Sydney Dragon Sports Association Dragon Boat Club

Penrith, NSW.  March 28th:

Results

Premier Mixed: BRONZE (Minor Final)
Women's Crew:  5th (Major Final)

It was an early start for the drive out to Penrith and a 7am roll call.  But there was someone missing.  Rob...

Some of the DSA paddlers were still sleepy, yet others were already pumped for the day’s racing ahead.

After a thorough, but not too grueling warm up, headed by Darren,

it was a pep talk from the coach then, back to base to wait for the first race.

Up first was the Premier Mixed Team. 

The crew was pumped and ready to fly out of the start.  Which they did.  The start was awesome with a cracking race to follow.    The first race blues had blown away for good and DSA secured a second place.  It set the tone for the rest of the day and DSA's other crews.

Next up was the Open crew,

who did an amazing job racing with eight chicks against teams with a majority of male paddlers.

Then time for the chicks crew (including Kara who had jetted over from North America to be in the team)...

...and they were ready to race the race of their lives.  An awesome start by the girls, followed by a tremendous race.  The focus was second to none, the strokes led with a great pace and the rest of the boat followed by locking in the timing.  It was the best race of the day and it showed with a second place.

The racing continued with another two great races by all the crews.  The mixed team securing a first place and the chicks another second.  Showing great consistency and focus by both crews.

The mixed team scored a third in the minor final, with only 0.4 of second separating 1st and 3rd, while the Chicks secured a position in the A final and had a solid race.

It was a great day overall.  The racing was of the highest standard, where crew members showed commitment, focus and guts.  And in true DSA style, the day’s achievements were celebrated with beer and pizza at the the local pub.

Full photo set here.

And what happened to Rob - careful not to waste any time, he turned up, as usual, at latest possible moment...