Dragon boats return to Lake Canobolas

The 12th Annual Western Region Dragon Boat Regatta made its triumphant return to Lake Canobolas on Sunday, November 6, the first events in two years due to COVID cancellations.

Committee Coordinator Jasmine Vidler said it all went smoothly for the day’s racing and everyone enjoyed competing at the scenic lake on a lovely spring day. 

Co-hosts Orange Clubs Pinnacle Dragons and Colour City Dragons worked with the eight other Western Region Clubs – Dubbo, Forbes, Parkes, Bathurst, Lithgow, Mudgee,  Blue Mountains and Wagga Wagga to organise the regatta.

Dragon boat teams included Canberra Invictus, Sydney Tsunami, Ryde Dragon Boat Club, Penrith Pendragons, Sydney DA, and Pittwater Pinks.

Ryde won the Men’s 10s 200m Final and 200m Mixed Final, while Orange Colour City Dragons won the 200m Women’s Finals, Ryde won the 100m Dash for Cash to take home $100 (sponsored by Peter Ball Mechanical), and Bletchington School won the Community Final ahead of Volcanic Vikings, Ragtag Gypsies/St Mary’s Swifts and Bathurst Got You.

The inaugural 200m Dragons Abreast Challenge was won by Pittwater Pinks, 2nd place DA Western and 3rd Place DA Sydney/Penrith.

More than 50 volunteers helped make the day safe and welcoming including St John Ambulance, SES, officials from Dragons Boat NSW, water umpire boat driver, parking attendants, boat loaders, timekeepers, marshalls, food runners and raffle ticket sellers.

Member for Orange, Philip Donato presented trophies, medals and pins to the winning teams.