November Happenings

Well done everyone who paddled at Jacaranda Regatta. We paddled well, our starts were spot on and our time in the second heat (just under 65 seconds) was great. The training we have done over the past month showed through in our timing and stamina. Ree was sweeping for the first time at a regatta and did an amazing job of getting us home safely in our races. Well done everyone for responding so quickly to her calls. And REALLY well done Ree for getting back on the oar for the second race. I think that took a lot of courage. Once again we had only 16 paddlers and competed against full boats from much bigger clubs from Redland and Redcliffe near Brisbane (populations 50,000 and 150,000) down to Kempsey - the ever conquering River Rats. We will improve by continuing to work hard and train consistently.

The wonderful students from Maclean High School knocked our socks off with their great paddling, wonderful attitude and outstanding performance. Over their races they improved their time by 13 seconds and came second in the final against teams that train regularly. And that was after only two training sessions!! Imagine what they could do if they took up the sport seriously. Thanks Lesley and Wayne for giving us the opportunity to get to know them and to help them on their way. They are a credit to the school and to their families.

Our Bunnings BBQ fundraiser on Sunday October 18th was a great success and raised $757. Thanks to all who gave their time and energy to this on behalf of the club. All our fundraising efforts are needed to maintain our boat and effect any repairs required. One day we will have to put the money into a new boat, so all the cash reserves we can gather are very important. From our fundraising this year the club has purchased a GoPro camera which will be used as a coaching aid. It is hoped that video will also be on our website for everyone to see (once I get things right).

It's been great to see that we now have 4 active male members in the club. Welcome this month to Gordon and Peter. Let's see if we can double that number.

Our social luncheons kicked off last month and I heard that it was well attended and a great lunch. Thanks Maureen for organising this. November 19th is the date for our next lunch, at Harwood Hotel at 12 noon. Please email Genie if you are planning to attend. She will need numbers for the booking as soon as possible.

Our December lunch will, of course, be our Christmas party. This will be held at Marraccas Boatshed Cafe at Iluka on Sunday 13th December. The plan is to catch the 11 am ferry from Yamba and return on the 2.30 pm ferry. The cost is $30 pp for a two course meal with BYO (no corkage charged).  Cheryl would like definite numbers as soon as possible and a $10 pp deposit by 21st November. I think the ferry fare is $7.70 each way (less for Seniors and Concession holders).

At Grafton on Sunday, Janine beat me to a very cute purple T-shirt that had a natty design of a dragon on the back made up of words associated with dragon boating (I ended up buying a pink one).

Which made me think about all the reasons that we are members of our little club and what attracts us to the sport. Some of the words that sprang out at me were - fun, friends, fitness, endurance, competition, energy, drive, together as one. Some of our members came to the sport as cancer survivors and Survivor was there in large letters.

Why did you come to dragon boating? Are you getting what you expected from the sport and the club? If you have ideas on how the club can better serve its members, talk to Gail or one of the Board members. We are always keen to hear what you would like to see us improve.

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Before Jacaranda we received some emails of encouragement from members who couldn't attend. Thanks you to those who contacted us. There are some in the club who may not know three of the emailers. One came from Karen Kiely, known as KK, and another from Bronwyn and Nigel Sutton. These three were founding members of our club, did lots of hard work to get the club off the ground from small beginnings at Maclean Rowing Club, and worked tirelessly to foster the sport in the area. KK was a sweep and coach and had time as both Vice President and Treasurer, Nigel was a sweep and President of the club for two years and Treasurer another year, Bronwyn was a coach. They all achieved high standards in the sport, representing at State and national titles and were made life members of the club before they left.

                     Karen Keily                                    Bronwyn Sutton                                        Nigel Sutton

Our last paddle before the Christmas break will be on Wednesday 16th December and the first one back will be on Saturday 16th January.

The next Board Meeting will be on Thursday 28th January and the next General Meeting will be on Saturday 6th February 2016.