The Urunga based regatta hosted by the local Titivators dragon boat club, held in early May, saw the Pearlers compete in an eight kilometre endurance event starting and finishing in the Kalang River.

They finished strong after enduring the pain of the race - a culmination of hard training for months since the return to the water late October.

Day two of the weekend event saw the return to sprint racing over a 200 metre course.

With 16 clubs and more than 700 competitors, this was the biggest regatta representation ever held in the region.

The Pearlers is hoping to attract similar numbers when it hosts a regatta in November.

The Pearlers' starts were fast and furious, a revised technique that they've been training hard in over the weeks prior to the regatta.

Paddling in the mixed event with men and women, the women's event for a boat of 20 and the women's event for a boat with only 10, was a challenge for the club, with only three men being available for these events.

However, the women dug the paddle down hard and fast and brought home the first place trophy for the10s event - this being the inaugural 10s event for our northern region clubs' regattas.

The next regatta as a club will be held in Kempsey during July so it's paddles up and training continues for the dedicated Pearlers.

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