The new dragon boat paddling season kicked off early in November and the Pink Dragons are all set for some hard training ahead. Some kept up their paddling enthusiasm throughout the winter with Sunday training whilst others kept up their fitness in other ways and took a well earned break from paddling.
Last season ended on a high with the ‘Pinkies’ winning a much prized gold medal and several other medals at the Regional Championships and Nationals. Some of the team also volunteered to collect for Pink Ribbon collection day in October, an event they are always happy to support.
So far this season the team has entered the Hamilton Super 12 and Tauranga Super 12. Both these regattas were great days and a whole lot of fun for everyone, as well as bringing some of the team together and racing for the first time this season. The team has also just taken part in the first of the Auckland-based regattas held annually at Wenderholm. Unfortunately the team took a bit of a dunking following a near collision with another boat and a breaking wave, which managed to capsize the boat despite the best efforts of their coach!
Training has begun in earnest with two training days per week at Westhaven marina. On the agenda after the Christmas break will be The Auckland Anniversary regatta held in the Viaduct Harbour, always a great favourite with many teams. In February a Boat Camp weekend at Kai Iwi lakes takes place and March brings the team back to Regional Championships at Lake Pupuke and Nationals at Ashburton. Somewhere in between there will be some fund raising events which are always well supported by friends and family.
As always the Pinkies are looking for new members and would welcome anyone who has had breast cancer and is keen to join them. Too find out more just go to their website www.pinkdragons.org.nz
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