DEFINE WINE

Slow Summer Festival: Dragon Boats paddling for Charity

With the weather continuing to improve and the holidays looming, Orange’s Slow Summer Festival offers residents and visitors the chance to relax and enjoy a day of healthy outdoor entertainment at Lake Canobolas with ‘A Day @ the Beach’.

‘A Day @ the Beach’ is one of the major events of the 2012 Slow Summer Festival and features a raft of family amusement including the inaugural Dragon Boat Challenge, Orange Bush Nippers, the Great Lilo Race and the Amazing Mystery Quest.

The Dragon Boat Challenge is being organised by Orange’s ‘Colour City Dragons’ with funds raised from team sponsorship and donations supporting a range of local charities.

Slow summer organiser, Taste Orange, is inviting everyone to put together a team to join in the challenge, with some friendly competition to see who can raise the most funds.

Each team will consist of twelve paddlers, with a designated ‘drummer’ and a ‘sweep’, along with four members of the Colour City Dragons. However, the team that raises the most sponsorship money will be entitled to two extra paddlers; a substantial advantage to securing a win on the day.

“Dragon Boat racing in Orange has gone from strength to strength. It is one of Australia’s fastest growing sports,” said Pearl Butcher from the Colour City Dragons. “We are now in our fourth season, with members ranging from 12 year olds to 70 year olds.  This will be a fantastic opportunity to have a paddle and raise much needed funds for the charities of the region.” 

“The challenge will include four Dragon Boats, two from our Colour City Dragons, and two kindly supplied by the Dubbo’s Outback Dragons.  We have had some great support from other teams in the western region who are coming along to help on the day.” 

“There will be couple of practice sessions and then, depending upon the number of teams that register, we’ll have heats and possibly some finals in order to determine the winners.”

To enter a team, participants are invited to call Taste Orange on 02 6360 1990.  The entry fee per team is $150, however each team will need to procure sponsorship from friends, family and local business which will be pooled together and donated to a charity of the team’s choice, based on the following results.

1^st Place: 65% of the total prize pool, 2^nd Place: 20%, 3^rd place: 10%, and 4^th place: 5%.  There will also be other prizes awarded on the day, including the best-dressed team.

Dragon Boat Challenge Details:

Date:                         Saturday 21st January 2012

Venue:                      Lake Canobolas, Orange.

Time:                         10.00am to 4.00pm

Bookings:                 Dragon Boat team registrations: Call 02 5310 6657

Cost:                          $150 per team, plus funds raised from sponsorship and donations.

Enquiries:                 Please call Taste Orange on 02 6360 1990 or Mojo Events on 02 5310 6657

Team Details:         Details on the various captains of the Dragon Boats and their teams and charities will follow.

“We’re looking forward to fantastic day at Lake Canobolas,” said Taste Orange’s Rhonda Sear. “This will not only be a great charity fundraiser, but a chance to utilise one of Orange’s great locations with a family day that encourages healthy outdoor activity.”

Further information can be found at www.tasteorange.com.au/slowsummer and