Paddles Up! Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast New South Wales, Australia

• Travels with Ben

Camden Haven, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Training @Camden Haven, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

We trained hard. We trained as often as we could. We were dedicated but not desperate. We were paddling to the Nationals, Dragonboat racing on the big stage. There was an electrifying atmosphere within the group. We laughed a lot. Coach pushed us to another Level 4. L 4 love.

Camden Haven, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Haven selection @Camden Haven, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

He even brought his friend ‘Bianca’ along for a drag. She is a holy large plastic bucket (be-anchor). No need to chuck her out coach. Probably not a good friend. Thought she was more like Dirty Diana.

Camden Haven, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Refletions @Camden Haven, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

Yes, we had a few chuckles whilst boating in pristine nature. This event was supposed to be the climax of my short paddling career. In everyone’s career.

Camden Haven, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
News @Camden Haven, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

It wasen’t meant to be. Covid decimated our team the week before the National Race weekend. And Petrus washed our excitement down the drain. It was disheartening. I felt sorry for Coach Dave and his wife Christine in particular. They had planned and organized, the time and energy spent. A small Camden Haven group made it to Penrith, ready to go at 06:00 am.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Regatta @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

I had been given another opportunity to experience and paddle in a Dragonboat Regatta.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Dragons @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

On a much smaller scale, The Kalang River Regatta was held the first weekend in May. May I join?

Bellinger River, Belingen, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Sunny days @Bellinger River, Belingen, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

Held in stunning Urunga, an area I know well. A farm not far.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Perfect @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

The weather conditions were perfect for racing. Heavy rains were forecasted for this weekend. They came early and soaked the ground. I walked around barefoot most time. It’s only natural.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Huddle @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

16 Dragonboat Clubs were combined for a weekend, competing for medals and honour.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Shiny happy people @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

It felt like mini olympics being surrounded by top athletes.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Comedian @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

Many knew fellow dragons for years.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Dashes @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

‘Dashes’ were up first. A hundred-meter sprint, finished before I started.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Meditation @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

Not so much with our next paddle on Saturday afternoon. Quite the opposite, 7.5 kms.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Marathon @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

We gave Ballina a good run for their money. It may be the reason they were the fastest team overall.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Group photo @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

Well done. Well done to all paddlers.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Early Sunday Morning @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

The sunrise on Sunday morning was simply stunning. Calm and perfect conditions yet again.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Reinforcements @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

The rest of the Camden Haven Dragonboat racers arrived early Sunday morning.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Familiar @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

More familiar and happy faces.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Experience @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

Including NSW and Australia’s oldest active paddler at 90 years young. Imagine that?!

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Yellow Dragons @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

The atmosphere lifted. Four of us received earring-sized silver stingrays for our first regatta.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Up next @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

We paddled in various races at the 200-meter mark.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Open @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

Men and women, Open and Mixed sprints.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Ready, steady, go! @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

Four teams in the dragon boats, four teams ready to go next and four teams on stand-by warming up.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Volunteers @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

Volunteers by the river edge sent the new fleet off and welcomed them back after the race. Excess water was scooped out to reduce the overall weight of the boat. It was an amazing experience.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Paddle Up @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

I am glad I got to participate in this lively event with my very good friends.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Camden Haven huddle @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

We gave it our best paddle and had fun doing so.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

There were pumped-up and happy paddlers all around us. It was a social event just as well.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Camden Haven men’s run @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

It was fantastic seeing the boys again, some cheeky and happy faces within.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Smiles @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

The same goes for the girls I trained with.

Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Farewell @Kalang River, Urunga, Mid-North Coast, New South Wales, Australia

I won’t see them again for a while. Keep paddling.

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