Founder and organiser Heinrich Haussler said the event is gaining momentum and will serve as an excellent showcase of the region. 

The event has several facets. On March 28, the day begins at 9am with a nine kilometre Community Paddle on Lake Inverell. Those without equipment will be supplied with kayak, paddle, safety vests, drinking water, sunscreen and lunch. Those with their own gear are also very welcome and pay a reduced rate.

For those who would like to try a kayak or paddleboard, instructor Karen Dallas will assist with a variety of paddling equipment available for free.

The lake will clear for fun races beginning at 3pm. Teams are invited to sign up for male, female sprints beginning at 3pm on Saturday. Haussler said several local businesses have already signed up, and Inverell disability support services have already assembled teams.

The evening will conclude with a barbecue and live entertainment.

On Sunday, a bus is scheduled to leave at 7.30am from the Inverell Tourism Centre to take those without their own transport to the Howell Road entrance of Copeton Dam for a 25km paddle that includes all gear and supplies, a morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.

Haussler has a passion for the sport, and said there are several health benefits associated with paddling. He said there was an additional reason behind the event.

“To get people interested in the sport of kayaking. We have the facilities here, we have the rivers, we have the dams,” he said.

He recently bought a book Paddling NSW, and Haussler found Lake Keepit and Pindari Dam listed, but Inverell was not represented.

“And I think that’s a shame that we cannot advertise our area more,” he said. “This is another good way to advertise Inverell, and also when you make people aware of your waterways, they will then also be very keen to protect them more.”