President Robyn Stephens recently attended the Dragon Boating Federation’s AGM in Sydney with Neil Stephens, where a number of constitutional items needed to be ratified. Robyn is working well to keep the Dragons united in team spirit – no mean feat with so many missed sessions due to flood waters.

Dedicated members Debra Tooley and Deb Churchill have taken on the demanding role of Regatta co-ordinators and are both very busy with the direction and management of team members for upcoming regattas, helping to keep the team rallied after so little time on the water this season.

Bev Pengilly recently travelled to Orange to complete a full day Official’s Course, enabling her to officiate at regattas. Bev is one of those paddlers whose hand shoots up straight away for whatever needs doing.

Our club is sadly missing the skilled and friendly coaching of mentor Michael Ryan – hard shoes to fill indeed – but our drummer, Carmen Stephens, has been doing a fabulous job keeping us on track with her interim coaching. Both Carmen and Warren Edwards are set to attend a two day Coaching course in Orange and will be prepared to tackle the coaching as head- and sub- coaches.

Of course paddling is what we are mainly about and two of our finest dedicated paddlers are soon off to Windsor to take up the challenge of the 65 km Wiseman’s Dash. Not for the faint-hearted. Claire Davis and Helen Rowbotham are taking part in this inaugural classic, which is aiming to raise $400,000 for charity. Watch for the full story on this Hawkesbury Classic soon. Meanwhile, if you’d like to support them with their fundraising go to https://give.everydayhero.com/au/kombo-dragon-boat-team - but be quick. All money must be in by this weekend. These two girls are such an inspiration to our club.

Among all this action one of our new boats has finally hit the water now that the floods have receded.

Time has really been cut short for training with Orange Regatta looming and Wagga Wagga very soon afterwards, but the Lachlan Dragons are a determined and spirited bunch, so it’s paddles up and full steam ahead for this indomitable crew as they focus on that finishing line at Lake Canobolas.  

Although we’ve recently acquired a new shed as well as new boats, the greatest assets to the Forbes Dragon Boat Club are, without doubt, its members. It’s a great thing to have so many dedicated people in our club. If you’d like to be part of this great sport, you would be made most welcome to come and have a go. Find us on FaceBook – or just come and meet us on Lake Forbes, behind the Sport & Recreation Club at 8:15am Sundays or 5:45pm Thursdays. Wear some sporting gear with old joggers or water shoes and bring your water bottle, hat, sunscreen and mozzie-repellent. We’ll supply you with a paddle, a buddy to sit with in the boat, and some good friendly company.

(Beth Thomas)