Port Macquarie-Hastings and visiting dragonboaters have praised Rocks Ferry Reserve as a venue following a successful regatta on the June long weekend.
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Moving the regatta from Port Macquarie to Wauchope was well received, with paddlers from as far west as Forbes, Orange and Bathurst, north from Coffs and Grafton and as far south as Nowra enjoying the change of venue.
The event was hosted by the Port Macquarie-based Flamin' Dragons.
On Saturday, competitors undertook two kilometre racing up the river and around the island at Rocks Ferry Reserve.
Although the weather wasn't perfect, all participants enjoy the day, said spokesperson Andrew Blundell.
"On Sunday, the main events were 200 metre sprints," he said.
"Wauchope turned on the weather, and for a winters day - everyone was smiling.
"There was tight racing between the men's team with teams coming from Sydney as well as the regions.
"The crowning glory went to the combination Port Macquarie Penrith team inching out the boys from Nambucca.
The crowning glory went to the combination Port Macquarie Penrith team inching out the boys from Nambucca.
- Andrew Blundell
"In the ladies racing, Northern Beaches, Southern Waratahs, Kempsey/Nambucca and the Great Lakes Pearls presented a spectacle of speed and stamina.
It was however the mixed team racing that topped off the day."
Waratahs, Nambucca, Kempsey and Northern Beaches who all recorded finish times in 100ths of a second of each other, Blundell said.
The finish line camera was needed to allocate places.
Feedback from paddlers across NSW was that they loved the river and Rock's Ferry Reserve and would like to see a state based competition held here, he said.
"If that was to be the case up to 60 clubs from across NSW could descend on Wauchope for a weekend," he added.
Thanks must go to the Regatta Committee from Flamin Dragons as well as the Wauchope and Port Macquarie communities, Blundell said.
Flamin' Dragons training is on Tuesday morning 6.30am for 7am on the water - off by 8am; Wednesday afternoon 4.45pm for 5pm outside daylight saving; Thursday afternoon 4.45pm for 5pm outside daylight saving; Saturday 7am for 7.30am on the water; and, Sunday 7am for 7.30am on the water.