few wines, share stories and laughs, and reflect on the fun we’ve all experienced throughout the day.

Flights

Fly from Sydney directly to Townsville, or travel Sydney–Brisbane–Townsville, with Jetstar, Virgin Australia or Qantas.

Choose a morning departure from Sydney so you arrive in Townsville by lunchtime. From the airport, it’s approximately a 10-minute Uber ride to the ferry terminal, where you’ll catch the ferry to Magnetic Island.

The ferry docks right outside Peppers Blue on Blue Resort, so you can wheel your luggage straight to reception.

Ferries run every 30 minutes, and tickets can be purchased here: SeaLink Magnetic Island ferry tickets.

For your return journey, catch the ferry from Magnetic Island to Townsville, then fly Townsville–Sydney directly or Townsville–Brisbane–Sydney.

Accommodation

 

Accommodation

Enjoy five nights at Peppers Blue on Blue, a luxurious, family-friendly resort on Magnetic Island. Set at the water’s edge overlooking the Coral Sea and private marina, the resort offers a beautiful setting with a stunning mountain backdrop.

Trip cost: $3,000 per person

Includes five nights’ accommodation in your own apartment with a double bed or a shared apartment, plus four days of paddling and hikes.

For any questions, please email admin@sydneyharboursurfclub.com.au.

Please do not book flights until we have confirmed your spot.

Flights, transfers, food and beverages, and additional tourist activities are at your own arrangement and expense.

 SHSC Paddle Trip Cancellation Policy