At Roshana Care Group, we believe in the power of community, connection and supporting people to pursue their passions. We were proud to sponsor Team Hurricane Paddling Crew on their incredible journey from Western Australia to compete at the 2026 Hamilton Island Outrigger Cup this past June.
Set against the spectacular backdrop of the Whitsunday Islands on the Great Barrier Reef, the Hamilton Island Outrigger Cup is one of Australia’s most iconic outrigger canoe paddling events. The four-day competition brought together paddlers from across Australia and beyond, celebrating teamwork, resilience, determination and a shared passion for the sport.
For Team Hurricane, the journey was about much more than competition. Travelling an incredible 10,570 kilometres across the country from Western Australia, the team demonstrated the commitment, teamwork and community spirit required to bring such an ambitious journey to life.
Their dedication was reflected in an outstanding performance across four days of competition, with a final medal tally of:
🥇 9 Gold Medals
🥈 4 Silver Medals
🥉 4 Bronze Medals
Among the standout achievements, Justin and Michelle Bloomfield retained their title as the fastest mixed couple in Australia in the two-person outrigger canoe.
On the final day of competition, Team Hurricane continued to demonstrate remarkable strength and endurance in the gruelling 42-kilometre changeover race. The Men’s Masters team, comprising 10 crew members in the 50–60 years average age category, finished an impressive 10th overall in a field of 63 participating teams and fourth in their age category.
Hurricane’s Masters Women also delivered an outstanding performance, securing second place in their age category following a demanding race.
Behind every achievement was a strong team and support network. The journey was made possible through the collective efforts of the paddlers, support boat drivers, onshore and offshore crew, supporters and sponsors. A special acknowledgement goes to Gordon Stimson, Marco Celenza and Justin Bloomfield, who took on the significant responsibility of towing the team’s canoes across the country and back again.
This year also marked the fifth consecutive year Team Hurricane has made the cross-country journey from Western Australia, an inspiring demonstration of commitment, passion and the strength of community.
With the Hamilton Island event expected to pause next year, Team Hurricane is already looking ahead to its next challenge, with plans to make the approximately 9,600-kilometre round trip to compete at the National Championships in Mooloolaba.
At Roshana Care Group, our commitment extends beyond care. We are proud to support initiatives that encourage connection, participation and a strong sense of community. Team Hurricane’s journey is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when people come together with a shared purpose and support one another every step of the way.
We congratulate Team Hurricane on their outstanding achievements and are proud to have played a part in supporting their journey.
