Pinnacle Dragons Orange Boat Club members thrilled to be back on the water after four month hiatus

But after four months without a meet, members of the Pinnacle Dragons Orange Boat Club would have turned up whatever the weather.

"It wouldn't have mattered if it had been bucketing with rain, we would have still really enjoyed it," said head coach and club co-founder Pearl Butcher.

"It was just so good to get out there and working together."

The easing of COVID restrictions last week enabled club members to get back to their regular Sunday training session, and to look forward to a return to "normality" over their summer season (with health and safety provisos of course).

Mrs Butcher was one of a small group who started dragon boating activities in Orange 14 years ago.

While the sport is often associated with breast cancer, she said dragon boating involved men and women of all ages, regardless of whether they had been a breast cancer survivor.

"We take members from 11-years-old and I think our oldest member is 80 coming up to 81," she said.

The club caters to all levels, from those looking for a social paddle, through to serious competitors who represent the club at regattas.

Most competitions this year have been cancelled due to COVID, including the Western Region Regatta that was due to take place at Lake Canobolas on November 7.

But Mrs Butcher is hopeful the club can send a team to the next big event on the dragon boating calendar - Race One of the DBNSW Regatta Series at Point Wolstoncroft on November 27-28.

The club is also set to introduce a new program designed specifically for dragon boat beginners.

"Statewide a lot of the clubs are developing a learn-to-paddle program.

"So instead of people just coming along and just wanting to try out dragon boating, we're actually going to run sessions specifically for newcomers.

"We will be having some sessions coming up hopefully within the next month."

Mrs Butcher says dragon boating is great for physical and mental health.

"Being out on the water, it takes you into another realm.

"You may be feeling the stress of work - you just lose it all and go into a place where you feel happy.

"It just puts all the stresses away."

For more information about the Pinnacle Orange Dragon Boat Club visit their website at www.pinnacledragonsabreast.com.au

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