‘An amazing effort from every team member’ were the words from club coach Michael Ryan to his team after the Lachlan Dragons gained a place in every final at the recent Central West Dragon Boat Challenge on Orange’s Lake Canobolas.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A very cool, crisp and windy morning greeted teams from Western NSW, North Coast, Canberra and Sydney for the November 15 Dragon Boat Challenge contested by the Lachlan Dragons of the Forbes Dragon Boat Club.
Once again the club was able to enter a team in the Womens and Mixed division and joined with Bathurst for the Mens 10.
Each division completed two heats with all three teams paddling very fast times to make the finals.
Club drummer Carmen Stephens did an excellent job drumming every race for the Lachlan Dragons – nine races in total – keeping paddlers focused and in time.
Club sweeps Kathryn Sweeney and Neil Stephens could not have given the teams a better start to each race and maintained a consistent line throughout the day.
The first final held was the Mens 10s, and as the men had paddled one of the fastest heats of the day, club members and supporters watched eagerly from the bank as the race began.
Lachlan and Outback Dragons from Dubbo raced head-to-head with Outback Dragons just crossing the line in front, giving Lachlan a silver medal.
The Womens final was next and with a crew of only 18, not 22, due to injury and sickness, the ladies were happy to make the final.
Having just watched the men’s excellent final must have spurred the women on, as the Lachlan ladies challenged the Canberra Diamond Phoenix and Pendragons from Penrith all the way.
Lachlan’s womens stroke Helen Rowbotham set an excellent pace for the team for third.
With only a one race break, it was back into the boat for the women to join the men in the Mixed final.
It was interesting to note that all four teams in the Mixed final hailed from Western NSW and included Parkes, Forbes, Dubbo, Bathurst and Orange.
Once again it was Dubbo that put the challenge out to Lachlan and again in a very close final the Dragons came home with the silver medal.
“Dragon boating is all about teamwork, and because each member of the Lachlan Dragons has respect and understanding of their teammates’ abilities, we are able to come together and enjoy each regatta we attend,” club president Bill Thomas said.
“Bringing home medals is nice too.”
The club has no time to rest, as members now focus on the Wagga Regatta to be held November 29 on Lake Albert.
Anyone who would like to give dragon boating a try, the club paddles Thursdays at 6pm and Sundays at 8.30am on Lake Forbes.
