The Great Lakes Pearl Dragons are gearing up for the Taree Dragon Boat Challenge on January 28 and 29 on the Manning River.
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The club is set to compete in three categories: the women’s 20’s event, mixed and men’s 10’s.
Heading into the Taree Regatta, the club competed in a NSW Regatta Series event in Penrith on January 15.
Despite posting several personal best times and reaching a final, the Dragons unfortunately walked away with no medals.
Dragons manager Rejane Chapman said the club is looking forward to returning to the Manning-Great Lakes region to compete against local clubs.
“It’s very enjoyable from the view as we have beautiful water areas,” Rejane said.
The men’s 10’s team will contest the Taree Regatta as a combination of several clubs due to the lack of male members for the Pearl Dragons.
The Pearl Dragons are calling on more men to join the team ahead of the 2017 season with the hope of running a full men’s team in the future.
With the Taree Regatta attracting entries from across the state, Rejane predicts teams emanating from Port Macquarie, Kempsey and Newcastle will be the hardest to beat after consistent form in 2016.
The Pearl Dragons will be in attendance for the Chinese New Year Dragon Boat Festival on February 11 in Darling Harbour, Sydney before venturing to the Australian Dragon Boat Championships on April 19 in Albury-Wodonga.
Rejane expects a large turnout and fierce competition from outer-state clubs in this event.
August is set to be a big month for club members Wendy Orman and Frank Fenech who have been selected for the Australian Auroras at the 13th World Nations Championship in China.
