The local dragon boating club held a come and try day to help recruit new people for the sport and show them how much fun it can be.

Bathurst Pan Dragons president Vicki Gransden said the students were given a safety overview before they headed out onto the dam.

“We paddle very close to the edge, we do it slowly, but the thing is we want them to have fun, so we give them some basic instructions and just let them paddle,” she said.

Student Rebecca Qin said the morning with the Bathurst Pan Dragons was a great experience.

“It was a little bit scary to begin with, but with everyone’s encouragement it became easier,” she said.

WSU would like to thank the club, member Deb Clarke in particular, for inviting the students to try dragon boating.

Ms Gransden said the club currently has 20 members, but would like to increase that to at least 22 so it can compete at regattas.

“It is certainly an opportunity to mix with people all over the state and have fun,” she said.

Dragon boating is available to people aged 13 years and older.

Anyone that wants to try the sport can find more information on the Bathurst Pan Dragons website or contact Ms Gransden on 0487 685 087.