Nowra took a team of 27 paddlers, which saw a full boat for the Grand Masters Mixed event for the first time this season. This made our coach Pete Robinson happy, as we were going to be competitive.

The club entered into two other events on the day as well. These were the Masters Women, where Nowra ladies join in with the Port Hacking ladies; and the Masters Open, where the men join with Penrith men’s team.

The Grand Masters event was hard fought with two heats, each with two races of six boats. Nowra scored the fastest times in the heats, which set them in good stead for the final; but knowing the teams in the final it was going to be a race filled with excitement.

The race didn’t disappoint with all teams getting off to a great start, but as they are used to doing, the Nowra team pulled together to win by almost a boat length and record a time of 2 minutes 9.73 seconds, which was faster than the Masters final by four seconds, and over three seconds faster than second. A great effort saw Nowra become State Champions.

The ladies competed in the Masters Women, which was a very hard event to win, as there were a large number of competitive teams in a series of 3 races of 6  over two heats. They performed incredibly well, making the final with a second and third in their heats. Their best effort of the day was the final where they were beaten by a fraction of a second for third place.

The men came into the Masters Open with Penrith as outsiders. After getting a second and fourth in the heats, it was going to be tough to beat the Newcastle/Port Hacking team and Central Coast. To their credit the boys dug in and came home with a well- deserved second.

It was a great day for Nowra with a gold and silver medal and retaining the Perpetual State Trophy for the first four races of the season.

We must also thank our volunteers Dana Freeman and Mick Evans who helped officiated at the event on behalf of Nowra. Volunteers often get forgotten, but without them we would not have the events to compete in.

Dragon Boating involves 20 paddlers, two abreast in a long boat. There is a steerer at the back and a drummer at the front who keeps the paddlers in time, motivating and encouraging the paddlers to pull the boat forward in unison.

Dragon Boating is, by nature, a very social sport. With the large number of people working together, it develops strength, endurance as well as friendships. Come and try out on a Monday or Wednesday evening  at 5pm or Saturday morning at 8am.

Nowra Waterdragons and Outrigger Canoe Club would like to invite all sporting teams and fitness facilities looking for a method of cross-training to enter the inaugural Sporting Challenge; whatever code of sport you play.

The sport is a perfect out of season training activity that takes in the Shoalhaven River as well as hard training. It is a cooler way to get fit for the upcoming season.

You can compete against other codes of sport without the different sets of rules and the chance of injury.

Bring out the dragon in your team and compete for pride and prizes.

For Information Call Peter Phillips on 0410040507 or email info@nowrawaterdragons.com.au