Paddlefest
Sunday
1st
March 2009
Speers
Point Park, Lake Macquarie
The
Rotary Club of Toronto Sunrise invites you to participate in a day of
fun,
paddling in Lake Macquarie. Join us for a day of ‘people
power’ in the water.
Whether
you are an experienced paddler or a novice, a teenager, family crew or
grandparent, Paddlefest is a great opportunity to join with other water
sport
enthusiasts for an enjoyable family day afloat on the Lake.
For
the
second year, the centre of Paddlefest action will be Lake
Macquarie’s premier
lakeside recreation area, Speers Point Park. It’s a great
spot
for a summer
picnic and food and drinks will be available all day. All events will
start or
finish in the Park.
All
events in 2009 will be in the northern part of the Lake (Speers Point
to
Eleebana and Marmong Point), with all shorter courses in Cockle Bay,
right in
front of the Park, so it’s easy for spectators to enjoy the
fun.
What’s
new for 2009?
- This
year
we welcome the Lake Macquarie Crocs Masters Swimming Club who will host
a 1.5km lake swim event across Cockle Bay as part of Paddlefest. Entry
forms are avaliable at www.lakeswim.com.au
- For
the
first time there will be a 500m sprint canoe race, with a cash prize
donated by the Mayor and Local Member for Lake Macquarie, Greg Piper.
- Paddlefest
2009 will feature 20km and 5km canoe races, to cater for all classes of
canoe, kayak, ski and recreational sit on craft, and all ages of
paddler.
- We
plan
morning dragon boat heats for teams of 20 people, with a grand final
early in the afternoon.
- Outrigger
races for teams of 5 people will be conducted during the late morning
Is 10km
far enough for a
Sunday
morning paddle?
Entries
will now be accepted for a 10km paddle. This will be one lap of a
course around
the northern part of the lake. 20km paddlers will complete two laps of
this
course.
Registration for the 10km paddle will be $20.
Canoeing
and Kayaking entry form
can be downloaded here
For futher information for Dragon Boat teams click here
For futher information for Outrigger teams click here
All outrigger teams
will practice at 9am for approximately 45
minutes.
Dragon boat teams
have been allocated the training times set out
in the
table below.
Dragon boat training sessions last approximately 45 minutes, partly
land based
and partly on the water. All paddlers must attend and each
team
should
train together.
A little practice will make a big difference to the safety, strength
and
coordination of your team.
If your team cannot possibly attend at the allocated time, please let
us know
as soon as possible and we will try to organise a swap. Phone
Jane
Gwalter (0422770803) or Pam Dean-Jones (0412 278201).
Dragon
boat and outrigger training schedule here
Be in the
running to win an aluminium boat and motor package.
Tickets
will be available at Paddlefest and from local shopping centers over
the coming
months
Proceeds
Paddlefest
is about people power – its fun and it raises much needed
funds
to assist local
community based services for waterway users.
Proceeds
from Paddlefest 2009 will go to the Lake Macquarie Coastal Patrol, to
assist
them to purchase essential equipment to maintain their safe boating
services on
the Lake. Volunteers from the Coastal Patrol and SES will be with us at
Paddlefest.
Part
of
the proceeds from Paddlefest 2009 will also be donated to the Victorian
Bushfire Appeal, via a fund
being established in conjunction with
local
Rotary Clubs in the affected areas. These funds will be used
to
assist
families in need over the coming months. We will be
collecting
donations
at Paddlefest, in addition to setting aside a portion of the
registration
money.
Food and
Drink
- Cool
drinks, tea, coffee and Icecreams will be available throughout the day
- Egg
and
bacon sandwiches will be available from 7am
- Sausage
sandwiches from mid morning
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;
- David
Israel (Paddlefest 2009 Chairman), on 0412234820
- Allison
Baker, Lifestyle Marine Toronto, on 49591444
View Photos from Paddlefest 2008
here
View Photos from Paddlefesr 2007
here
