Dragons running hot
ONE team member has only been paddling for six weeks but that hasn’t stopped the Currumbin Dragons from proving they are a dragon boat powerhouse at the national titles.
The Currumbin Dragons will prepare for another world championship, to be held in Hungary in July, on the back of a stunning performance at the Australian Dragon Boat Championships at Kawana Waters this month.
Currumbin won eight gold medals and secured a silver and bronze in two other events.
The club’s Senior A (ages 40-49) women’s team won the 200m and 2km races and finished second in the 200m.
The group mirrored their success in the premier grade (under 40) where they won the 500m and 2km races and secured bronze in the 200m.
The Senior B (ages 50-59) women’s group took silver in the 500m while the Senior C (ages 60-69) women’s team won both the 200m and 2km.
Perhaps the biggest shock for coach Faye Rallings was the performance of the Senior A mixed team – made up of five men and five women – who won the 200m race despite the presence of paddlers who are still new to the sport.
“We were just outstanding, especially for a small club,” Rallings said. “We are thrilled with the performance.
“We have done very well over the years. We put ourselves on the map many years ago and we are still up there.
“We have got some excited men who you wouldn’t have given them a cup of tea six weeks ago but here they are as national champions.
“I’m blown away. One of the guys was only in the boat for six weeks.
“Usually it takes six months to get up to that level.
The winning teams from Currumbin have all qualified for the 2020 world titles in France while the club will feature in the Senior A, B and C women’s events at this year’s championships.