Massive Murray River Paddle
THIS story is best to start with some texts received a few days ago from Orana Dragon Boat paddler, Rhonda Betts:
“Day one done, only 311km to go! Everyone holding up well.
“Over halfway now – 211km behind us and heading to SA. All still holding up well. Weather has been kind.
“Arrived Swan Hill at 3.25pm. All doing well and still in great spirits.”
Me: “Brilliant! Just in time with the rotten weather forecast for the weekend.
Rhonda: “Rotten weather for the weekend ahead? What rock have you been under, Geoff? We’ve had shocking weather for the past two days. It’s been character building!”
I like the attitude of Rhonda Betts and her Outback Dragons.
After kissing the Dragon’s head at Yarrawonga last Monday morning, the twenty-strong crew of western area dragon boat club friends paddled off to Tocumwal (93km). The next day it was another 94km to Picnic Point and on the third day, a shorter haul of 78km to Echuca.
Then the weather really set in and the 62km from Echuca to Torumbarry felt like the full 90-odd!
The last day of the relay, with ten paddlers in the morning and ten on the afternoon shift, was tough but more manageable in the knowledge that it was the