The Community Paddle is a 9km paddle starting from Lake Inverell, up the Macintyre River and back to Lake Inverell where lunch is provided. The cost is $45 per person and includes the kayak and paddle hire, all safety accessories, water and lunch.

Those who have their own kayaks, the cost is $25.

There will be free kayak paddles and gear testing for interested community members to try out different kayaks from 12-2.30pm under the guidance of one or two of the paddle guides. This provides people with a chance to try out the kayaks and what suits them.

At 3pm, there will be races on Lake Inverell with many teams already entered. Businesses, groups and individuals entered already include a team each from Inverell Pharmacy, Print Fresh, Connections, Kate Auld and team, Telstra, The Dust Jacket, LEGS, the Bridge coffee shop, and six teams from Brighter Access.

Paddlefest organiser Heinrich Haussler said that teams for 3 PM paddle event 200 meter up the lake 200 meter down the lake teams or individuals. 

“From 3pm we will have some fun races across the lake in single kayaks,” he said.

“Again, the kayaks will be supplied by us and are all of the same make to give everyone the same chance. Cost for the race entry is $20 per person. That will cover you for the single races and the team races. 

“The single races will be held first and the team races will be held last. Each team has three members in the team and teams can be mixed female and male.”

On Sunday, there will be a marathon paddle from the Howell Road site of Copeton Dam departing at 8.30am. A bus will leave the Inverell Tourism Centre at 7.30am to bring those without transport.

The long paddle heads from Howell Road toward Woonulla Bay and into the Gwydir River for a 23 kilometre paddle that should return between 4-4.30pm. Food for two coffee breaks and a lunch plus drinks are provided.

Kayak hire for the long paddle includes kayak, paddles, seat safety vest and drinking water. The cost for the day’s event is $65 including equipment hire and all meals

For participants that bring their own kayak, the fee is $45 and inclides all meals.