Central Coast Dragon Boat Club

The Central Coast Dragon Boat Club’s annual regatta on the Wyong River at Tacoma with be held on Saturday 9^th January 2010 – the first regatta in what will be the Chinese Year of the Tiger. A large turnout is expected as regional teams and the state’s top clubs gear up for the business end of the paddling season.

 The regatta site is one of the State’s premier paddling venues and the local regatta, now in its 5^th year has proven popular with clubs which come for the intense competition and a weekend on the Central Coast

 The Club’s Publicity Officer, Ellen van Wessel said that racing would commence at 8.30am from the northern side of the river and include men’s, women’s and mixed events which will showcase this exciting and competitive sport for Central Coast residents and visitors alike. Spectators will find the best vantage points on the southern bank of the river at Tacoma South - the competition will even more fierce with the start of the finals about 2pm.

 Competitor parking.  Due to the expected demand for team spaces, there will be no parking allowed along the road between the start and finish lines. Roadside parking is permitted beyond those points, at the Don Small Oval to the east and it is expected that some local residents may provide private parking for a small fee.

An after-party following the regatta will be held at the Beachcomber Resort Hotel, 200 Main Road, Toukley. BBQ buffet and drink voucher $20 per person.  Tickets/enquiries Rosemaree by

4^th January - Mobile :  0408 161 290    email: rettenmund@bigpond.com

Tacoma Regatta Site

Rosemaree, Dave and Petra with trophies

In the final DBNSW points regatta for 2009 held at the Sydney International Rowing Centre, Penrith on December 13, the Central Coast club again performed up to and beyond expectations.

Coming off its best season ever with racing success, members in the NSW and Australian squads and NSW Club of the Year in 2009, the Central Coast Dragon Boat Club is off to a flying start again this season with great performances in its first two regattas.

At the Dobroyd 10s regatta, traditionally the end-of-Winter “ice-breaker” event to start the racing season, the club made five finals and placed first in four - the Grand Masters mixed, Masters mixed, Masters women and Masters open categories. All this while several of our top paddlers were away with the Australian squad!

Sea Dragons at Roseville (Photo: Julie-Maree Crotty)

Paddlers Claire and Rick both won gold last weekend when they exchanged rings at their wedding at Summerland Point on Lake Macquarie. Surrounded by family and friends who included a large contingent of dragon boaters, their marriage was another first for our club which has experienced a vintage year both on and off the water.

The wedding was held in an idyllic setting and despite the gloominess of the preceding days, the weather turned on its best for the couple who created their own unique ambience of warmth and informality.

Congratulations Claire and Rick.  Your friends wish you many years of health and happiness together.

Mel & friend

Mel Dunn has just received a “call up” to the squad preparing to represent Australia  at the World Championships in Prague at the end of August. She will be accompanied to Prague by chaperons Willy Paku, Ian George and Dave Crotty. Congratulations Mel and each of our Aus reps.

 Club Captain, Rick Bundy,  has been elected the 2009 “Club Person of the Year” from a strong field nominated by members of the Central Coast Dragon Boat Club. The award citation recognised his inspiring leadership and personal achievements in the Club’s most successful year to date.  Willy Paku was last year’s winner.

 Well done Rick!

Nine of our members, Melissa Dunn, Lynda Simmonds, Greg Bell, Rick Bundy, Dave Crotty, Ian George, Joe Iacono, Willy Paku and Troy Vingerhoedt paddled for NSW state teams which dominated the National Championships held at Kawana Waters on the Sunshine Coast, over the Anzac Day Weekend.

 NSW teams took out the overall points tally ahead of Queensland, with first placings in eight of the twelve racing categories. In club vs. club racing, NSW with 14 clubs at the championships, again monopolised the winning positions.

 Our paddlers were supported by a strong Central Coast cheer squad, one of whom, Pam Greene, is rumoured to have also performed in a  “Super Masters” demonstration race – well done Pam!

 Well done to all of our paddlers at the nationals and good luck to Willy, Dave and Ian who are lining up for the World Championships in Prague at the end of August.

Sea Dragons bring home their bling!

 

 

 

Why are we celebrating? Quite apart from having had a fantastic season with another great regatta at Tacoma, trophies at every regatta entered and nine members in the State squad for the nationals, we have been named “Club of the Year” by DragonBoats NSW.

The award was announced on Saturday March 21 at the State Finals regatta at the Sydney International Regatta Centre much to the surprise of our paddlers who were already basking in the warm glow of more trophies and a season well completed. Well done to Rick who being forewarned by Melanie, had managed to keep the award secret for some days

 Presenting the award, Association President, Steve Davidson said that the club had  “emerged out of nowhere” over the last twelve to eighteen months to achieve consistent success in racing, a strong presence at the state level and an excellent regatta held on the Wyong River at Tacoma.

Our Club thanks all who have contributed to our development over 6 years – the Newcastle Dragon Hunters, individuals from elsewhere in our “family of clubs” and most particularly, Rick Bundy and Joe Iacono who have guided and cajoled us to greater effort, commitment and success over recent months.  Your contribution is much appreciated.

Now comes the challenge to top this year’s success in the coming season.

PADDLES UP!!

Teigan with a winning smile