Our Forbes Dragon Boat Club has taken delivery of a brand new boat - and this one will let them get out on the water when they don't have a full crew for training.
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Club member Marg Lambert says the club members have worked hard to raise funds for the new boat.
With the support of sponsor Lakeside Takeaway, Bunnings sausage sizzles and two grants - one from Evolution Mining and one from the Office of Sports through Orange MP Phil Donato - they've achieved their goal and just last week took delivery.
This is actually the club's first new boat purchase, Marg said.
"There was a period of time where actually getting the boat to Forbes was proving difficult with COVID-19 and other issues, but we stuck with it and made it happen," she said.
"We would like to thank Blair Gamble from Auschamps Boats in Queensland for great communication and guiding us through the purchase and delivery, and Michael Jelbart of Jelbart Dawson and Co for the lend of a forklift enabling us to unload the boat on arrival."
Having a 10-seater boat, smaller than the club's other craft, allows the club to train even if there are a limited number of paddlers.
"We can still get out on the water," Marg said.
The club also now has the potential to host training for the NSW Western region dragon boat squad bringing paddlers from Dubbo, Bathurst, Orange, Lithgow and Parkes together.
"We are planning a COVID-safe event in the coming months to showcase dragon boating on Lake Forbes," Marg said.
"This will be dependent on Dragon Boat NSW and NSW Government COVID restrictions of course."
Forbes Dragon Boat club members paddle for fun and exercise on Sunday mornings on the Lake - they christened their new boat on Sunday.
Their Thursday evening sessions will resume when daylight saving starts.
"Anyone can come along and have a try," Marg said.
"Find us on Facebook and come and see what we're all about."
For more information on dragon boating, head online to the Forbes Dragon Boat Facebook page.