Paddlefest

View Photos from Paddlefest 2008 Here

Sunday 24 February 2008 - 7am to 4pm

Speers Point Park, Lake Macquarie

The Rotary Club of Toronto Sunrise invites you to participate in a day of fun, paddling in Lake Macquarie.

Whether you are an experienced paddler or a novice; a teenager, family crew or grandparent, Paddlefest is an opportunity to join with others who enjoy water sports for an enjoyable family day of paddling and picnicking.

Proceeds from the day will assist disabled boating in western Lake Macquarie.

This year Paddlefest is based at Speers Point Park. All events will start and finish in the Park. On the day, look for the signs directing you to our information and registration area west of the stage.

Entry forms are available at Lifestyle Marine Toronto, Camping World stores or enter by email using the form on this web site.

Download the Entry Form Here.

Events and Timing

Paddlefest 2008 combines canoeing, rowing and dragon boat events.

Registration

We will open for registrations at 7am.
All canoe and kayak paddlers please register before 8am.
Please ensure that your dragon boat team is registered before 10.00am
Rowers will be registered by the Hunter Rowing Club

Canoe races

Choose between a 50km, 50km and 8km course.

50km race commences at 8am
20km race commences at 8.15 am
8km course commences at 8.30am

Choose from the following classes of craft:

Single kayak (K1) and general recreational craft (sit-ons).
Single long recreational (surf skis, sea kayaks, touring kayaks with lengths greater than 520cm)
Double general recreational craft
Double long recreational, with lengths greater than 540cm.

Enter in one of the following divisions:

Men
Women
Junior (16 years and under)
Veteran (over 50 years)

Rowing

A club regatta will be held in the bay from 10am

Dragon boats

Training for all crews will commence at 10am.
Races from 1pm to 4pm
Three heats with the fastest three boats competing in the final

Entry fees

Canoes and kayaks

50km race - $45/boat
20km race - $30/boat
8km race - $15/boat
Family entry - $65 for any combination of races

Rowing

$5 per person

Dragon Boats

$500 per crew (20 people)

Awards

Medals and certificates will be awarded to all division winners during the day.

Canoes and kayaks at 11.30am (short courses) and 2.00pm (50km course)
Rowing at 1pm
Dragon boats at 4pm

Food and Entertainment

Cool drinks, tea and coffee will be available throughout the day

Breakfast egg and bacon sandwiches will be available 7am to 9am

Sausage sandwiches from mid morning

Hear local bands playing at 12 noon

Getting to Speers Point Park

Speers Point Park is Lake Macquarie’s premier lakeside recreation area. It is situated on the shore of Cockle Bay in the north western corner of the lake. The Park is bounded by The Esplanade and Five Islands Road and is easily accessed from all parts of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. There is plenty of parking around the park and at the adjacent Cockle Creek Boat Ramp. A shared cycleway and walkway links the Park to Warners Bay and Booragul.

If you are traveling from Sydney or the Central Coast, use the F3 Freeway and take the Toronto exit. Travellers from Maitland or Raymond Terrace and further north should use the Newcastle Link Road exit from the F3 Freeway and follow signs to Cardiff, Glendale, Speers Point and Toronto, as shown on the maps on this web page.

Need further information?

To find out more, please contact:

Paul Blakemore (Paddlefest Chairman) on 0424244773
Allison Baker, Lifestyle Marine Toronto, on 49591444

Course Maps

Photos from Paddlefest 2007