The 2017 WOMDOMNOM paddle was an incredible effort by paddlers and support crews, according to one of the organisers, Andrew McKay.
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The charity event raised around $30,000 for the Black Dog Institute.
“It’s quite satisfying. We’re helping people that suffer depression, bipolar, PTSD and other mental illnesses,” McKay said.
“This would top the amount raised by the WOMDOMNOM to just over $100,000. We’ve been raising money for the Black Dog for the last four years.”
The paddle took place in perfect conditions and involved 153 paddlers travelling 115km along the Macquarie River through Wellington, Dubbo and Narromine in four days.
Twenty-five people started out last Wednesday from the Burrendong Dam wall, paddling 36km into Wellington.
The event officially started in Wellington on the Macquarie (the WOM section) on Thursday.
Participants travelled, in some cases, from as far away as from New Zealand. The youngest participant was 19.
“We definitely try to have a family culture. The main thing we want is for everybody to feel welcome,” McKay said.
“The highlight was the Clontarf Foundation. About a dozen of them came down to help the paddlers with the portage around the South Weir at South Dubbo. To get around the weir we’ve got to walk about 300m. So 12 of their boys came down and carried the boats.
“In recognition the Macquarie Paddle Club will conduct ‘How to paddle safely on the Macquarie River sessions’.
The most challenging part was Minore Falls on day four, McKay said.
“There were a few capsizes there, but it challenged the paddlers to push their boundaries. A couple of people got wet. On Saturday night we drew the raffle. Cassie Bower from Dubbo won first prize – a high-quality Australias kayak.
“The incredible support crew assisted the paddlers including the Red Cross at Wellington and Dubbo Rotary Club. It was an incredible effort by all paddlers and especially the support crew, the dedicated WOMDOMNOM committee to organise a safe paddle down the river raising funds and awareness for the Black Dog Insittue.”