The Macleay River will be buzzing with activity this weekend for the Spirit of the Macleay Dragon Boat Regatta. Hundreds of pumped paddlers will descend on Riverside Park, Kempsey to launch the 2019-20 NSW racing season.
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Kempsey Macleay Dragon Boat Club is hosting the event, which will include a grueling 2km challenge on Saturday, kicking off at around noon. Sunday will see a record number of sport teams battle it out for supremacy in 200 metre sprints. Racing is scheduled to kick off at 8am and will include classes for women, men, mixed and community.
Event coordinator Belinda Fowler said this is the first DBNSW accredited event to be held on the Macleay, and the River Rats are "excited".
"And to be able to include our community, its just so great. There has been so much interest in the event that we have six full community teams participating, and they have been training like mad," Belinda says.
Teams registered include Kempsey Shire Council, Melville High School, Macleay Vocational College, Kempsey Cannonballs Rugby Union Club, Home Instead Senior Care Mid North Coast, and a team of various Community Misfits.
"Its been such a fun time training with these teams, most have never been in a dragon boat before. Its wonderful to share this experience with them and sharing our beautiful river in such a way that they can experience it in all its glory.
"We really are lucky to have such a beautiful river, and its so much more beautiful when you are on it!"
"It's the River Rats hope that there will be lots of spectators supporting the teams on the day and cheering them on. There will be loads of action on the water, and plenty to see and do on shore as well," Belinda says.
Teams have been encouraged to decorate their tents in the theme of Christmas in July, a prize for the best dressed tent, and Community Teams are also encouraged to dress up in the name of fun with prizes up for grabs too.
Santa will be arriving during the day taking down a "wish list"
There will be enetertainment; Kempsey Rotary Club will be there cooking up a storm on the barbecue; and local coffee maestro Fredo Pies are bringing the coffee van.
"So just bring a chair and your loud cheering voice," Belinda says.
