The Great Lakes Pearl Dragons celebrated a great year of competitive success with a festive paddle on Wallis Lake on Saturday, December 21.
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The club was twice represented overseas in 2019, first when Wendy Orman and Peter Reed paddled for Australia at the International Dragon Boat Federation World Nations Championships in Thailand in August, and then when a group of 16 Pearl Dragons took part in the Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta in Borneo in October.
Both Wendy and Peter won gold in their respective divisions in Thailand, while Wendy also picked up two bronze medals and Peter collected a silver and three bronzes.
The Pearl Dragons also attended the Manning and Mylestom regattas, where they once again achieved great results by reaching the finals at both events.
Disappointingly, the club had to cancel their annual regatta in November due to the bushfire crisis in the region, but they nonetheless managed to put a positive spin on the situation by donating all of their raffle prizes to the fundraising efforts for local firefighting organisations.
This was boosted when many of the clubs registered in the regatta also donated their entry fees to the cause.
A further $1,000 was raised and subsequently donated at the Pearl Dragons' monthly raffle night at the Lakes and Oceans Hotel.
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Looking ahead into the new year, a number of members tried out for the regional NSW squad that will compete at the Australian championships in Sydney in April.
Laurie Haydon, John McInnes, Jo Harris, Kim Creighton and Louise Watson were all selected, while Pearl Dragons' head coach, Wendy Orman, will serve as the assistant coach on the team.
Wendy is also currently trialling with the NSW State Senior B squad in Sydney.
The Pearl Dragons are now training for the State championships in mid-January as well as the Chinese New Year regatta that is held annually at Darling Harbour.
A 'Have a Go' at dragon boating day will also be held on Australia Day,with anyone keen to join in encouraged to come down to the Paradise Marina baths area at 9am.
For more information contact Wendy on 0407 543 813 or email dragons2428@hotmail.com
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