There were teams from Ballina, Camden Haven and South West Rocks in the sports event and eight teams in the local community "invitational" event.

Our throwabout team of champions, The Hopefuls, were in the community event and comprised mostly of people from Bellingen –  Beyondhope Health & Fitness, Bellingen Hockey Club and friends and family.

We went into this with no other goal than having fun at a social gathering with some team comradery thrown in. But we came out the other end with a bronze medal. Winners were Crossfit Coffs, second Dorrigo High School Pirates. What a fantastic day and what an adrenalin rush.

I can’t recommend highly enough  being involved in such an amazing local sporting event. Very professionally run but at the same time very welcoming to novices like us.

Thanks especially to Adrienne Farago and Elizabeth Crane from Coffs dragonboat club for encouraging me to enter a team and for supplying us with boats, paddles and a great venue. Thanks again to my amazing team and our cook and supporters. Who’s in for next year?