MILDURA Dragon Boat Club has started the year strongly, with an improved performance at the Falls Creek Regatta.
In the club’s second visit to the picturesque Rocky Valley Lake, the team of 18 came away with five placings from seven starts on Sunday – including two firsts.
In a regatta which included clubs from as far as Bathurst and Forbes in NSW and the Gippsland Lakes in Victoria, Mildura took firsts in the senior B women’s (10s) 200m and the senior C mixed (10s) 200m.
The club also took third place in the senior AB open (10s) 200m, the senior B mixed (10s) 200m and the open 1km (20s).
Club president Karen Davies said the club loved its first visit to the Falls Creek course last year and was rapt with the improved performance in “beautiful” mid-20s temperatures.
“The weather was amazing and the lake is unique, it’s the highest in Australia and the water was untainted, crystal clear,” she said.
“There were a lot of regional teams there and we really enjoyed the whole atmosphere.
“The camaraderie and the results from our training, to achieve what we did what was amazing.
“Most of our crew are 50-plus, and within the age limits we did extremely well.
“We showed we exist and are quite competitive.”
Members of the club train three times a week and the regatta was a key lead-in event to the Victorian Championships in March at the National Water Sports Centre at Carrum, southeast of Melbourne.
Dragon boat racing is a team sport originating in China, with a drummer beating time to ensure paddlers are in sync, and a helmsperson guiding the boat.
The club, which trains on the Murray River near Etiwanda Avenue, is hosting a catered come and try day on February 8 at 8.30am to introduce people to the sport.
The sport has been on the rise in Australia, and has also become renowned for helping people in their cancer recovery.
The Falls Creek event featured trophies for the Breast Cancer Paddlers (20s) 200m and the All Cancer Participants (10s) 200m.
