Our Story So Far.
Just a year ago a group of passionate paddlers got together and decided they would like to build a mixed team to race dragon boats. A boat was sourced from the Aoraki Dragon Boat Association along with a bunch of clunky old wooden paddles. Right, we have paddlers, a boat and paddles, whats next? We need someone to steer and they need to be qualified. Aoraki to the rescue again in the form of Rick, the Regional Sweep Co-ordinator. Up to Marlborough he came and ran a sweep training and assessment day. A couple of us had some experience on the back so we did the theory in the morning and took Rick for a tour of our beautiful training ground in the afternoon. Some turning and backing tests were completed and we now had two Level 2 qualified Sweeps.
With all the boxes now ticked Marlborough's newest watersports club was born.
As with evey new baby, we needed a name, around the table we sat with ideas tossed to and fro until the KISS method won out. A dragon boat club from Marlborough is what we are so Marlborough Dragon Boat Club is who we will be. One of our number came up with a logo and the graphic designer friend of another gave it a final polish and our baby now had an identity.
Next came the fun bit. With a couple of practice paddles under our belt it was off to Lake Rua in Christchurch for the aptly named Polar Blast. Our first regatta, all but a pretty casual one. It gave us our first taste of competition but more importantly it introduced us as a team to the rest of Aoraki and we had alot of fun.
Back in Marlborough the recruiting began in ernest. We held an open day in the middle of town. Introduced our Dragon to the local Beavers, Many came and had a go, some liked it, some didn't. Even the ultimate team sport is not for everyone. Fund raising as well, Life Jackets and Carbon Fibre Paddles have now been added to our asset list.
We returned to Christchurch 3 more times to bigger and bigger events. Each time we learnt and improved but always had fun. Then a trip to Akaroa saw us racing in the rain in the sea. Our final trip for the season was South Island Champs at Lake Hood in Ashburton. For the first time we raced in the division we were aiming for, Premier Mixed Standard Boat. 20 paddlers, a caller/drummer and sweep all working together, what a buzz.
We had some pretty pleasing results through our first season but alas the medals evaded us. We always smiled, played fair and had fun. Our biggest goals were to have fun and to get one of our sweeps to Level 3. This we achieved, the fun we got in buckets. Somewhere along the way our racing team also became simply Marlborough Dragons. Thats ok though, the shorter name will be easier to call out at future medal ceremonies.
The excitement is starting to build again as we start our second season. This year our goals are bigger. We will train harder, use what we have learned and show the South Island and New Zealand what Marlborough Dragons can do. Sound like a bit of you. Come join us, what have you got to lose?
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