SOLDIERS Point paddler Brendan Jones is eyeing off a tilt at next year’s World Dragon Boat Nations Championships in Hong Kong.
The 53-year-old ‘water warrior’ has gained selection in a provisional Australian Auroras squad in preparation for the 18th International Dragon Boat Federation World Dragon Boat Racing titles to be staged in China during 2027.
Jones is head coach with the Port Stephens Dragon Boat Club based at Soldiers Point. From a rookie paddler who took up the fast-growing sport in 2021, Jones has developed into a gold medal-winning NSW representative and racing mentor of the highest order within five years.
The Auroras program is a high-performance pathway designed to develop and select athletes to represent Australia at the highest level of dragon boating.
It has been set as a performance-based program with progressive physical benchmarking and progress monitored over the duration of the campaign.
Athletes selected into the program will initially enter a National Squad environment where training, testing and development will occur before final crew selection.
Jones has now set his sights on grabbing a spot in the Australian Auroras Performance Crew to compete in the Senior B (50-59 years) category at next year’s world titles.
His intensive training schedule includes three weekly sessions of paddling in a boat plus two sessions of gym work to stay in peak condition.
Jones is one of six Port Stephens paddlers who will represent Hawkesbury/Hunter Regional squad in this Saturday’s Region v Region regatta at Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith.
He will be joined by clubmates Sandra Lyons of Fingal Bay; Troy Vingerhoad and Kelly Hamilton (Salamander Bay); Medowie’s Bec De Souza and sweep Kate Stenhouse (Soldiers Point).
The regatta is a pathway for State selection and has proved a thriving breeding ground for Port Stephens paddling talent.
Brendan attributes his golden form to an injury-free run over the past 12 months.
Hampered by knee injuries during a 25-year career as an AFL ruckman in his home town of Adelaide, Sydney University and the Nelson Bay Marlins, the competitive iron man has overcome adversity in his short paddling career to get back into top shape.
Port Stephens Dragon Boat Club has organised a Men’s Come and Try session on Saturday, October 17 at Soldiers Point Marina between 9.30am and 11.30pm.
Dragon Boating is one of the fastest-growing water sports in the country – it’s easy on the knees and builds cardio, strength and stamina. Link to register https://form.jotform.com/262592375851870
By Chris KARAS
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