The formidable Western Region Rogues dragon boat team took to the waters of Penrith International Regatta Centre recently and came home with silver and bronze. With true determination and grit and paddles thrashing in beautiful synchronisation, the team won silver in the women’s and bronze in the open sections. Both feats are amazing, as only four men were included in the Western side, where other teams had up to 12 men in their sides.
For the paddlers it was as if something magic happened on the water in front of a crowd of thousands, as they raced the 500m course six times. The team had six Lachlan Dragons: Carmen Stephens and Claire Davis of Forbes and Warren Edwards, Helen Rowbotham, Rochelle Smith and Beth Thomas of Parkes. The team, coached by Deb Clarke of Bathurst, was congratulated many times over on their spirit, enthusiasm and absolute determination. “I think we are all legends,” said Deb proudly. “We have certainly lifted the profile of Western Region in the state dragonboat community.’
By Chris Sweeney