The F.O.C.K.: Festival of Canoe and Kayak, Australia’s number one recreational paddling event, concluded its three-day celebration on Sunday, bringing a splash of joy and community spirit to Kangaroo Valley in southern NSW.
Despite some wet weather in the surrounding areas, the festival venue remained a hub of activity as enthusiasts of all ages and skills gathered from August 8 to 10 for a weekend of paddles, camaraderie, and fun.
While the festival showcased the best of Australia's paddling culture, it also had its unique challenges. The ambitious world record attempt for the longest line of paddle-propelled watercraft fell just short of its goal.
Festival Director Dylan Jones quipped, "We'll call it a 'near-record.' We discovered that getting a thousand canoes to line up perfectly is a bit like herding wet cats, but we had a blast trying!"
The festival's lineup of unique events and activities proved to be a major success.
A significant highlight was the powerful corroboree, presented by local Aboriginal company Gadhungal Marring, which celebrated the rich cultural heritage of the area.
The inaugural "canoeber-toss" — a humorous nod to the Scottish caber toss, but with a canoe — was a crowd-pleaser, drawing cheers and laughter.
For the younger attendees, a vibrant canoe painting activity, led by social enterprise Eden Canoes, was a certified hit, leaving a colourful legacy on display.
Reflecting on the weekend, Dylan Jones praised the community's support. “It’s great to be a part of the Kangaroo Valley where we consistently punch well above our weight in hosting unique and innovative events and experiences," he said. “We’re so grateful for the community’s support – we had more amazing sponsors, partners, and supporters than we can count — too many to mention by name!”
Natalie Harker from The Kangaroo Valley Chamber of Commerce and Tourism echoed this sentiment, stating, “It was a delight to once again see paddlers from all walks of life turning up with all kinds of canoes, kayaks and other paddle-craft in tow. “We were thrilled to see how many interstate travellers made the journey to spend time messing about in boats in this amazing location. Everyone had a hoot – it was such a great weekend."
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