At our recent AGM, the President and Coaches reports summed up the past 12 months for Clarence Coast Dragon Boat Club.

What a crazy year it has been for the sport of dragon boating! Not quite an annus horribilis, but close. Floods, tempestuous weather, COVID intrusions and people desperate to get away for a break, means that we missed a lot of paddling sessions.

Many members have taken the opportunity to travel as soon as restrictions lifted, which means that at times paddler numbers were insufficient to take the boat out, but whenever it was safe to paddle, we were out on the water.

Members completed their safety swims and capsize drills and the coaches designed sessions around correct paddling technique, strength, and endurance, and maintaining fitness by increasing effort at each session. Off the water, members have been involved in the Push-Up Challenge, volunteered at the Yamba Triathlon and enjoyed fundraising at the Grafton Bunnings BBQ.

Congratulations to Club Person of the Year – Graham Dunford, and Lynda Leslie who was presented with Life Membership.

The 2022-3 season has begun. The previous Board remains unchanged with the addition of Mel Scrace.

We are currently training for the Rainbows regatta at Ballina on August 21. We have 13 paddlers entered in women’s 10s and open 10s races, and we will join with Grafton DBC for a mixed 20s team. This will be a great opportunity for those who have never been to a regatta to experience the fun and challenge of competing against other clubs.

New members are always welcome. Presently we paddle from Hickey Island boat ramp Wednesday afternoons from 2.30pm and 7.30am Saturday mornings at Moby Dick boat ramp.