The classic was an inaugural event with individual and team categories.

Our locals formed a combined team with other members from Coffs Coast, Grafton and Manning for the Dragon Boat event.

Overall there were almost 200 competitors with Titivators Urunga the main organisers.

In the Dragon Boats category, five teams were entered with three combined.

Belinda Fowler, Chereyll Beard, Anna Kirk, Robyn & Graham Brown, Megan Haggart, Brian Clerk and Amanda Wicks formed the Kempsey contingent for their combined side.

Fowler said everything went to plan for their team.

"We had a good race plan and executed it brilliantly," she told the Argus.

"There was so much cheering and yelling at the end - everyone just got straight into the water after finishing because we were so exhausted.

"The last kilometre everyone just put in and powered through, everyone was cheering along the riverbank."

With the race going for well over an hour, Fowler commented there's still a few sore bodies days later.

Prior to the event, five members of the Kempsey Macleay River Rats also received the news they'd been selected in the Northern regional team to compete at the inaugural region vs region regatta at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.

The event will be held on March 28 with paddlers from across the state competing.

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