The Mako Paddle Club, made up of over 50 members, have started a GoFundMe to raise funds for a new boat, as one of their current boats presents as a potential danger.

The club started with a "ready for the scrap heap" boat for $250 with paddles donated from the dragon boating community.

"The fact that it was $250 speaks to the boats condition," explained club the co-founder, Kristen Chick.

"The boat is now waterlogged and weighs 150 kilograms more than it should, it's extremely rotten and not safe at all. Members can't lift it safely."

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Formed in November 2019, the club is Australia's newest dragon boat club. As the group is growing in size, Mrs Chick said the need for a safer boat is a pressing issue.

A new boat will cost $17,000. The club are hoping to raise half the funds for a new boat, and have so far reached over $3,700.

Mrs Chick said while city clubs paddle their association boats, country clubs have to purchase their own.

"In metropolitan areas, there's a state association that owns all the boats and then the clubs go to that location and use the boats," said Mrs Chick.

"But when you're a regional club or you're trying to start your own club, you have to buy your own equipment.

"When you're in a small coastal town and the COVID-19 has just passed, there aren't many sponsorships anywhere. So we've been doing whatever we can including Bunnings sausage sizzles and trivia nights at the Huskisson pub."

Mrs Chick said the club is a "mixed bag" of experienced and beginner rowers, all who love the community they have found at Mako.

"In the club our general age bracket is 18 to 50. We've got school teachers, pilots, military servants, mums who have given it a go for the first time, business owners - it's a fabulous mixed bag," she said.

"We've built such an amazing community where people have come and learn a new sport that's not only great for physical fitness, but for mental health, too.

"Whatever life is throwing at you, you leave your issues on the shore, jump on board the boat and you start paddling together on the boat in synchronicity with people that love and support you and get back to the shore as a new person."

After raising just over half the funds, Mrs Chick said the fundraiser is losing momentum but hopes it picks back up.

"It's kind of getting a bit desperate but this club means a lot to us and we're doing all we can," she said.

To donate, visit: www.gofundme.com/f/mako-paddle-clubs-new-dragon-boat

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