New South Wales - Merimbula - archives
Sapphire Water Dragons Abreast
general contact
tel: 1300 889 566
ACTregion@dragonsabreast.com.au (Regional Representative)
or merimbula@dragonsabreast.com.au
SAPPHIRE WATER DRAGONS ABREAST IN 2006-2007
This year has been one of mutual support and cooperation between the two teams that go towards making up the Sapphire Water Dragons. Together we can do great things, both in the world of Dragon Boating and in furthering the aims of Dragons Abreast Australia
SWDA has managed to raise a considerable amount of money to aid cancer support in the local area. We have provided petrol and supermarket vouchers to recently diagnosed women, as well as a few moral-bousting gift vouchers to women who are being overwhelmed by their current situation, on the recommendation of the Oncology Social Worker at Bega Hospital.
We have also just voted to donate $2000.00 towards the setting up a recourse library, to be housed at Dr. A J Collins rooms, available to the community upon request, of books, tapes, DVD's etc to assist any women and their families who are living with breast cancer.
SO WHAT HAVE WE DONE IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS?
In October last year the Tura Beach Country Club and the Sunday Golfers again put aside serious golf for a competition where teams of four played 10 ends of bowls while more teams of four played 9 holes of golf, then lunch was served and the golfers became bowlers and vice versa.
This was an opportunity for complete novices to try their hand at another sport assisted by the very patient golf and bowls Club Members who went out of their way to make all the visitors feel at home All that can be said for the Dragon Boaters is that, as ball players, they make great paddlers!
The members of the Sapphire Water Dragons dragon boat team traveled to Canberra on Saturday 21/10/07 and stayed overnight ready to compete in the annual Dragons Abreast Regatta which is held in conjunction with Pink Ribbon Day.
The Pink Sapphires produced one of the fastest heat times of the regatta, and earned them a place in their divisional final.
The final time was not quite as good as it was in the faster heat, but it was enough for the Sapphires to be awarded the third place trophy amid much excitement.
On Saturday 28/10/06, at 10.30am., twenty eight paddlers set off from Gypsy Point, in "Sukha Yana", and various other personal propelled water craft for a paddle 15 kms. down the lake system to Mallacoota. to raise breast cancer awareness as part of Pink Ribbon Day.
It says something for the enthusiasm and commitment to dragon boating of the thirty seven paddlers and support crew who turned up at Gypsy Point at 9am. on the coldest Saturday of the year.
The temperature was a freezing 6 degrees, the rain was sheeting down, and the wind was howling in the tree tops, but the decision was made to paddle to the first scheduled stop at the Genoa Fire Trail Jetty in the lee of the steep River Bank and rethink the situation.
Top Lake to Karbeethong Jetty was a really hard paddle, and it did require an on-water change of one crew member, which was a new experience for everybody, carried out beautifully.
The Mallacoota District Health and Support Service held a "Pink Ribbon Dinner Dance" for paddlers and locals that night to further raise breast cancer awareness, with all profits form the night ($1600.00) going to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
The Sapphire Water Dragons crew had 14 breast and other cancer survivors paddling. One had yet to start her treatment, and one in 14 years post-diagnosis, all the others are in between, All the other paddlers and support crews have been personally touched in some way by breast cancer. They paddled to show that a diagnosis of breast cancer will certainly be life changing, it may well be life-limiting, but it does not have to be life-stopping.
The Sapphire Water Dragons were in Eden on 4th. and 5th. November taking part in the towns annual Whale Festival.
The team donned their blue club T-shirts for the day and had an ample supply of lollies to charm the crowd. Something worked, because the Sapphire Water Dragons were awarded the prize for "best float" in the procession. Many thanks to Charles Helmore who achieved the impossible with very little.
Unfortunately the Try Paddling session planned for Sunday morning had to be canceled due to the weather but disappointment soon turned to hilarity as eight members prepared to take part in the "Whale Rescue" race, which they didn't win, although they were commended for treating the "whale" with tender loving care and attention as they carried him slowly around the course.
The "Capstan Pull" was hard work, as the group strained to pull an uncooperative "Whale" up the launching ramp, and at the end of the day the paddlers had the fastest time and now have custody of a very original trophy, made by Cedric Cocks, until next year.
The Sapphire Water Dragons were wrapping presents outside Allens in Merimbula in the days leading up to Christmas 2006, with all money raised ($800.00) going to cancer support in the local area. The paper, ribbons were kindly donated by Allens, and the raffle, a basket full of Australian goodies for the Christmas table, was donated by the ANZ bank, in Merimbula. 
Competing in the annual Dragon Boat Regatta held at Sydneys Darling Harbour to mark the Chinese New Year, the team from Sapphire Water Dragons had their best results ever in competition.
Looking and feeling fabulous in their new paddling uniform of jade and fuchsia the 22 men and women competed in the mixed masters category.
Achieving PERSONAL BESTS all races, they gained a place in the final, and with an outstanding performance broke their personal best time from an hour before by over 2 seconds to come a very exciting fourth overall.
The team also competed in the Regional final, for dragon boat teams not based in Sydney. There was no age restrictions in this division and the Sapphire Water Dragons again came in fourth by a cats whisker behind Zen, in one of the closest finals of the Regatta
The Sapphire Water Dragons dragon boat club finished its competitive season on a high note by again doing exceptionally well in the Canberra Festival Regatta in March 2007.
Choosing to compete only in the sprint events on the Saturday, the Sapphires completed seven races over four hours, achieving one first, two seconds, three thirds and a forth in the Open and Corporate categories, and although they did not qualify for the finals the times were consistent personal bests over the 200m. distance.
With the serious competitive regattas behind them, the Sapphire Water Dragons continued with their once a month social paddles exploring the different waterways in and around the Bega Valley.
On Sunday 25 March "Sukha Yana" was towed to Brogo Dam. With 16 on board, and a flotilla of kayaks surrounding the dragon boat, the paddlers set off on a leisurely two hour paddle on this magnificent waterway.
Apart from being paddlers extrodinaire, the Sapphire Water Dragons "do" picnics remarkably well and the spread that appeared rapidly over four picnic tables was well and truly up to standard.
The members of the Twofold Bay Yacht Club and the Sapphire Water Dragons Abreast Team combined forces on Sunday 29/4/07 for a fun sailing day out of Quarantine Bay.
The day was a scheduled "picnic day" for the TBYC members and they generously donated the use of their keel boats and clubhouse, not to mention themselves, so the dragon boaters could raise funds ($590.00) to help Dragons Abreast Australia host the annual, world wide 100% Survivor Regatta in Caloundra in September 2007.
Weather-wise the day could have been better, with very little wind and 3 meter swells on the Bay but at least the sun came out as the boats, crewed by many pink-clad sailors, left the pontoon on a Treasure Hunt that took them to the Eden Wharf, over to the Navy Wharf and then home again.
The swell did have several people feeling a little seedy and their green faces did clash somewhat with the pink theme of the day but they recovered in plenty of time to gather back at the clubhouse for a BBQ lunch, and a trivia quiz.
Each year in May SWD/A lend their support to Images Hair salon in Eden for their "cuts for Cancer" appeal to raise funds for the Eden/Pambula cancer Support Group.
This year, as well as running a raffle and handing out information outside the shop on the actual day, we were invited to take part in a further fund raising initiative, a Nude Calender along with many business women in the area.
SWD/A were collectively Miss December, posed lounging over rocks on a deserted beach pretending to be water dragons, clad only in tinsel and manta hats.
This was quite a "big thing" for some of our survivor members but the finished product is a tasteful and fun filled calender which is very popular with the local community. Sales are still ongoing so actual profits are unknown but the first print run sold out within hours
Also in May the SWD/A paddlers joined with the local community to take part in the first Relay for Life to be held in the Bega Valley. this was a huge success and our contribution of $3000.00 was added to everybody else's for a grand total of $75,000.00 for the Cancer Council.
The SWD/A team also won the prize for having the most number of survivors taking part .. 14.
Sapphire Water Dragons and SWD Abreast member Helen Britten has recently returned from an overseas holiday that included five days in Penang to compete in the 28th.Penang International Dragon Boat Festival.
Joining forces with a team of ladies from Currumbin, Qld., and competing in the Breast Cancer Survivors category, Helen was apprehensive about racing over 500 m. as all her training to date had been for the 250m. sprints.
The Australian survivors team won GOLD in both the 10-man boat and the 20-man boat divisions, as well as winning Bronze in the Senior Womens 10's.
Pat Helmore (seated left on couch) returned from four days in Ballina in June. She was one of 15 ladies chosen from around NSW to be awarded a Department of Sport and Recreation Scholarship entitled "Women in Sport Leaders Program".
This was an all expenses paid, intensive training program covering such things as Team Development, Communication Skills, Presentation skills, Goals Plans and Priorities as well as other interesting bits and pieces ... applying for Dept. of Sport and Rec. Grants and Scholarships for example.
There have been two sad losses during the year:
Graham Bell, one of our early paddlers has passed away. Graham and his wife Merille paddled with us in the club's early days and they kindly donated life jackets to the club to get us up and going.
Alice Wood lost her fight with breast cancer in August. Alice was one of three founding members of the Sapphire Water Dragons and Dragons Abreast, the idea of a dragon boating club in Merimbula being hatched while she and Jenny Kimber sat side by side having their chemo treatment in 2004.
Both these survivors were instrumental in getting our club formed in the early days and their loss is a devastating one to their families, to SWD/A and to the Merimbula community.
Pat Helmore
SWDA coordinator
SAPPHIRE WATER DRAGONS IN MALLACOOTA
It says something for the enthusiasm and commitment to dragon boating of the thirty seven paddlers and support crew who turned up at Gipsy Point at 9am. on the coldest Saturday of the year. They were ready to paddle 15kms. down the Genoa River across both Top and Bottom Lakes into Mallacoota township to raise breast cancer awareness as part of Pink Ribbon Day.
The temperature was a freezing 6 degrees, the rain was sheeting down, and the wind was howling in the tree tops, but the decision was made to paddle to the first scheduled stop at the Genoa Fire Trail Jetty in the lee of the steep River Bank and rethink the situation.
Life jackets are compulsory in Victoria, and very handy they proved for protection when the rain changed to driving sleet and within a few minutes all the paddlers were covered in a sparkling layer of icy particles. Kay Lewis, who was drumming, had had the foresight to bring her brolly with her and apart from becoming nearly air-borne at one stage, was possibly the most comfortable of all of the crew.
The weather changed continually in the 5kms. to the first stop, with sun, wind, rain, and hail all putting in an appearance.
"Sukha Yana"s arrival at the Jetty was cheered by the "Roadies', comprising spare paddlers, the walking wounded, and partners of paddlers who had driven down a very ordinary dirt track, carried morning tea in for everybody and lit a welcoming fire in the supplied fire place ready for the on-water crews to thaw out.
Meanwhile the motor support boats went out into Top Lake and made the decision to carry on with the next leg of the journey and all paddlers were advised of the route and the plan. Such is the degree of seamanship, local knowledge, and boatsmanship within the Sapphire Water Dragons members that nobody felt nervous or threatened, just exhilarated to be paddling in such different conditions.
Top Lake to Karbeethong Jetty was a really hard paddle, and it did require an on-water change of one crew member, which was a new experience for everybody, carried out beautifully.
The "Roadies" had set up a BBQ lunch for the crews at Karbeethong Jetty and a large group of locals had gathered to greet the dragon boat. Actually there was a huge crowd of people at the Jetty, the parents of the girls at M.L.C. Marshmead, on the northern side of the Lake, ready for Parents Visiting Weekend and they cheered too while waiting for their daughters to arrive by ferry.
The third leg into Mallacoota was easy, cutting behind Rabbit Island and paddling in choppy but shallow water.
The Mallacoota District Health and Support Service held a "Pink Ribbon Dinner Dance" for paddlers and locals that night to further raise breast cancer awareness, with all profits form the night going to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
The Miva Miva Hall was transformed into a pink fairy land, with 80 people enjoying the atmosphere and food, while Cadillac Jack kept the room rock'n'rolling till midnight.
Helen Britten gave a very courageous speech, about her journey with breast cancer, on behalf of the NBCF and stressed the need for continuing research into the disease that kills nearly 1200 women and men each year.
The Sapphire Water Dragons crew had 14 breast and other cancer survivors paddling. One has yet to start her treatment, and one in 14 years post-diagnosis, all the others are in between, All the other paddlers and support crews have been personally touched in some way by breast cancer. They paddled to show that a diagnosis of breast cancer will certainly be life changing, it may well be life-limiting, but it does not have to be life-stopping.
Early detection is vital!
Paddling in paradise
by Truus Ford
Dragonboating is different in Eden… there are big sharp rocks that suddenly poke out of the water, and there are mussel farms to avoid.
But the swell of the sea was exciting, and the beauty of the pink/red/golden cliffs was breathtaking. The surrounding hills and bushland sounded with carillons of bellbirds, and the sea smelled of fish…..
Twelve Canberrans stayed in the cabins at Quarantine Bay, where Susie the huge friendly and noisy Alsatian welcomed us. Susie shares the running of the place with two other dogs (one of which hopped into a dragonboat hoping for a paddle) and the very hospitable Marge and Mike Snijder.
On the first afternoon we paddled a good few kilometres from Quarantine Bay to Snug Cove, where we admired the resurrected Ukrainian topsail schooner the 'Batkivschyna'. Local sweep Charles Helmore gave us an interesting commentary on Eden as we went.
Food?? … Christmas in July in Eden, at the Lamplighter restaurant … a mountain of roast meats and vegetables, followed by Christmas pudding.
Santa Claus appeared, to give us each a gift, and the one-man-and-a-bit rock band had us on our feet for hours.
On the second day we paddled on Top Lake at Merimbula. This time there were oyster farms to avoid, and a navigation channel to follow. The water was beautifully clear, the day glorious. A barbecue was organised on the shore while we paddled, and there was a coffee shop close by …. what more does a person need?
And for those of us who stayed a second night …... a quiet(?!) Sunday night at the pub bistro, with two tables of dragonboaters and another of water police plus a few other stragglers ended a happy weekend with friendly generous folk in a beautiful part of the country.
CANBERRA AND ILLAWARRA DRAGONS ABREAST TEAMS COME TO THE SOUTH-EAST
by Pat Helmore
There is a lot more to Dragon Boating than racing other teams along a carefully measured course for the honor and glory of winning, accompanied by the huge adrenalin rush that comes with competition.
It is also about team work, forming bonds with other paddlers, and forging friendships along the way. For those people who have survived breast cancer treatment, and for those who have watched loved ones undergo the varying medical indignities that cancer involves it is this side of the sport that is so important.
Thirteen members of Illawarra DA Club and sixteen members of ACT DA visited Eden-Merimbula last weekend for the sole purpose of strengthening the bonds of friendship that have been growing since the Sapphire Water Dragons and SWD Abreast teams began competing 18 months ago.
Arriving on Friday night and Saturday morning, the first activity was two paddling sessions on Twofold Bay, from Quarantine Bay to the wharf and return. For some of the Canberra ladies this was their experience of ocean swell and the challenges to both sweeping and paddling styles that this involves.
Mike and Marge Snijder coordinated afternoon tea on the beach following the voyages, and everybody had time for a brief "nana nap" before going out to dinner at Edens' Lamplighter Restaurant, where Chris and Deane Bibby and their staff had gone to a great deal of trouble to produce a "Christmas in July" theme for the evening.
There was a roaring log fire, Christmas lights, a tree, table trimmings, a three course traditional Christmas dinner, and entertainment by Cadillac Jack (Rod Bryer), accompanied by Chris, who had arrived from the USA that afternoon.
The Sapphire Water Dragons and Dragons Abreast members again showed once again that they really know how to party, and the restaurant was soon pulsating to the beat of "That Old Time Rock'n'Roll"
Luckily, the log fire had died down!
Santa made a brief appearance and distributed fun presents to all, regardless of whether they were with the Dragon party or not, and the bus took everybody back to their homes by 1a.m.
The festivities didn't end there, as the three clubs met again at 9a.m. Sunday morning at Merimbulas' Top Lake for another couple of paddling sessions, followed by a BBQ breakfast-come- lunch, and birthday celebrations for Tina Bingham.
The visitors to the area took the opportunity to explore the Boardwalk, Merimbula shops and some of the nearby National Parks before fronting up again for another dinner out at the Great Southern Inn in Eden, and by Monday afternoon they had all returned to their homes in the Illawarra and Canberra.
One of the aims of Dragons Abreast Australia is to demonstrate to newly diagnosed women and the general public that there is quality of life following breast cancer. This last weekend proves it!
The Sapphire Water Dragons would like to thank all those who helped to make the weekend a success, especially David from Goodalls Quality Meats in Merimbula who kindly donated the sausages for the Sunday BBQ, Mavis Wasley who donated the Teddy Bear for the raffle, Kevin Turnbull for sign writing "Sukha Yana" and Quarantine Bay Beach Cottages and the Helmore Family Trust for providing accommodation for all the visitors at "mates rates"
Report and photos below by Robert Whiter
SUKHA YANA is the name given to a local Dragon Boat that provides enjoyment to dozens of "PINK" Ladies of this district many of whom are survivers of Breast cancer treatment. This long slender fun machine is not your typical style of boat, but looks great, particularly when snooping around the waters of Snug Cove where most of our "older girls" hang out.
seen here, her crew all "in the pink" and with Capn Charles Helmore at the helm oar they are saluting yours truly after a toot of appreciation on the car horn. Fortunately, the weather on Saturday was , once again, most favourable for this outing which, must be a delightful change for the ladies after weeks of navigation amongst MUD and OYSTERS on top lake at Merimbula. With an overall length of around 40 ft (12 metres) this vessel slips along very easily (if you are watching) and a little over 20 mins after this shot was taken she was creaming along in front of Mt Imlay, inbound for Quarantine Bay.
and soon, resting her botty on the sand at Quarantine Bay. Another great day!!!!
May 2006
SAPPHIRE WATER DRAGONS AND SWD ABREAST
The pink Sapphire Water Dragons Abreast ladies, and one lonely man, were out in full force outside "Images" hairdressers in Eden's main street on Saturday 13 May helping them with their annual "Cuts for Cancer" fund raising weekend.
The Dragons Abreast members have either survived breast cancer themselves or have been touched in some way by this horrible disease that affects 11,500 newly diagnosed women and 500 men each year in Australia, with 1,200 losing the battle each year.
The Dragons Abreast Australia movement uses the exciting sport of dragon boat racing to highlight the need for a cure of breast cancer, to give hope and inspiration to those just beginning their journey, and to emphasize that there is quality of life following a diagnosis, and taking part in the Cuts for Cancer day is a way of promoting thew cause at the same time raising funds for cancer support at a local level.
Three pink ladies voluntarily lost their hair on Saturday, Valma Barber, Marg Henry, and Pat Helmore, and between them they raised nearly $2000 in sponsorship money.
What a great effort!
Being bald meant that the Sunday early morning paddle was exceptionally chilly, but as usual the Merimbula Lake was magical, and the added touch of Marge Snijder (aka The Flower Fairy) handing out tiny posies of flowers to all the Mothers for Mothers Day more than made up for the freezing water.
The usual Wednesday paddle is still happening, using SWDA's "Sukha Yana", this boat being easier to load on and off the trailer in the dark, and the Friday afternoon paddle (2.45 to 4 pm.)has many empty seats at this point. Phone Mary, 64954109 to book in.
We did REALLY well raising $2000 (approx) for Cuts for Cancer. (click on images to enlarge)
SAPPHIRE WATER DRAGONS IN EDEN
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The crew of "Sukha Yana" pause for a photo shoot, with Ian Whiter in the rescue boat behind. This photo by Robert Whiter
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New paddlers in Eden - back Stuart Manson, center Julie Boller and Bev Illes, front Hans Dykhoff and Allan
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Bad Taste Cocktail Party Celebrity Heads: Tracy Butters, Dianne Manson and Mary Balmain |
As part of the winter paddling program every third Sunday of the month will be designated either a social function or a paddle on different waterways in the local area.
Sunday 21 May saw "Sukha Yana", the Sapphire Water Dragons Abreast own boat purchased, with the help of the local community, the Merimbula Imlay Bowling Club, the Tura Beach Country Club and Ingham Enterprises as major sponsors specifically to help promote breast cancer awareness in the south-east corner of NSW, on the beach at Quarantine Bay just south of Eden.
The Bay was glassy calm, the wind non-existent and the sun hot on the backs of the 14 paddlers as they made their way through the moored yachts and along the shore line past Keefe's Pinch, Farrell's Beach, Cocora Beach and up to the wharf area, accompanied by Ian Whiter in his tinny and Fritz and Jenny Drenkhahn in "Pilot" as rescue boats.
A pod of dolphins followed the dragon boat from Quarantine Bay, at a distance all the way down to the wharf and most of the way back, only leaving to frolic in the wake of "Cat Balou" who was on her way around Twofold Bay with a bus load of tourists on board and Marg and John Henry giving a commentary on dragon boating as they motored past.
The four new paddlers on board, Bev Illes, Julie Boller, Allan Atkins and Hans Dykhoff, did remarkably well for first timers, although Stuart Manson, as sweep, did keep reminding them to take their paddles out of the water and rest whenever necessary.
The experienced paddlers on board did remarkably well also, given that most of them had been at a "Bad Taste Cocktail Party" the night before at Quarantine bay Beach Cottages.
Mary Balmain did a fantastic job of mixing "Black Russians", "B52s" and the like until Stuart Manson and Bobby Dauchy took over the job of barmen, and the carefully worked out recipes got a little blurred.
The "best" dressed prize for the night went to Dianne Manson, who arrived very "pregnant", in a brightly flowered shirt, chiffon skirt, farm boots and flowing pink hair. And the rest of the guests were really tacky to match.
Many thanks to Mike and Marge Snijder who opened their home and their holiday cottages to enable us to hold the function, and who happily had us back for breakfast and lunch the following day!
Winter paddling times are Sunday mornings at 7.45, Wednesday nights at 5.15, and Friday afternoons at 2.45.
The paddles usually start from the Top Lake Car Park, Merimbula, and it is essential to book your seat with Mary Balmain on 64954109
For information on Dragons Abreast paddling for those diagnosed with breast cancer phone Pat Helmore on 64961626, and for information on dragon boating in general phone Ted Hawkins on 64950927
Chinese New Year celebrations have come to an end and the Year of the Dog has begun.
Nine members of Sapphire Water Dragons Abreast traveled to Sydney to be part of the Dragon Boat Regatta held at Darling Harbor over 11th and 12th February '06.
Saturday was devoted to meeting with other Dragons Abreast coordinators from all over NSW and to watching the 45-odd sporting teams compete in their various divisions, all the while soaking up the incredible atmosphere of Darling Harbor.
Congratulations to Merimbulas' other Dragon Boating team, Zen, for their 3rd. place in the Regional final.
Sunday was the turn of the Dragons Abreast Teams, made up of breast cancer survivors from all over Australia, social teams, including Dragons Abreast supporter members, corporate teams including "Network Ten"and "ANZ", and teams from other organizations such as "Guide Dogs for the Blind" the Cancer Council, and teams from various Sydney Hospitals.
The emphasis in Dragons Abreast paddling is on inclusion, participation and teamwork, all the while sending a powerful message to the world that although breast cancer is a common disease, a diagnosis does not mean an end to quality of life.
There were 12 teams competing in the Dragons Abreast Challenge Cup. That's 264 women all living with breast cancer, from all over Australia.
Gail Ward, Tess McDonell, Jenny Kimber, Tina Bingham and Pat Helmore were part of "ACT and Friends", along with paddlers from Victoria, and the 2 founding members of "Amazon Hearts" Megan Dwyer and Meredith Campbell. Amazon Hearts is a group aiming to transform the lives of young women living with breast cancer through adventure events that in themselves create a wider social impact in their local communities
"ACT and Friends" produced 2 solid performances in the heats and in the final of the DA Challenge Cup came a very exciting 3rd. behind Brisbane's' "Missabitatiti" and Sydney's' "Pink Passion"
Ted and Lesley Hawkins and Anne Atkins paddled in a DA supporters boat with men and women from Townsville, Brisbane, Port Lincoln and Port Macquarie and after 2 qualifying heats, came 5th. in the Social teams final.
Marge Snijder traveled to Sydney but did not paddle. Instead she did what Marge does best, organizing the various teams to be at the marshaling area on time.
It is traditional at the Chinese New Year Regatta to have a "Flowers on the Water" ceremony immediately following the DA Final, where every breast cancer survivor, in their bright pink uniforms, go out on the water for a minutes silence to remember those who have lost their battle with the disease and who have joined the Angels Abreast team. Paddles are raised , flower petals are laid silently on the water, and all of Darling Harbour observes the minute silence. The boats then make their way back and the Pink Ladies walk under a guard of honor made up of the corporate paddlers with paddles raised ... a very moving experience for everybody.
Our next Regatta is 26/2/06 at Ulladulla. Normal paddling times are Monday and Wednesday evenings at 5.30, and Sundays at 7.45. Because of the Ulladulla Regatta, there will be a special Saturday session at 9am.this week only and NO Sunday session as all 3 sweeps will be at Ulladulla.
Bookings for any session are essential as the 2 boats are usually full. Ring Mary Balmain 64954109.
PADDLES UP.
The Sapphire Water Dragons Abreast have been paddling for a little over a year now as a team of Sapphire Water Dragons. We paddle out of Merimbula’s Top Lake Car Park on Sunday mornings at 8am., and we also join with the SWD club on Mondays and Wednesdays at 5.30pm.
2005 has been a fairly eventful year for us all, what with setting up the Club, purchasing our own boat with the generosity of the local and wider community, and being involved with many cancer related fund raising activities in the Bega Valley.
Our traditional boat blessing ceremony was a highlight of the year, with presiding Buddhist nun, Ani Choekyi, becoming a firm friend to many of the SWDA ladies and their partners.
We have several DB regattas we plan to attend this season and our social calendar is packed with everything from a Murder Mystery Night to an April Fools Cocktail Party.
Contact numbers are Pat Helmore, coordinator 0264961626, Mary Balmain, paddling coordinator 0264954109
The energetic Dragons Abreast ladies and their supporters have been out paddling with great vigour since the boat arrival…paddling twice a week, their jaunts have included trips to Spencer Park for a BBQ and Australia Day celebrations, assisting at the recent Tsunami Fundraiser and organising a Pink Bus to take 15 local DA enthusiasts to the Chinese New Year (CNY) celebrations at Darling Harbour, Sydney on Feb 19. They picked up other fellow enthusiasts on their journey up the coast, arriving in Sydney to attend a DAA Chinese Banquet Saturday night. On Sunday 20, they joined many other DAA groups and supporters out on the harbour, participating in fundraising DAA events and having a wonderful, wet time to boot. If you would like to know more, contact Alice Wood 6495-4070.
