SOME of Orange’s Colour City Dragon boaters were able to delay the winter with a trip to the Northern Territory for two events.
Six Orange paddlers first joined with some Dragons Abreast Darwin members to make a team for a regatta in Darwin.
It turned out to be a competitive combination with the team claiming a third place, a second and a first.
The regatta also gave the Orange paddlers a taste of what to expect from the Ord River Marathon, an event which is held every two years.
The 55km marathon attracted 13 Central West paddlers who had to use the unfamiliar West Australian dragon boats which have a hull shape and are made of aluminium to protect against crocodiles.
The team started at the Argyle Dam and would paddle 55km on the Ord River to Kununurra.
The paddle was initially on calm water but Phil Lambert was given the job of steering the team through the first mini rapids known as ‘The Shute’ and they cruised through.
The team paddled 21km before their first break.
All the dragon boats came together with 5km to go and finished the marathon as a flotilla.