The colour and excitement of dragon boat racing comes to Morpeth on Sunday when the Hunter River Dragons host the Port Stephens and Newcastle dragon boating clubs.
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It's the first time the local dragon boat club has hosted it's neighbouring rivals and they are hoping for a big crowd to cheer them along the course from Morpeth to Hinton Bridge and back.
Teams take off from Queen's Wharf at Morpeth at 8.30am and they will paddle to the Hinton Bridge and back to Morpeth Bridge.
Hunter River Dragons spokesperson Irene Hemsworth said the teams hoped to arrive at Hinton by about 9am and then paddle back to Morpeth Bridge.
NSW Dragon Boating gave us permission to establish our own Covid bubble with the Port Stephens, Newcastle and Central Coast clubs while the Sydney area has its own bubble.
"Once NSWDB gave us the OK to resume paddling we have been going to Raymond Terrace and Newcastle until Queen's Wharf reopened," Hemsworth said.
"We've also had a combined event with Port Stephens dragons at Soldiers Point.
"We're hoping to compete in January in a NSW regatta at Point Wholstencroft so we are working towards that, while some members may attend a regatta in Penrith with the Waratah Dragon Club in December."
The Hunter River Dragons beginners program is flourishing with 25 new paddlers taking part.
Any person over 11 years is welcome and the club be contacted on the Hunter River Dragons Facebook page or by phone on 04087274430