Following a surreal paddle along Oyster Channel to Carr’s Drive and then onwards towards Wooloweyah, Clarence Coast Dragon Boat Club enjoyed an Election Day sausage sizzle. As the sausages were cooking, paddlers had an array of SCOnes and SHORTbread to taste. 
 
Members also rose to the challenge to submit a song to contribute to the CCDBC Election Day Playlist. And what an amazing Playlist it was!!!! Congratulations to Ms Ree who took the challenge to the next level. Ms Ree chose to follow the whole campaign!!!
 
Election announced:      ‘Here we go again’  Demi Lovato
Week 1:               ‘Suspicious Minds’  Elvis Presley
Week 2:               ‘Another one bites the Dust’  Queen
Week 3:               ‘Won’t Back Down’  Tom Petty
Week 4:               ‘I Wanna get me a Gun’  Bill Wyman  (Homage to Pauline)
Week 5:               ‘I still haven’t found what I’m Looking For’  U2
Week 6:               ‘Under Pressure’  Queen, David Bowie
And at the end of it all…..’I still call Australia Home’  Peter Allen
 
Highly commended went to Bruce – ‘Stuck in the Middle with You’ (Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am stuck in the middle with you); Maureen - Can't Get No Satisfaction and Sue - Empty Promises. What a clever mob are we! Remember it may sound a little strange and mythical, but dragon boating is becoming an increasingly popular form of fitness. Contact Lesley 0413 303 995 if you are interested in joining us on the magnificent Clarence River Wednesday 2.30pm and Saturday 7.30am at the Moby Dick Boat Ramp, Yamba.
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Two highlights for Clarence Coast and Grafton Dragon Boat Paddlers within four days – ANZAC Day and The Westpac Helicopter Appeal – what a memory to tuck away for all involved.

25th April saw Clarence Coast members’ presence at the Dawn Service at Yamba and then car pool to ‘The Farm’ at McLennans Rd, South Grafton for an ANZAC paddle with Grafton Dragon Boat Club.

8am and two dragon boats hit the water for a memorable paddle around Carr’s Island.

As both boats drew alongside, the Ode was solemnly read and members placed a sprig of rosemary into the waters and paddlers reflected on how lucky we are to live and have family in both Australia and New Zealand.  Following a surreal paddle, watched closely by a territorial circling hawk, we returned for a breakfast feast of bacon and egg rolls, fresh fruit and juice. The morning was completed with the traditional rowdy game of 2-UP with the river and a magnificent fig tree as the backdrop. A special thank you to Andy and Vicki for their hospitality!
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Sunday again saw the commitment of three clubs, Clarence Coast, Grafton and Rainbows Ballina Dragon Boat Clubs to the inaugural Westpac Helicopter Chopper Paddle from Big River Sailing Club, Harwood to Iluka, the final day of Hell on Water.  In near perfect conditions, the 3 dragon boats set off first and wound their way down the mighty Clarence River, morning tea at Goodwood Island  and then on to Iluka to be greeted by a sausage and steak sandwich and a refreshing ale from the Sedgers Reef Hotel.  An amazing two days of paddling – magic!