CAMDEN Haven fought above their weight at the Port Macquarie Dragonboat Regatta over the long weekend.
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They finished with a third place in the women’s division when they were beaten by Newcastle and a composite team from Forster and Macksville in the final.
Their mixed division counterparts then finished with a fourth place.
With Port Macquarie hosting the regatta, they didn’t field teams in any of the events which featured representatives from Canberra in the south to Coffs Harbour in the north.
Chief judge Andrew Blundell said it was a successful weekend.
“We had teams from Penrith, Newcastle, Dubbo, Central Coast, Sydney, Hawkesbury, Camden Haven, Forster-Tuncurry, Taree, Macksville, Coffs Harbour and Urunga,” Blundell said.
“We (Port Macquarie) chose not to compete because most of our paddlers were helping to run the day and ensuring our visitors had an enjoyable time.
“We committed to organising the day as best we could.”
Blundell said the Camden Haven team competed strongly for the Hastings in most of their events.
“They finished first in a couple of heats, but the strength of the other teams from Sydney and Newcastle came through in the finals,” he said.
“They performed really well.”
On Saturday, an 18-kilometre marathon was held that started at McInherney Park and headed out to the Dennis Bridge and back.
A composite team consisting of members from Penrith, Port Macquarie and South West Rocks won the race in a time of one hour and 17 minutes.
The next regatta will be held at Ballina in August.