Announcing Team Hawaiian: Unstoppable Together

For the past four months, Team Hawaiian has been preparing for the 2026 Hawaiian Ride for Youth, embracing early‑morning wake‑ups, gruelling training rides and a disciplined schedule. Every kilometre they cover is in support of Youth Focus and their vital work in supporting youth mental health.

Pre‑Dawn Starts and Tough Kilometres

Training began four months ago and has followed a consistent rhythm: every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 5:30am. Sessions have included time trials, structured circuits and long weekend rides designed to build strength, endurance, and resilience.

Recently, the team completed a 32km time trial circuit, followed by a demanding 150km ride featuring 1,500m of elevation, bringing the weekly training total to 234km. These efforts have been supported by a strong coaching culture and the camaraderie of the peloton – the kind of team spirit that keeps riders turning up in the dark and pushing through the tough moments.

 The Road Ahead: 700km Over Four and a Half Days

Beginning on Tuesday 24 March, Team Hawaiian will join the peloton to ride 700km from Albany to Perth, taking on hills, headwinds, and long days on the bike. The journey demands strength, teamwork, and grit – all undertaken to raise awareness and funds for youth mental health.

Across the event, 134 riders and 40 support crew will travel through 18 towns as part of three pelotons (Coastal, Inland and Wheatbelt). A fourth group, participating in the 2‑Day Challenge Ride will join from Mandurah, with all 153 riders uniting for the final leg into Perth.

As they move through regional Western Australia, the peloton will stop into 16 local high schools, creating meaningful moments of connection with students and enabling honest, supportive conversations about mental health.

For 24 years, Hawaiian has proudly partnered with Youth Focus, and the Hawaiian Ride for Youth remains one of the most meaningful ways we demonstrate our commitment to supporting young people in Western Australia. Hawaiian’s ethos sits at the heart of this ongoing partnership and the efforts behind the ride.

Each rider brings unique strengths and motivations, united by a shared purpose: to ride for youth mental health and help create a brighter future for young people. Hawaiian is deeply grateful for their dedication and proud to have such committed individuals representing the team.

Representing Hawaiian in this year’s ride are:

• John Slade (Captain)
• Tamara Gibbs
• Nathan Mortimer
• Paul Stobie
• Carol Williams
• Dougal Burton

A ride of this scale relies on more than the riders alone. Behind the scenes, Cliff Rocke and Morgan Muller from Hawaiian have stepped up as part of the support crew, ensuring riders are safe, fuelled and guided along the way. Their contribution is a powerful reminder that the strength of a community often comes from those who lift others up.

To every rider and crew member:  thank you for your commitment, your passion your unwavering belief in making a difference.

Together, we are unstoppable.

For more information about the Hawaiian Ride for Youth, visit: https://www.rideforyouth.com.au/