A world cup-style event

About 800 paddlers are set to converge on Gateway Lakes in Wodonga tomorrow and over the weekend for the Cross Border Dragonboat Championship.

The event is set to bring a large cash injection into the local economy with competitors staying in the Border region for the three days.

Dragon Boat Victoria CEO Craig Ryan said the event was the first of its kind in Australia.

“The event differs from usual regattas with a world cup-style concept being trialled,” he said.

It will involve a team competing in both mixed 20s and open and women’s 10s crews across a range of distances.

Mr Ryan encouraged locals to come on down to Gateway Lakes in Wodonga to see the action.

“It’s a great opportunity for locals to see some world class paddling in their own backyard,” he said.

If you can’t catch the action in person, Fox Sports/Kayo will be filming and broadcasting the event live, promoting the sport around the world.

Some of the teams to keep an eye out for include Melbourne Flames from Victoria who are considered the best in Australia, if not the world, alongside The Sloths from NSW.

Also competing will be Melbourne University, the first university club in Australia to form a dragon boat team.

For more information and times click here.