Tag Archives: Paddlefest

paddlefest 2012

Posted on by jeremy

Best yet Paddlefest coming in March

02 Feb, 2012 01:00 AM

IT’S wet, funny and family entertainment at its best.

It is when and where every member can have a go at something enjoyable which is also helpful. It’s Paddlefest.

Centennial Coal is the major sponsor of Paddlefest 2012, the popular water-borne event launched by Rotary Toronto

Sunrise in 2007.

This year the aim is to raise $40,000 towards its assistance campaign to help the homeless in the Lake Macquarie area.

“In 2011 we launched a major Paddlefest fundraising campaign to help homeless youth and families in our area by

providing emergency accommodation. This year we are hoping to raise the money needed to purchase a suitable

property,” Paddlefest Committee chairman Geoff Hurt said.

“We are delighted to have Centennial Coal as our major sponsors again this year to help us reach our fundraising goal.”

The emergency accommodation will be set up to provide more than just shelter.

“It will be a base where support, counseling and life skills will be available to those in need,” he said.

“Our Rotary Club along with Rotary Club of Toronto are working together with the Salvation Army to raise the $250,000

needed to buy the property and we are hoping that the funds raised at Paddlefest will allow us to purchase the house by

the end of this year,” Mr. Hurt said.

Attracting over 500 people last year and raising over $100 000 in the past five years, Paddlefest is a fun filled day with

dragon boat, outrigger and canoe races for novices and experts, a one kilometer lake swim and the High School Team

Challenge seeing schools take on a series of tasks including building and sailing a boat.

“You don’t have to paddle to support us, you can sponsor a school team, volunteer on the day, supply equipment, or simply make a donation via our website www.paddlefest.com.au,”

Mr Hurt concluded. said.

Paddlefest is being held on Sunday March 4 at Speers Point Park.

For more information and to make a donation visit, www.paddlefest.com.au.

Paddlefest was a resounding success

Posted on by jeremy

Whew!

Another box to tick…..will be interesting to see if generate any new members ( a few promises). If not now then sometime in the future. Public exposure on days such as Paddlefest, Maritime Festival etc and interacting with teams from a wide cross section of the community are what help us to establish a bankable reputation….had an enquiry just a couple of days ago from the Conditioning? Coach from the Newcastle Jets about us possibly  doing an off-season training session for the team.!!!

 

You all need to thank each other for making it a top day. The way the 30+ of us from Newc Outriggers and Central Coast DBC worked together to show 9 dragon boat teams & 7 OC6 teams the sport that we play was absolutely b…..  great.

 

I received numerous comments on how well we have managed to continue to do such a top job with the OC races….the mix of sprints and turns/longer races ticked the boxes.  Likewise, our reinstatement as the organising group for the DB racing after a couple of years absence definitely improved the fun & community spirit that is possible…………simply put “ we did not create hassles & just went with the flow”.

We all managed to make the necessary spur of the moment decisions & adjustments that are inherent with days like today.

 

Not wanting to single out any person/group, it was obvious that having autonomous little groups for Admin / timekeeping, Boat Handling, Team minding, Steerers/sweeps etc  is the way to go in the future. The job was there to be done and it was.

 

The Rotary Club are truly grateful for the no fuss way we did our thing & most relieved to be working with our group.

 

THANX

 

 

 

 

Stephen Dawes

 

Regatta Report and Update

Posted on by craig
1. Pittwater Regatta, 21st Feb – top effort from the Mixed and Open crews who tackled the longer course – the 14/16km is a bit of a challenge physically & mentally, & it showed back at the beach after the finish….’recovery juice’ at the Newport Arms helped the rehab. For our newer jockeys : Mel, Jack, Marie ….in at the ‘deep’ end can be daunting but the afterglow is good.
Even more credible was Mel’s steering of the Mixed crew–well beyond the novice category after yesterday’s bumpy but calm conditions.   Looks good for the future mixed/ ladies crew. Lots of learning and hulis ahead & if you talk to Joe you might even have to deal with being squeezed up onto Lion Island !!!      Anyone wanting to join the ranks of the Rearguard can audition.
Have not got the results just yet – our very novice mixed crew passed most of the girls crews and left some mixed in our wake. The boys were about  mid fleet @ 11th  across the line-very hot competition.
2. Next Regatta – 13/14th March – not sure which day as yet. No longer a Relay Race, but will be run from Ettalong on the same water as the Pittwater Regatta….as before. Details to follow – start thinking about entering – various categories, distances to suit strength & ability.
Next next regatta – Saturday 27th March – State Title – Port Stephens. Think about coming – same as Ettalong but more teams and medals (for those interested in this sort of stuff)
Last Regatta of the season – May 2nd – the club hosting this regatta has pulled out so may not happen
3. Paddlefest – Sunday, March 7th –no more info at present. Plenty of smiling faces + paddles required to make the OC action happen…great OC promo potential but at a cost of having to have fun for the day. Still trying to get a couple juniors teams….contact me. Details to follow.
4. Club Training Mon 22nd – Sunday 1st March – times as normal. Let me know if possible.  Lots of new faces which is all good- puts a bit of pressure on canoe availability but this is fixable – another OC2 (Zulu) now available – successfully raced by now deceased icon of the NSW OC scene (Mick Roberts)- unmarked hull & very long rudder that is easily damaged by brain dead paddlers.