The Namoi Dragons have returned home from a successful trip to the Western Region Dragon Boat Regatta.

The trip marked the local Dragons’ first official visit to compete in a regatta since the club was formed earlier this year.

Committee president Karen Kirkby said the club had placed third in nearly all categories.

Dr Kirkby and dragon boater Nicole Power also placed second in the survivors category.

“Participating in the regatta at Orange was a good experience for our paddlers,” Dr Kirkby said.

“The atmosphere was absolutely incredible.”

Locally, the Namoi Dragons are keeping up their training regime.

When water levels allow, and when the lake isn’t overflowing as it has on a few occasions in recent months, the club conducts training at the Narrabri West lake on Sundays.

Club members are also keeping up their training by conducting sessions at the Narrabri Aquatic Centre.

The pool sessions are ideal for endurance and technique, as well as fitness.

Looking ahead to next year, the club hopes to send a team to the Lunar Festival in Sydney.

Namoi Dragons to stage open day, pink paddle session

The Namoi Dragons will stage a Dragon Boat Statewide Come and Try Day tomorrow, November 27.

The day will be combined with a Pink Paddle to raise funds under the Pink Up Namoi campaign for the McGrath Foundation.

The event coincides with a state-wide open day weekend for dragon boating clubs across NSW.

Participants are encouraged to have fun and wear something pink for the day.

The action kicks off at 12.30pm at the Narrabri West Lake.

McGrath Foundation ambassador and director Tracy Bevan will be a guest-of-honour for the paddle session.

The cost is a $5 donation to paddle, with a barbecue held afterwards and costing $5 for a sausage sandwich and a drink.

Participants must wear shoes and are encouraged to bring a hat, sunscreen and water.

Dragon boating ranges from purely social recreational and fitness paddling to very competitive national and international contests on harbours and waterways across Australia and the world.

Age doesn’t matter – anyone from 12-years-old and up can be paddler and examples abound of 80 and 90-year-old dragon boaters with all ages, male and female, in between.

Paddlers get fit while having fun.

No experience is necessary to have a try at paddling.

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