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Dragon boat competitor Tom McKenna of South Grafton, with his medal tally of seven gold and two silver medals which he won at this year’s Pan Pacific Games, which were held at the Gold Coast recently. Image: Lynne Mowbray.

Tom’s dragon boat success

Lynne Mowbray | After taking out four gold medals in the 2016 Pan Pacific Games, South Grafton dragon boat competitor Tom McKenna 65 has just returned with twice as many medals, from this year’s Pan Pacific Games. This was Tom’s second time competing in the bi-annual event, which was recently held on the Gold Coast. Tom’s love of competing in the sport of dragon boat racing is something relatively new to Tom however. In January 2015 after retiring from his involvement in rugby league, Tom said he decided to get involved in a different sport. “I went to a dragon boat ‘come and try’ day and liked it, so I decided to become involved,” Tom said. “I started paddling with the Grafton Club and in 2016 I decided I’d go a bit further so I tried out for the NSW Motley Crew team, which was to compete at the Pan Pacific Games. The Pan Pacific Games is a Masters Games that has Open A’s – 40 and over, Open B’s – 50 and over and Open C’s – 60 and over and there is also a Cancer Survivor’s category. “In November 2016 I competed in the Pan Pacific Games, where I was fortunate to win four gold medals,” he said. Tom’s gold medal win spurred on his competitive spirit and in 2017 he competed with the NSW Motley Crew Australia at the world titles in Auckland, winning four gold and three bronze and becoming world champions. “Later on in the year I competed in the Australian Masters event in Tasmania, where I picked up four gold,” said Tom. “So far this year I have competed in the NSW and National titles and I’ve just returned from the Pan Pacific Games where I was involved in 17 races, for 15 firsts and two seconds. “In the Open C’s we won 4 gold, in the Open B’s division we picked up two gold and two silver and in the ‘Cancer Survivor’ division, I picked up two gold. “Teams from Canada, Singapore and all over Australia competed in this year’s event and it was just a great event. “The whole McKenna family have had a competitive nature and it’s great to be able to get in and still compete at my age,” he said. When asked what his driving force was behind competing in dragon boat racing, Tom said that it was the people. “It’s just a great sport – I’d recommend it to anyone, you’re never too old for it. You can be 12 years old or you can be 80. “I’m retired and my sport is dragon boat racing and I put all of my time and fitness into that. “The people that are in it are just so happy; they’re beautiful people and they love to compete,” he said. Tom said that during his years of training and competing, his greatest encourager and supporter, was his invalid father. The two men lived together and they shared a very special and close bond. “Throughout the many competitions, my ‘dragon boat’ family had got to know all about my dad. They knew that I’d cared for him for over five years and they knew how close I was to my dad. “I lost dad in February this year, just prior to the National titles in March and so they dedicated the ‘mixed event’ to him. I picked up one gold in that event. “It was a pretty special moment; all my mates, (the rest of the team), huddled round me and we all hugged each other. “That’s what I mean about this being a great sport – they are a great lot of people,” he said.