Wenderholm Super 12 Dragon Boat Beach Race

23 January 2010 - Catch cry of the day - POWER! POWER! POWER!

It was an early start for everyone, as nine of us left Hamilton soon after 6.00am.   The rental van, chocka with paddles, gazebo, luggage and paddlers was driven by Mel while the rest of us settled back to enjoy the chauffeur service to Wenderholm, with a coffee and mini stop halfway.

Wenderholm Regional Park greeted us with wind and showers which came and went with the sunshine and we were fortunate to have a loan of Brendan and Mel’s gazebo to keep our bags etc dry.

Our first race was the longest for the day – 810 metres out to the buoy then 810 metres full steam on the way back. Oh boy, what a shock to the system!!!

Thankfully the second and third races were 600m, then race plans were changed for races 4 and 5 to accommodate the teams that had been practicing ‘turns’ (WTC had one practice). Boats were loaded, with one person on the beach at the start cone who had to run, jump on, then paddle.  At the end of the race the callers had to jump off and run to touch the cone.

The lunch break was a chance to compete in the onshore games – a sack race where Dad’s boys Taneara and Richie won prizes. Brendan got second in the jandal throwing comp, he would have been first if the jandal up the tree had been disallowed. Most of the team competed in the Tug of War. The local radio station compered the event and were very generous with prizes.

A big THANK YOU for the day must go to the Auckland Dragon Boat Association and Coast to Coast Mortgages who supported the event.

Team for the day

Brendan, Mel, Julene, Pauline, Lyn, Robyn, Loryn, Lucy, Jill, Judy, Janet, Dad, subs from Lion Nathan and cheer squad, Ernie and Ian

Congratulations to Paddler of the Day – Lucy and Coach’s Pick – Robyn.

 

Super 12 Hamilton 2009

 

The first regatta of the season 2009/2010 held at Hamilton Lake on 28 November 2009.  A fun day for everyone despite the overcast weather.  Our new members and new caller looked so good in the boat.

 

In our new boat

Ready for a paddle around the Hamilton Lake with Jen, our president in front of the boat as our caller and Brian, our coach as the sweep. See more photos of our boat here.