Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified Grant Hughes as a current member of Manly Warringah Kayak Club. The club has confirmed that his membership ended more than 20 years ago. The article has been amended to clarify his historical association with the club.
More than four decades after representing Australia in international canoe racing, Grant Hughes has added a Masters world title and a doubles silver medal to his long paddling career.
Hughes won gold in the men’s single surfski (SS1) Masters 70–74 category at the 2026 Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships, held in La Vila Joiosa, Spain, from 9 to 11 October. He then partnered with Manly paddler Steven Coulter to claim silver in the men’s doubles (SS2) Masters 130–139 division.
The results add to a competitive career stretching back to at least 1984, when Hughes represented Australia at the Marathon Canoe World Cup in Ireland.
Hughes also has a historical connection to Narrabeen Lagoon through his earlier involvement with Manly Warringah Kayak Club, where he contributed building and carpentry work during the club’s formative years. He is no longer a member of the club.
A world title and another medal with Coulter
Hughes’ individual victory secured the Masters 70–74 world championship title, while his partnership with Coulter produced another podium finish for Australia in the doubles competition.
The experienced paddler has remained involved in different forms of canoeing and paddling over the years, including coaching and participation with family members.
Speaking about his racing, Hughes acknowledged that he is slower off the start than in his younger years but continues to rely on his endurance and ability to finish strongly.
His two medals came during a successful championship campaign for Australia, which finished third on the overall medal table.
Other Australian Masters competitors also reached the podium. Jeremy Norton claimed silver in the men’s SS1 Masters 65–69 category, while Julian Norton-Smith took bronze in the men’s 50–54 division. Wendy Reyntjes secured bronze in the women’s 50–54 event, and Jamie Stubbs and Michael Moschogianis collected silver in the men’s Masters 110–119 doubles.
From clubhouse carpentry to international competition
Hughes’ involvement in the sport goes well beyond his latest championship results.
At the 1984 Marathon Canoe World Cup in Ireland, he competed alongside Brett Worthy in the K2 event, with the Australian pair finishing sixth.
His earlier association with Manly Warringah Kayak Club included working as a builder for founding president Len Turner and contributing carpentry work to the club’s facilities at Berry Reserve on Narrabeen Lagoon.
The club’s original clubhouse opened in December 1989, with Hughes among those recognised in its history for helping with the building work. Although his membership ended more than 20 years ago, his contribution remains part of the club’s early history.
The championships in Spain attracted more than 810 international paddlers, competing across individual and doubles surfski events over a 20-kilometre course.
Australia’s campaign also included Jemma Smith’s third women’s single surfski world title and the inaugural mixed doubles world championship won by Smith and Cory Hill.
The next Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships are scheduled for Tahiti from 30 September to 3 October 2027.
Published 22-October-2026
