Almost 400 paddlers will put their power to the test in Newcastle this weekend as the city hosts the state's largest regatta for outrigger canoes.
Newcastle Outrigger Canoe Club will bring the ancient Polynesian tradition, turned popular sport, to the city's harbour as teams from across NSW battle it out in a spectacular display of speed, balance and endurance.
Deputy Lord Mayor Cr McCabe joins Newcastle Outrigger Canoe Club Vice President Vaughan Hakaraia with club members alongside a six-person outrigger canoe, named Whibayganba at Throsby Creek. The Pasha Dasha Regatta is one of 19 events to have shared in more than $155,000 from City of Newcastle's annual event sponsorship program.
Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe said the funding program helps support the growth and sustainability of the city's visitor economy while enhancing Newcastle's reputation as an events destination.
"City of Newcastle is committed to getting behind events that showcase Newcastle as a vibrant destination for visitors and locals," Cr McCabe said.
"Through our annual sponsorship program we support events at all levels, from local community activations to nationally recognised events, helping to drive visitation and deliver meaningful economic benefits to the city.
"We're thrilled to welcome hundreds of competitors, their families and supporters to Newcastle for this weekend's Pasha Dasha Regatta, which will also provide a fantastic spectacle for locals to watch and enjoy."
Newcastle Outrigger Canoe Club Vice President Vaughan Hakaraia said he was grateful for the support from City of Newcastle, which will help them deliver their 15th annual Pasha Dasha Regatta on 17 January.
"As a local club, we're proud to facilitate what has become the largest club regatta in New South Wales," Mr Hakaraia said.
"This is our biggest annual event, attracting hundreds of participants from across the state, travelling from the south at Wollongong and north from Port Macquarie.
"The event has been running since 2010 and we're proud to host the 15th annual regatta in Newcastle and showcase the iconic harbour."
The regatta is just the tip of the iceberg in a packed events calendar supported by City of Newcastle.
Upcoming sporting events will see competitors travel to Newcastle from across the Hunter and around the state, including for the sixth action-packed edition of the Beach 5s rugby festival, which will be held at Nobbys Beach from 24-26 January.
Hundreds of swimmers are expected to take to the open water for the 30th anniversary of Stockton Surf Lifesaving Club's popular Newcastle Harbour Swim on 26 January, while Stockton will also play host to the Island Triathlon Festival on 31 January and 1 February with two fitness-fuelled days of running, triathlon, and aquathlon events. The focus will then be on the road when thousands of runners take on one of the city's most challenging courses with the Hill to Harbour race on 29 March.
The Newcastle Show (27 February - 1 March) and Newcastle Chilli Festival (22 March) offer other options for locals and visitors looking to spice up a trip to the city in coming months, with City of Newcastle's event sponsorship program also supporting a range of activities celebrating community, culture, food and drink.
To stay up-to-date with all the events happening across Newcastle visit visitnewcastle.com.au/whats-on, or to find out more about City of Newcastle's annual event sponsorship program visit newcastle.nsw.gov.au/sponsorship
