PORT Stephens’ finest paddlers are gearing up for this Sunday’s gruelling Ord River Marathon.
After 10 months of intensive training, a batch of warriors from the Port Stephens Dragon Boat Club based at Soldiers Point will compete in the annual 55-kilometre marathon paddle down Western Australia’s mighty Ord River.
Held each year across the June long weekend, the spectacular event stretches from the Lake Argyle Dam wall to the Celebrity Tree Boat Ramp in Lilly Lagoon, Kununurra.
Paddlers enjoy the enthralling Kimberley landscape while making amazing memories.
The event is highly scenic but also requires a high level of endurance fitness.
Port Stephens Dragon Boat Club president Karyn Price said that the Ord River Marathon is not a race.
“It is a unique event hosted by the Kununurra Dragon Boat Club where all teams support each other while traversing along the river,” she said.
Club stalwart Karyn is one of 18 Port Stephens paddlers who will travel to Western Australia to compete in the marathon.
Other paddlers include Jodie Blake, Brendon Jones, Kelly, Peter Mullen, Kate Stenhouse, Troy Vingerhoed, Sally Hickman, Andrew Hickman, Sue Peters, Judy Nisbet, Ali Parker, Jacinta Veitch, Linda Reilly, Kerry Agland, Libby Ingersole, Kerry Jacobs and Neville Jacobs.
A strong Port Stephens crew turned in strong performances at the recent Urunga Dragon Boat Regatta hosted by the Kalang River Dragons.
Shane Ford, Mon Lampard, Sandra Lyons, Sue Peters, Linda Reilly, Sally Hickman and Andrew Hickman finished the 100m dash before linking with Central Coast and clocking an amazing time of 38:09 to secure fifth place in the 7km race.
Both Sally and Andrew Hickman competed in two 7km races that day – an incredible feat.
Port Stephens backed up the racing by reaching the finals in the Mixed 20s, Womens 20s, Open 10s and Womens 10s where they collected a bronze medal.
Linda Lyle, a seasoned paddler formerly of Canberra, was one of six new paddlers from the Port Stephens club that attended their first regatta.
Others included Ina George, Janine Glance-Wilson, Malcom and Rachel O’Connor.
By Chris KARAS
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
