Emma Pritchard

The Grafton Dragon Boat Club 2024 Regatta attracted a large crowd of spectators to the edge of the Clarence River alongside Memorial Park on March 9 and 10 as they eagerly sought the best vantage points to watch the high-powered action on the water.

More than 50 paddlers participated in the popular annual event, with teams travelling from as far as Forster and Queensland to race for glory on one of the country’s most spectacular waterways.

Feature events on the weekend included a race to Peanut Island on Saturday followed by a series of short course sprints over 200m on Sunday.

As teams of 20 competitors relished the superb racing conditions, vigorously immersing their blades into the water at precise 60-degree angles while keeping in time with the rhythmic beating of the drummers on board as they approached the finish line, the crowds cheered enthusiastically and applauded their efforts.

The Grafton Dragon Boat Club 2024 Regatta was proudly sponsored by Clarence Valley Council (CVC), Grafton Toyota, and the Crown Hotel Motel.