“An overnight storm certainly deterred several competitors and quite a few cub scouts but, surprisingly, we survived the day without any rain,” Paddlefest spokesperson Graeme Hooper said.

Kayak and stand-up paddleboard events were held early in the morning but, after the first heats of the dragonboats, conditions was deemed too dangerous so teams were split and placed in outriggers .

The Anytime Fitness team won the substituted outrigger event.

Paddlefest raised $14,000 for local families impacted by cancer, and the John Hunter Hospital youth mental health unit.