Pearl Butcher writes:

 Pinnacle Dragons Abreast hosted a morning of fun and laughter, ‘messing about in boats’ at Lake Canobolas last Sunday.

Perfect dragon boating weather, friends arrived together, others arrived to find friends they’ve not seen for years already there and who knows for some - it may be the beginning of new friendships.

The boat quickly filled with people eager to try dragon boating, who soon discovered there is something special about being out on the water, with like-minded people, working as a team, there for each other. 

In 11 years of dragon boat coaching I do not recall ever having a crew of first time paddlers get the timing and technique right so quickly, which resulted in the boat soon running smoothly across the water of Lake Canobolas.

Members of Pinnacle Dragons Abreast were on hand to help the new paddlers but the help was two way - thanks in part to new paddler, Lanny, who needed no persuasion to take to the drummer’s somewhat precarious seat, (a role usually not attempted for some months if ever!). The Drummer’s role can be pivotal to a racing team and what members found was Lanny’s style of drumming while a little ‘different’ suits Pinnacle Dragons perfectly.

It was a long day of ‘messing about in boats’ for members of Pinnacle Dragons - arriving at 7.30am they trained for an hour preparing for the State Championships taking place at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in 3 weeks, before greeting  the new paddlers, including local MP Phil Donato who likes to join Pinnacle Dragons occasionally - great way to de-stress.

Pinnacle Dragons Abreast are fortunate to have a team of experienced and accredited sweeps (helmsmen) and AusDBF coaches,  Pearl is one of about 50,  Level 2 Coaches in Australia.  One of the men has almost completed Level 1 coach accreditation plus there are 2 trainee sweeps.

Anyone wanting to try dragon boating doesn’t have to wait for a Come and Try Day - just phone the Coach on:  0400 640 342  to find out about training times and days.