Dragons Abreast : Launceston, Tasmania

Quick links

Launceston

contact: launceston@dragonsabreast.com.au

Dragons Abreast Launceston, Northern Tasmania [DANTI]

Dragons Abreast Northern Tasmania Inc aka The Tamar Titillaters, joined the other Dragon Boat clubs in Tasmania on Feb. 12-13 2011 at Lake Barrington for the first State competition, hosted by Nipples on Ripples from Devonport.

This Championship rowing course is a superb venue, picturesque, big, good facilities, good viewing and the weather was kind for the weekend.

It was such a successful weekend that we hope to see it become an annual event. With four boats competing, there were two races of 250m, one of 500m and a handicap 250m, all raced in the morning.

Derwent Storm, the only Dragon Boat Sports Club in Tasmania, won all of the races, except the handicap which was well run and won by Nipples on Ripples. The Hobart DA team were second, and the Storms really did storm up the short course to come in a very close third, after a hefty handicap, and the very tired crew from Launceston were just behind in fourth place.

It should be mentioned that the Launceston boat only had 12 paddlers for 3 of their races, so are to be highly commended for a supreme effort.

After lunch, when most paddlers would be looking to lounge around and watch others paddle, the four boats once again filled up and paddled off up the lake for 4 kms to the Forth Falls, did some jazzy photo shots around the waterfall, then paddled back to wine, cheese and biscuits before a home cooked dinner of roast chicken – way to go Nipples on Ripples. Three Titillaters donned swimming gear and braved the Lake – foolish girls.

In the evening it was so good to relax and really get to know the other dragon boat paddlers from around the State. A great feeling of friendship and enthusiasm was the main buzz for the evening. Many of the Launceston paddlers were new members and had never raced before, nor met other teams. We had done a day at the St. Helens Regatta on Georges Bay a few weeks before this, but it was only a solo demonstration, although we paddled most of the day – but it was out on the ocean, not the Tamar River so that was exhilarating.

The evening entertainment at Lake Barrington included the wonderful dragon boater Joanne from Devonport giving us a terrific selection of songs, mostly from our own youth – so everyone was joining in “Under the Boardwalk” and other classics. Her rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Halleluiah”, dedicated to her daughter serving in Afghanistan, was extremely moving.

The Nipples team had then rigged up an outdoor theatre, under the stars, and we watched and sang along with “Mama Mia!” all well rugged up against cold and mozzies. But what a great night.

Sunday saw the Storms giving the “pinkies” some excellent training technique tips that we are already putting into practice. We intend to give those Nipples a run for their money at the Devonport Regatta in March. Good friendly rivalry that never loses sight of why we “pinkies” are paddling – for support, friendship, exercise and generally just to have a good time on the water, and off the water.

Many thanks to the Devonport team for hosting the inaugural State racing day, and many thanks to the two Hobart teams who travelled up with their racing boats to take part in this inaugural, soon to be annual, event.

We are paddling a demonstration at the Hillwood Regatta on Feb. 29th and at the Devonport Regatta on March 6th, we are racing for the trophy currently held by Devonport.