SIX rookie paddlers from the Port Stephens Dragon Boat Club had an experience to savour at their first-ever regatta on the picturesque Kalang River at Urunga on the southern Coffs Coast.
Melanie Brenton, Monique Lampard, Kelly and Dan Hamilton, Jo Delarue and Rebecca Da Sousa all had reasons to smile after completing their maiden two day regatta in scenic surroundings.
Joining the debutants was Shane Ford, who competed in his first regatta with the Port Stephens club.
They were part of a strong Port Stephens contingent of 24 paddlers that tasted success with a swag of medals at the popular regional regatta.
Hosted by the Kalang River Dragons club, the annual event consisted of a 100m dash and seven kilometre race on the Saturday followed by 200m sprint racing on the Sunday.
In a testament of the club’s all round depth, the Port Stephens team clinched three gold medals in the 100m Dash, 200m Mixed 20s and 200m Opens 10s as well as silver in the 200m Women’s 10s and bronze in the 200m Men’s 10s events.
Port Stephens Dragon Boat Club president Karyn Price told News Of The Area that her new paddlers were “settling in nicely and proving to be wonderful acquisitions”.
‘Like most sports our regatta and training has been severely interrupted with bad weather,” quipped Karyn.
“But earlier this month we were back on the water racing at Taree with another two new paddlers Alison Cameron and Heather Forbes experiencing their first regattas and Sally and Andrew Hickman racing for the first time with Port Stephens,” she revealed.
“Whilst there were no medals for this event the team proved very competitive and hopefully building for our next regatta on September 13-14 at Camden Haven,” Karyn added.
Dragon Boat racing is a low-impact, full body workout sport, perfect for any winter sport participants that are looking to continue training and remain fit in their off season amongst a great team environment.
Based at Soldiers Point, the Port Stephens Dragon Boat Club trains Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30pm for one hour and Saturday mornings from 7:30am for ninety minutes.
For further enquiries contact the club via portstephensdragons@gmail.com.au or via Facebook.
By Chris KARAS
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