PORT Stephens Dragon Boat Club paddlers continue to demonstrate powerhouse performances on the water.
While 18 of the club’s inspirational crew were completing the arduous 55-kilometre marathon paddle down Western Australia’s famous Ord River earlier this month, another five paddlers travelled north to participate in the annual Flamin’ Dragons Wauchope regatta on the Hastings River.
Shane Ford, Gail Hook, Rebecca De Sousa, Rachel O’Connor and Belinda McKay represented the Soldiers Point-based club with distinction on the north coast – producing Herculean efforts to bring back a silver medal.
They linked with paddlers from Hawkesbury, Orange, Coffs Harbour, Deep Water (Central Coast) and the Hunter Region to form a composite crew in the Women’s 20s race at the Rock’s Ferry Reserve.
Despite lining up with only 16 paddlers, the combined crew flashed home to finish second with a commendable effort against top-class opponents.
For talented Port Stephens paddlers O’Connor and McKay they experienced a first – stroking in the New Paddlers race.
The Flamin’ Dragons regatta featured Dragon Boat teams that competed in a 2000-metre turn race, which is all about the skill of turning a 13-metre boat as tightly as possible three times on a course.
Another highlight was the Dragon Boat sprint racing on the second day – 200 metres of fast and furious racing on the picturesque Hastings River.
Hosted by the Flamin’ Dragons Port Macquarie club, the major regional dragon-boating event draws hundreds of paddlers from across the state to compete.
The popular event attracted around 400 competitors representing more than 15 different clubs for the multi-day competition that tests different elements of Dragon Boat racing.
By Chris KARAS
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
