Congratulations to everyone who took part in the 20th annual Melbourne International Dragon Boat Festival conducted by the VDBA. This year it was incorporated into the Moomba Waterfest long weekend. The event was fitted in around the infamous "Birdman Rally" and the Masters Waterskiing, so by mid to late morning the crowds were huge!
In an exciting challenge, the Dragons Abreast Cup was won by the Bendigo team with a time of 2.40.12 just a dragon's whisker ahead of the Melbourne team finishing in 2.40.49! We welcomed several new paddlers this season and were very pleased that 5 of the dynamic & dedicated Geelong women were able to come to Melbourne once a week to learn the paddling technique with our coach, Don and join with us to experience the excitement of the races. The mixed supporters' team fronted up valiantly for their 8.20 am race and had a good straight race in 2.38.28. Every team raced twice and then we had our beautiful Flowers on the Water ceremony with a moving commentary from our spiritual leader, Pamela Williams.
Our boat, the "Judy Costello" looks stunning with the Dragons Abreast logo and BCNA Pink lady and we are all very proud to be paddling in her; it makes such a wonderful statement to see our message so out there in our teams of hot pink on the Yarra in front of so many people.
Anyone wanting to be part of a Dragons Abreast team in the Mother's Day Classic (Sunday 9th May) Fun Walk 4km or Run 8km around the scenic Tan Track, Royal Botanic Gardens please get back to me asap (before 28/4) -we are putting in a team entry to raise funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation - $20 per adult. For more info check out www.mothersdayclassic or ask me!
News re. Vancouver: dates are 24 & 25th June, 2005 - if you are interested keep an eye on the DAA website www.dragonsabreast.com.au & check out the latest news bulletins. Anyone who is not yet an individual member ($10) of DAA Ltd, I can forward application form.
Cheers for now, Pru
Dragons Abreast Victoria Inc - Newsletter: 6/1/04
Welcome back:
I hope everybody had a great Xmas & wish you all a happy & especially healthy 2004!
Diary dates:
We return to training on the Yarra from the Christmas break at 7pm on Tuesday January 13th.
The last chance for a Safety Drill for anybody wanting to paddle this season is on Wednesday 14th January at 6pm at the Melbourne Sports & Aquatic centre, Albert Park. Many thanks to Annette Kent for organizing the drills this season; please contact her on 9505 6765 for more info.
Pru will be talking to a group in Geelong on Friday 23rd January - they are keen to recruit more paddlers to train on the Barwon. Contact Tracie King on 5288 7272 for more info.
The Bendigo team will be coming down to train on the Yarra on Tuesday 27th January and possibly Thursday 5th February, so it would be great if we could all train together on those evenings. Judy Chapman on 5449 6448 is coordinating, and the whole team is working hard.
Mel is organizing a Weekend retreat at the Otis Foundation in Bendigo from Friday 13th, Sat 14th & Sun 15th February; please contact her on 9702 0938 for more info.
Time trials are on Sunday February 22nd, 2004.
This season the Melbourne International Dragon Boat Festival will be part of the Melbourne Moomba Riverfest long weekend on Sunday 7 March, 2004. Crowds are expected to be huge!
Training on the Yarra over Summer is on Tuesdays 7-8pm and Thursday evenings from 6-7pm. There is no requirement to train every evening, but team members travel from far & wide as it's magic down there on a balmy night. We have also arranged for a boat to be located in the South-East metro area at the canoe club at Paterson Lakes and are about to organize some training sessions there.
To date we have about 50 paddlers/supporters registered, with approximately 20 new to the sport plus the Bendigo team consists of 30. We expect to enter 3 or 4 boats in the Melbourne International Dragon Boat Festival. I really need those of you who have not yet trained this season to let me know NOW if you want a seat; we don't want to enter a team, then have an empty boat!
Our boat, the "Judy Costello" has been painted and looks fantastic- & now permanently at home on the Yarra river. The group became incorporated recently. Thanks also to Marjie for her great effort with the raffle.
Celebrate Chinese New Year paddling at Darling Harbour, Sydney -8th February or Easter (9-11 April) in Perth for the National Dragon Boat Championships; see www.dragonsabreast.com.au for more info.
Dragons Abreast Victoria began in December 2001 and we entered two boats in the Melbourne International Dragon Boat Festival which took place on Sunday 17 March 2002. Click here to see the photographs.....
We are a group of happy, well balanced women who are thoroughly enjoying the exercise and camaraderie we have experienced as members of the team. We have team members who travel from Bendigo, Ballarat, Berwick, Tynong North and Mount Eliza to come along to train on the Yarra river, although there is no requirement that team members attend every training session. During preparation for the festival our training sessions are on Tuesday evenings 7.00-8.00pm and Thursday evenings 6.00-7.00pm. We will continue with the team after the festival and we expect we will have several boats in next year's festival. So if you would like to join our team please contact Pamela Williams on 03 9592 6352 for further details.
Pam Williams, Coordinator, Dragons Abreast Victoria
This page last updated November 24, 2010
