Dragon boat open day to entice locals into national champs in Rotorua

ROTORUA 23.11.10: The National Dragon Boat Championships are returning to Rotorua in March and locals are being encouraged to attend an information open day this weekend to get a feel for the event.

The national competition takes place over Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 March 2011, and consists of open, corporate, breast cancer survivor, and school teams.

Rotorua District Council (RDC) is holding a dragon boating information open day at Lake Okareka on Saturday [27 November] from 10am to 12pm to entice more locals to enter next year’s New Zealand champs.

RDC events manager Martin Croft says dragon boat racing is a great sport to be involved in, and Rotorua people would enjoy the opportunity to be part of the national event, especially seeing it’s being held at home in Rotorua next year.

“Not only do participants feel a great sense of achievement just from being involved in such a physical and fun team sport, but there’s also a fantastic social side to the event, with prizegiving an extra highlight of the weekend.

“Rotorua last hosted the competition in 2009 when three local teams participated, including crews representing Rotorua District Council, Te Arawa Paddlers, and Rotorua Boys’ High School. Next year we hope to at least double local participation.

“The open day is an opportunity for people to learn more about the sport and put their names down for a team. It’s open to everybody, from newbies to experienced dragon boaters.”

Anyone interested in attending the open day should turn up to Boyes Beach carpark at Lake Okareka at 9.45am on Saturday [27 November].

Mr Croft says as well as hosting the national dragon boat championship, there are also plans underway to host a Rotorua Super 12 dragon boat competition in early 2011. More details will be released on this later next month.

ENDS

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