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NewsFlippin' Freezin' Super 12 - 2010 It took all my will power to get up early on a cold weekend morning but once I got to Westhaven the sun was shining and the team were ready for action and I caught the mood. The first set of races was the long 3.5km under the Harbour bridge and back. It looked like hard work as we watched from the shore as the teams fought the current and their own tiredness. The fun started as the boats had to manouvre around the bridge supports. It was tight turn between the White Tigers and Lion but Soupu steered the team round on the inside with no collision or upset.As there weren’t enough breast cancer teams members to have two teams some of our team joined Busting to create ‘pink busts’. We watched as they got through the waves and made a respectable time of 23 mins when the other boats were finishing at about 18 mins. Not bad for paddlers who hadn’t all paddled that far before. Next came our team races. The boats were quickly loaded and we got ready on the start line. We were off pulling away as fast as we could manage, two reaches later and we had finished. It was all over so quickly and at 250m’s only half our normal race distance. two more races followed and we used them to get our technique right as we practiced our starts. By the last race we felt good and back in action as a team after a long winter break. A good day was had by all and a useful re-bonding exercise was started. Roll on the start of the season! Pink Dragon - Anete Thank you to our SponsorsAnother successful evening was organised by Team Captain Paula at Hammerheads Restaurant to thank our sponsors who have supported our team throughout 2009/2010 with their generosity. Without their support Pink Dragons would not have been able to have participated in events throughout the dragon boating season and purchased much needed equipment.
Pinkies in Canada
The IPS met each other over dinner one night, practised together on the water for an hour the next day, and raced together in 4 races over the next two days, winning 2 of those races and coming 3rd in another. A special race was the Sandy Smith Global Race, in memory of a woman who was instrumental in helping establish teams all over the world. It is an honour to participate in this race, in crews comprised of members of different teams from around the world. Our own Leonie was chosen from the IPS team, and her boat won the race. Could that be Leonie’s paddling, or the efforts of the male breast cancer survivor in her boat? After the race, 10 boats rafted together for the Flower Ceremony. During this moving event, a choir sang, and a formation of marchers bearing a long swathe of pink fabric created the international Pink Ribbon symbol. When the paddlers in the boats cast their flowers into the water, the remaining paddlers from 75 teams from around the world, who lined the lakeshore, followed suit, in a shower of pink carnations.
Pink Ribbon Breakfast Pink Dragon Team Captain Paula, very kindly hosted a pink ribbon breakfast/lunch for Pink Dragon team members and friends. The aim of the event was to raise funds for the Cancer Society by purchasing a ticket and merchandise supplied by them. Paula came up with some interesting food and drink ideas and it was good to get together with team members again. Paula picked a brilliant day and we relaxed out on her deck in the sunshine catching up whilst eating our nibbles and sipping our pink bubbles! Thank you Paula it was great idea.
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Paula, (owner of Hammerheads) as a sponsor herself, put on yet another wonderful spread of food and drink for us as we gathered for what has become an annual event in our Pink Dragon calendar. Robin, our Team Leader, offered thanks to our sponsors for their continuing support and presented them with a team photo. Paula announced that the Team Member of the Year trophy this year would go to Sue Jenness – well done Sue!
On arrival at Ashburton the team all met up for a shared meal on Friday evening, a bit of a chat and a few drinks after travelling down throughout the day on different flights. We started out to Lake Hood early morning, and oh my goodness, it was FREEZING!! We spent the whole day trying to keep warm. Such a shame, as the location was perfect but it was so cold it was difficult to really appreciate it. We shivered our way through the races and kept a determined team spirit going as we paddled to the start line for the Breast Cancer final. Another close race, with Pink Dragons coming in fourth, but will only make us more determined to do better next year! After a very touching Flower Ceremony paddlers from other dragon boat teams honoured the breast cancer teams by performing a Huka for us. Saturday evening’s medal ceremony was followed by lots of partying! Sunday morning NZBCF sponsored a wonderful breakfast at The Lake House overlooking Lake Hood and was a fantastic finish to what had been a great weekend – pity about the weather!
What an amazing venue and what a fun packed day was had by all! The racing started in the morning with boats paddling out from the shore and racing back in to the beach, with the caller jumping off the boat and sprinting to the finish part way up the beach. In the afternoon the format changed with a paddler from each team sprinting down the beach and jumping into the boat as the team started to paddle away, racing toward the marker bouy, turning and racing back to the beach with the caller jumping off the boat and again sprinting to the finish. It proved to be a lot of fun. There was a long break mid-day with each team bringing a shared lunch, followed by fun and games - sack races, jandal throwing and tug-o-war - pity the rope snapped twice!! By the end of the day everyone was exhausted but they all had a great day's racing.
Well I have done it! My first Dragon Boat Regatta since joining the Pink Dragons a month ago. 
On Saturday 5th September some of the Pink Dragons team turned out, along with a few friends, for a fun regatta held at West Haven. The weather was definitely on our side with a cloudless blue sky creating a back drop for our wonderful city scape. It was a little chilly to say the least early in the day but we soon got warmed up as we started the racing. 
On Monday, June 22, Leonie and Robin travelled to Whangarei to speak about Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boating. Last year, an approach was made to the NZBCDBC seeking guidance on the formation of a BCS team in Northland. Robin collaborated with Sue Baker and Kathy Paterson of the Breast Cancer Support Northland Trust to arrange a meeting of interested people to attend a talk given by Robin and Leonie.
At the end of 2008 Dragon boat season, Yvonne, team catain, approached me and wanted to know if I was interested to coach "The Pink Dragons". I had to seriously think about it, because here they are, a team of Breast Cancer Survivors, who have already been through a lot. The question I wanted to know was, “how far can I push them”? 
The crowd of black and pink uniforms and excited chatter was further enlivened by pink ribbons and the clink of silver medals as the Pink Dragons gathered for the last time this season. Our generous sponsor, Hammerheads Restaurant & Bar, hosted by team member Paula Sheahan, provided the nibbles and drinks.
It was an early start to Saturday in readiness for the races ahead. There was some drizzly rain to start with but thankfully the sky cleared and gave us a brilliant day for racing (unlike last year!). 
November 2008 saw the launch of our book 'Percy the Pink Dragon Boat' Sales have gone incredibly well so far and the feed back from people has been very positive.
To celebrate the end of 2008 some of the team and their partners got together for a BBQ hosted by one of our rookies. The location was fantastic as was the weather. Everybody helped out providing the food and drink making for a wonderful spread. 
 Tric , Graeme, Yvonne (our on- the-land trainer), Lynn (Paddler of the Year) and Robin (Team Leader) |
We bid farewell to our coach Graeme Rountree and team original Tric Nelson who are off to the Mainland and awarded Lynn Simons with our ‘Paddler of the Year’ award. Off the water, we took part in the Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and lots of fundraising walks/runs which improved our personal fitness and team camaraderie. Motivating, fun and supportive! To all the breast cancer survivors reading this article who may be thinking about the possibility of joining a breast cancer dragon boating team – my response would be GO FOR IT!! |
There are teams all around the country, with new ones being formed every year. It’s fun, good for you and you’ll meet some great personalities!! On the water trainings at Westhaven on a summer’s morning are magic. It’s open to all ages, body shapes and sizes and fitness levels, it’s inclusive and all about celebrating life, we deserve it!
So what’s in store for the Pink Dragons in 2008/2009? We are excited to be welcoming a new coach; our Team Captain Yvonne Dunn has fitness schedules typed up and ready to go. Currently we’re hibernating but building up for the upcoming season…. anything is possible!!
If you’d like to become a member of the Pink Dragon’s Dragon Boating Team in Auckland please contact Robyn Gamble Ph 630 6423
So what’s in store for the Pink Dragons in 2008/2009? We are excited to be welcoming a new coach; our Team Captain Yvonne Dunn has fitness schedules typed up and ready to go. Currently we’re hibernating but building up for the upcoming season…. anything is possible!!
If you’d like to become a member of the Pink Dragon’s Dragon Boating Team in Auckland please contact Robyn Gamble Ph 630 6423
Tauranga Super 12 Regatta - 2008
It was fabulous fun and we rookies loved it. Thanks to Robin for organizing it and thanks to Janet for feeding us and thanks to Tric and Elaine for leading us . The weather was awful, but we were all keen as mustard to get out there.
My room mate was so enthusiastic about the regatta that she got up at 3.45am and was trotting off to the shower thinking it was 6am.
We raced hard, enjoyed our mixing and mingling of positions in the boat (care of Graeme) and were THRILLED to get second in the Breast Cancer final.
Yes, there were some celebratory drinks consumed and Coyote’s bar was rocking for the prize giving on Saturday afternoon. Some of us (no names) hadn’t eaten much, so the alcohol content of each drink was somewhat increased…. We were given towels instead of silver medals… interesting….. One party animal team mate crashed and burned at 7.30pm and was walked back to the hostel before she’d even eaten.
My room mate was so enthusiastic about the regatta that she got up at 3.45am and was trotting off to the shower thinking it was 6am.
We raced hard, enjoyed our mixing and mingling of positions in the boat (care of Graeme) and were THRILLED to get second in the Breast Cancer final.
Yes, there were some celebratory drinks consumed and Coyote’s bar was rocking for the prize giving on Saturday afternoon. Some of us (no names) hadn’t eaten much, so the alcohol content of each drink was somewhat increased…. We were given towels instead of silver medals… interesting….. One party animal team mate crashed and burned at 7.30pm and was walked back to the hostel before she’d even eaten.
 One picture says it all |
Meanwhile back at the restaurant, the team was posing for a photo and one team mate decided she wanted her good side to be photographed. She climbed over the pedestal table and it flipped, yes, broken glass, red wine up the walls, salt and pepper everywhere… yee haa!!! Another team mate got a phone call on her mobile and was walking outside to take the call when she decided to be John Travolta and do the disco splits on the floor of the restaurant. The rest of the night was uneventful with a lovely meal consumed and cups of tea drank back at the hostel. |
We were rudely awoken at 6.50am the next morning by the wailing fire alarm and all got to check out each others night attire (and the other backpackers) as we stood outside for 15 minutes while the firemen ‘cleared’ the building…..
Did the above involve any of the rookies…..? maybe…… was there mention of a ‘rookie contract and approval process’ being written up…. perhaps……. Did I steal Sue team shirt…. ABSOLUTELY NOT!!
Did the above involve any of the rookies…..? maybe…… was there mention of a ‘rookie contract and approval process’ being written up…. perhaps……. Did I steal Sue team shirt…. ABSOLUTELY NOT!!
2006/2007 season
By Robin Gamble – our Team Leader
 Up and racing against Breast Cancer Teams - Tiger Beer Regatta Auckland |
We are the second breast cancer dragon boating team in Auckland, and the sixth team in New Zealand. We began as a mixed team in 2005 with the help of a number of non-breast cancer survivor paddlers, but became 100% breast cancer survivors for the 2006-07 season. We participated in a fun festival at Takapuna Beach, and competed in the Tauranga Super 12’s, but it was at the Auckland Festival and the Nationals in Christchurch where we rewarded our coach and ourselves by achieving our best times yet. |
We also found travelling together as a team a great bonding experience. We had so much fun, and ended the paddling season on a high note.
We suffered some withdrawal pangs once our regular contact with each other was put on hold, but we heeded coach Graeme's advice that, for the success of the team, we really needed to take a break over winter.
Our mission is to show our fellow breast cancer survivors that life is for living! After being swept along in the process of diagnosis, surgery, treatment, medication and supervision, we could feel rather helpless. Participation in this physically demanding sport has been empowering. We have benefitted from learning new skills, improving our fitness, feeling positive, and being part of a wonderful support group working together to achieve a goal.
We suffered some withdrawal pangs once our regular contact with each other was put on hold, but we heeded coach Graeme's advice that, for the success of the team, we really needed to take a break over winter.
Our mission is to show our fellow breast cancer survivors that life is for living! After being swept along in the process of diagnosis, surgery, treatment, medication and supervision, we could feel rather helpless. Participation in this physically demanding sport has been empowering. We have benefitted from learning new skills, improving our fitness, feeling positive, and being part of a wonderful support group working together to achieve a goal.
Coaches Corner
This season I have seen a group of paddlers grow into a team of paddlers. A team that now knows how to paddle as one unit to the best of their ability.
The Tauranga Super 12 regatta was a good warm up and it is fair to say that it showed off a number of our weaknesses. It was however a good team bonding exercise and invaluable to get to where we are now.
At the Auckland regatta our paddling was much improved at times although we were still looking for consistency. Then there was the final and something clicked in the team and we paddled a near perfect race. We also picked up our first ever placing in a regatta with a well-deserved 3rd betting Treasure Chests by a massive 0.62 seconds.
The following weekend it was down to the nationals in Christchurch.
My main concern in the lead up to this regatta was again consistency.
Race 1,
I asked for a good steady paddle and got it along with a reasonable time.
Race 2, 3, 4 & 5,
Same as above however by race 3 I was now aware that the group of paddlers that made up the team were now a team of paddlers and that nothing was going to stand in their way of pushing hard and achieving the best they could.
There was however nothing else we could have given or done on the day but the team deserve to hold their heads high, stand tall and be very proud of what we have accomplished this year.
Yes a 4th at the nationals can be a hard pill to swallow however there was nothing else we could have done to improve on this on the day. Graeme Roundtree
The Tauranga Super 12 regatta was a good warm up and it is fair to say that it showed off a number of our weaknesses. It was however a good team bonding exercise and invaluable to get to where we are now.
At the Auckland regatta our paddling was much improved at times although we were still looking for consistency. Then there was the final and something clicked in the team and we paddled a near perfect race. We also picked up our first ever placing in a regatta with a well-deserved 3rd betting Treasure Chests by a massive 0.62 seconds.
The following weekend it was down to the nationals in Christchurch.
My main concern in the lead up to this regatta was again consistency.
Race 1,
I asked for a good steady paddle and got it along with a reasonable time.
Race 2, 3, 4 & 5,
Same as above however by race 3 I was now aware that the group of paddlers that made up the team were now a team of paddlers and that nothing was going to stand in their way of pushing hard and achieving the best they could.
There was however nothing else we could have given or done on the day but the team deserve to hold their heads high, stand tall and be very proud of what we have accomplished this year.
Yes a 4th at the nationals can be a hard pill to swallow however there was nothing else we could have done to improve on this on the day. Graeme Roundtree
By an anonymous Rookie
The paddling idea was introduced soon after the completion of my treatment and it required some consideration. Surely the healthiest thing to do at this point in my life was to move on and not link up with a ‘breast cancer’ group. However the lure of getting into some regular activity again, saw me turn up at Okahu Bay one Sunday afternoon. I was introduced to Jane, Beth and Maggie – or was that Mary, Sue and Lola and they all had their ‘pink caps’ - hmmmm! This (youngish) guy who introduced himself as the coach was so enthusiastic and I couldn’t for the life of me fathom why he would want to work with a matured group of woman. But he did seem to make some sense when talking about ‘core strength’ (couldn’t wait to see his 6-pack once he shed his winter layers of clothes!!). So there it started and I diligently did my exercises for 2 days!
 First time paddling for a couple of Rookies |
First paddle! Nervously turned up on time, more new faces and we were lined up and randomly placed in the boat. Slight sense of excitement whilst observing the Piha boat crew along side us. Right from the word go we had the ‘timing and technique’ message explained, said again, reiterated and repeated – for mature people, it struck me that we were very slow learners. The good thing is that I did really enjoy the first experience and knew I would be back for more – even after shivering away after practice while the coach regurgitated ‘that’ message. And no, I didn’t remember the name of the woman I was sitting next to. (That was me Sue) |
First Regatta! Takapuna loomed before I even felt we were out of nappies. Three words to describe that day. Wet, intimidating, frustrating. But we PD’s stuck together and there was a sense of some team bonding happening AND I got a pink cap. So nice to get back to training on the Tuesday night afterwards with all the familiar faces.
First Real Regatta! Auckland. Now this was really nervous energy stuff. The first race was awesome and so good to get out of the way. According to Graham we were OK. I don’t think OK stacks up in any of our books and we really wanted to prove to ourselves (and the other breast cancer teams) that we are a force to be reckoned with. The first breast cancer race came and went and the entrenched timing and technique was evidently not on our boat for that one - photos prove we were not within kuwee of the other three teams. Gutted! (I was quietly confident that we would ‘kick ass’!)
To add insult to injury, I experienced my first flower ceremony. WOW! I don’t think ‘How Great Thou Art’ was the best choice of words to paddle down the viaduct with but, AJ, how great thou art for standing up and speaking so well on our behalf. It was so amazing to be a part of this and having my family there to share the occasion was incredibly special. The final was very uplifting (always welcome when you’re talking breasts, especially ours) and was proof that we were past the crawling and able to stand on our own feet and ‘mix it’ with the other bc teams. A triumph for Pink Dragons.
| First Nationals! Christchurch. Visualise this. Sitting in a boat on a lake which is as still as a mill-pond, absolute blue skies above and dragon flies flitting around beside you. Despite the criteria to be eligible to sit in that boat with 19 other amazing women and a coach who can be a bit gruff on the out-side but has a pretty big heart (and a 6-pack somewhere), you can’t help but think ‘Life is Good’. Sunday was a great day, really good for us as a team and I look forward to more days of that nature – but with some more metal and / wood to show for our efforts now that we are ready to run with it. I believe I now know everyone’s name and I wear my pink cap with pride. everyone, you’re t’rific. |
 Racing in Christchurch at the Nationals |
Team gathering in Christchurch prior to the Nationals
ONE THING LEADS TO ANOTHER”
Robin’s Dragon Boating in Canada
In July of this year I visited Victoria, BC Canada, to spend time with my daughter, her fiance, and my extended family. When making my plans I noticed the Victoria Dragon Boat Festival coincided with my dates, so happily marked the event in my diary, intending to enjoy a great couple of days of entertainment.
As an afterthought, I contacted the local breast cancer survivor team, The Island Breaststrokers, to ask if I might meet some of them, and watch their training from the shore, promising to cheer them on on the day. My contact turned out to be the most charming, friendly and hospitable woman who became my “buddy”, Clare. “Don’t just stand and watch”, said Clare. “We often have a spare seat on the boat. Come paddle with us”.
Well, you know, one thing leads to another…
Robin second paddler from right enjoying the Gorge Festival on board with the Island Breaststrokers
I attended two training sessions with the Island Breaststrokers, and managed to keep up with their powerful paddlers, which was a great relief, as I had been in hibernation from dragon boating in New Zealand for several months, since our own season finished at the end of March. After the second training session, I was asked “So what are you doing on Saturday?” Unknown to me, an annual One Day festival is held at The Gorge (a waterway which forms part of Victoria Harbour), one week before the 2 day festival I planned to attend, and my “New Best Friends” were a paddler short. The diary was consulted, a few plans were changed, and I presented myself for duty at the appointed hour. “No pressure”, but I learned The Island Breaststrokers were the world champions in the Breast Cancer Division at Singapore in 2006! We easily beat the other 5 breast cancer teams to win MY FIRST GOLD MEDAL. With that race under our belts, we then competed in the Women’s Open Division and picked up a bronze medal. I was delivered home, damp, but on a high, having assisted the IBS team to their fastest time, ever, in a Breast Cancer Survivors Grand Final. The home-coming Olympic athletes at Auckland airport weren’t the only people with a bunch of medals clanking around their necks!
The following weekend, the IBS expected to muster a full crew, but had suggested I ask the festival organisers to find me another team to paddle with. Thus, chameleon-like, I dressed in the colours of The Pink Piston Paddlers from Salmon Arm, BC, and acquired another set of New Best Friends. Again, I was impressed by their friendliness and their genuine interest in a visitor from New Zealand. I picture a bridge between NZ and Canada, across which Kiwis and Canucks cross easily into each other’s countries, finding kindred spirits in both places. It seems every Canadian I meet has either been to NZ, has had a life-long dream to visit, or knows someone living in NZ. I was the happy recipient of souvenir t shirts, team pins, photos of my new teams, and a beautiful medal given to every breast cancer paddler, sponsored by the BC Cancer Foundation of Vancouver Island.
The summer weather was brilliantly fine, the atmosphere of the Festival venue was electric, with the crowds of competitors and spectators milling amongst the tents of vendors and the stages of the entertainers. We did our Warm Ups to music, and were all marshalled for our races in a most methodical way.
The Pink Piston Paddlers made up for their lack of experience (being a team of only 3 seasons) by being colourful, not only in their peacock blue and orange dragon emblazoned shirts, but by their humour and penchant for bursting into song or chant at the drop of a hat. Quite the entertainers. We didn’t win any medals, but we enjoyed our races, giving our best efforts to finish a creditable fourth in the Breast Cancer Grand Final.
The night before the Victoria Festival, all the breast cancer teams were hosted to a lovely meal organised by the Island Breaststrokers. There were raffles, skits and dancing, along with a “trade table”. Raising funds is a universal goal for all teams, and I made a few mental notes of ideas I could bring home to the Pink Dragons.
Oh, and I also had a marvellous visit with my family!
http://www.islandbreaststrokers.com/
http://www.pinkpistonpaddlers.ca/
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