Local dragonboat teams heading to World Masters Games in New Zealand

TEAMS HAVE BEEN PADDLING IN INDOOR POOLS TO PREPARE

Two local dragonboat teams are preparing to compete in the World Masters Games set for April 21-30 in Auckland, New Zealand.

The Coulee Classic Dragons will be competing in the standard 22-person boat in the 50-and-over women’s grand masters category and the Canuck Cruisers will be competing in the 12person small boat mixed 40-and-over masters category.

While describing the teams as “competitively recreational” coaches Suzanne Harris, Karen Johnson and Chris Lowings have been overseeing a busy practice schedule that began last fall. Practices have included paddling sessions from the poolside at the Max Bell Aquatic Centre, as well as time on the water in a tethered 10-seater boat at Nicholas Sheran Pool.

The over-winter on-water training is hoped to prove an advantage over other Northern Hemisphere teams.

“We’re looking forward to having been in a boat going to (the Southern Hemisphere’s) fall,” said Johnson.

The competition from the teams from Down Under could be another story.

“They’re at the end of their season, where we’re just starting,” said Lowings.

“They’re actually just finishing up their nationals down in New Zealand so they’re kind of primed,” added Harris, “We’re going to boast about how much ice time we got in order to get down to New Zealand.”

“I can’t wait to see what other countries do in a dragonboat,” said Johnson.

The Dragon Boat Association of Southern Alberta has been instrumental in supporting the teams in terms of coaching, equipment and pool practice sessions.

The coaches also credit the help of Lethbridge Sports Hall of Famer Lori Chaki-Farrington with developing a detailed training plan to improve their power, endurance, speed, strength and technique.

“As coaches we followed her program, which was absolutely amazing,” said Johnson.

The dragonboat events are scheduled for the last two days of the games which will afford the team members the chance to explore the attractions of New Zealand before getting down to competition.

And already coach Lowings is thinking about the 2021 World Masters in Japan.

“Next games we’re going as (the over-60) great grand dragons!”

More information on the games can be found at

worldmastersgames2017.co.nz or follow the team on Facebook by searching Coulee Classic Dragons/Canuck Cruisers.

Follow @IMartensHerald on Twitter

Herald photo by Ian Martens Coach Suzanne Harris, centre, practises with a team of dragonboaters during a poolside paddling session at the Max Bell Aquatic Centre at the University of Lethbridge as they prepare to compete in the World Masters Games later this month in New...

Submitted photo The Coulee Classic Dragons women’s team, along with the Canuck Cruisers mixed team, are off to compete in the World Masters Games later this month in New Zealand.