Sports

Clarence Coast Dragon Boat Club plan to return to paddling

Saturday March 14 was Clarence Coast Dragon Boat Clubs last paddle before COVID-19 restrictions came into place. Interesting the following day is best known as ‘beware the ides of March’… a phrase used to foreshadow something bad.

Over the coming months we were immersed in new phrases unprecedented times, pandemic, self-isolate, sanitise, physical distancing, no handshakes and border closures.

So, the thinking caps went on and plans were put into place for CCDBC to evolve and stay connected in this new and unknown times. We followed the government and planned two 9-day fitness programs to coincide with their Stage 1 and 2. When the government went to Stage 3, we stepped up to involve our members in The Push Up Challenge – 21 days 2034 push-ups. Finally Stage 4 was implemented, with more health concerns and borders closed. So CCDBC also rose to the challenge and we have just completed Stage 4 – 40 days of a Virtual Tour around Australia.

Every day when 22 people ventured out for their daily exercise, albeit cycling, walking, jogging or swimming, kilometres were logged. For those working, the daily total walked was also logged. Each day an email was sent telling the crew where we were going.

It has been a brilliant virtual tour, with a great bunch of people. So many ideas along the way as we all recalled various places we have travelled. The postcards posted were fabulous. From 4WD’s, motor bikes, swags, rodeos, boat trips, fishing, flights, golf, pub crawls, cane toad races, arts and cultural events, catching up with family, football matches, wine tours, snorkelling, sky diving, bungee jumping, sunrises and sunsets, fabulous food and wine and unbelievable accommodation it has been a hoot. 

Over 40 days we have cycled, walked, jogged 4,560.62 kilometres. The distance we travelled around Australia was 14,772.8 kilometres (8,780.8kms in flights, ferries, train, tours). So not a bad effort. 

And now we are approaching August the final month of winter, and our COVID-19 Return to Paddle Safety Plan has been approved by DBNSW and CVC. Members have been briefed on the Safety Plan and the new procedures we will follow. After 139 days, we are ready to get those paddles out and be on the water of the beautiful Clarence River on Saturday August 1. How exciting!


Lesley Sutton