No paddle? No problem

A canoe race with a difference will replace the raft race for Australia Day 2019.

Posted: Wednesday, 16 January 2019

Due to the water levels in Lake Mary Ann being too low (at this stage) for home-made rafts, Australia Day organisers have decided to put in place canoe races with just one BIG rule.

Participants can use buckets, shovels, tennis racquets, lengths of wood, or cricket/softball bats – anything they like, except oars or paddles.

Australia Day Coordinator Ktima Heathcote said that while life jackets will be provided on the day participants are required to be proficient swimmers.

“Three-seater canoes will also be provided and the races will be conducted in heats, depending on the numbers,” she said. “It should be a lot of fun and using canoes gets around the concern of worrying about whether it will rain or not.”

Australia Day on Saturday, 26 January, kicks off at 6am sharp with the Triathlon, starting off at the Tennant Creek Swimming Pool.

Up next is the outdoor brekky and the official celebrations, including Australia Day Awards and the Citizenship Ceremony, at Battery Hill Visitor Centre at 8am.

From 12.30pm onwards, there’s fun for all the family at Lake Mary Ann with games, prizes, a best dressed competition, music and a free community BBQ.

To register for the Triathlon, Canoe Race and Tug of War click on https://www.barkly.nt.gov.au/n...

Download an Australia Day flyer here