March 29 2010

To the beat of the drum, paddlers working hard during a race at the New Zealand Dragon Boat National Championships that were held at Lake Hood over the weekend.

 
On Saturday the open grade championship took place and yesterday was the secondary schools' turn.

 It was the first time that Lake Hood has held the national championships after the venue had impressed the Aoraki Dragon Boat Club last year.

 The boat races drew 600 competitors into town for the event, with 24 crews battling for the national open grade title and 12 schools fighting it out for school supremacy.

 The success of the event could make it a candidate to host the International Dragon Boat Championships in future.

- Photo Sarah Chamberlain 270310-SC-194