Port Macquarie
Flamin' Dragons Abreast
General contact
tel: 1300 889 566
nswnorthcoast@dragonsabreast.com.au (Regional Representative)
and portmacquarie@dragonsabreast.com.au
Archive
newsletter March 2008 (download 57kbs)
Highlights ...
- First Taree Regatta
- Congratulations to Anne Walsh and Greg Jackson who have been accredited with their Level 1 Coaching certificates,
- Robin Thorn has returned from her great adventure to Antartica and what wonderful stories she has been able to tell us,
- Kristine Lewis has the ERG Machine at her place.
- Club’s first social event of the year – a dinner to help raise funds for our boatshed.
- Our next fundraising venture, Monster Garage Sale, is going to be at the Dahlsford Village on May 8.
- Jo Herring is collecting pictures and information regarding the Flamin Dragons.
- What a wonderful farewell to Anna on Friday 4th April. We miss you Anna and it was a privilege to know and love you.
- The June Regatta is shaping up to be quite an event this year and the club will need many hands to make light work of this now Annual Event.
newsletter February 2008 (download)
newsletter January 2008 (download)
Port Macquarie's Flamin' Dames held a major regatta on the June 2007 long weekend.
Below is the story from ABC Radio
Flaming dragons race off
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
Presenter: Cameron Marshall
Flaming Dragons Abreast is the name of a Port Macquarie group of breast cancer survivors and supporters who love paddling and celebrating life. The group hosted 18 teams from around NSW in Port's first Dragon Boat regatta over the long weekend in June. Each boat holds 22 paddlers and the key ingredient is teamwork.
Pat Waters, who established Flaming Dragons Abreast in Port Macquarie in 2005 was inspired by Michelle Hanton who established the first Australian Dragons Abreast team in the Nortern Territory in 1998.
Ms Waters says the regatta served a couple of purposes " the idea was introduce a lot of new people to the sport both as spectators and competitors and to raise awareness of breast cancer. Dragon boat racing is addictive and a great way to celebrate life. We want to emphasise that you can survive breast cancer and paddling is a great way to recover and get fit. It also shows that breast cancer does not discriminate on the basis of age or race."
As part of the regatta, a special memorial was held to acknowledge those who have died from breast cancer by scattering flowers into the water. We also have a minutes silence to remember and acknowledge those who are no longer with us and the flowers symbolise their spirit-its a very moving part of the regatta" Ms Waters said.
The regatta will become a regular fixture of the June long weekend. Ms Waters said "despite several boats from Newcastle pulling out due to the floods, we still had a great turn-out with over 400 paddlers. The team from the NSW South Coast recorded the fastest time, but the competition was fierce...and fun.!".
see the full story and pictures at http://www.abc.net.au/midnorthcoast/stories/s1948522.htm
Official Launch & Blessing of the new Dragon Boat
Saturday 23rd September 2006 9.30am
McInherny Park, Port Macquarie
On Saturday 23rd September 2006 Flamin’ Dragons Abreast Port Macquarie Inc held the official Launch & Blessing of their new dragon boat. This boat was purchased from Newcastle with funds donated by the Barefoot & Black Tie Ball Committee. The boat & crew were blessed by Brian, our Lutheran minister, Leanne, the Anglican Hospital Chaplain & The Most Venerable, Lobseng Gentpa, a Tibetan Buddhist monk. The weather was perfect, the boat beautiful & the crew very, very happy. The “Flowers on the Water Ceremony” brought together some of our newest club members & the crowd were invited to spread the petals upon the water to share with us our memories of Angels Abreast. MC for the morning was Patricia Waters. Mayor Rob Drew spoke of our wonderful progress in less than two short years of being. MLA Rob Oakeshott attended to show his support to the club. Approx 150 guests were on the bank in brilliant spring weather to wish the group well. Morning tea was followed by a Come & Try session for interested visitors with 16 new paddlers giving it a go!
Now recruiting Men, Women & Junior paddlers. All Welcome
17 September 2006 - Flamin' Dragons Abreast Port Macquarie, competed at the Newcastle Hunter Dragon Boat Club's Masters and Grandmasters Fun Regatta on the 17th September. It was a fun day - see pics.
This page last updated:
June 22, 2008
