‘Did you get any medals?’ Is the most common question of all and the seeming measure of success. The short answer: ‘No’. But to experience paddling 500 metre races in a highly esteemed national event is an amazing achievement on its own.

And what we did accomplish were personal best times in every single race category we entered, Women’s, Mixed and Opens with fourth being our best placing on the day and one PB being beaten by 15 seconds.

“It was a fabulous day on Lake Kawana,” State coach Deb Clarke said, “with each and every one of you paddling so strongly with true determination and commitment. I couldn’t ask for more.”

Assistant coach Lou Linke agreed, congratulating the team on a great campaign “You did Regional NSW proud!” If there were prizes for mutual respect and team camaraderie then no-one could have achieved a higher rating.

Rochelle Smith said “Thanks to everyone for being so fun and respectful of one another - we share a bond that means any time people say “Attention!” our heart rate goes through the roof and our eyes light up – hear, hear! to ‘Let it Run’ and ‘Hips to the Gunwale!’ (For those of you who understand ‘dragon-boat-speak’)

Many special moments were shared by the ‘Westies’ as we were affectionately known on the day. Not least were attending the Opening Ceremony together, our shared barbeque, pre-race and post-race dinners and one of the best bits of fun was jumping into the ocean current together in our Nationals Uniforms at the end of Racing Day and forming a starfish as we floated together towards the beach in peals of laughter.

By the time we said goodbye to our Westie teammates from Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo, Lithgow and Wagga Wagga we all realised that the best part of this whole experience had been being together as a team and becoming true friends.