A large crowd of 64 members of the Sapphire Water Dragons Boat Club joined together with friends-in-paddling from Narooma Blue Water Dragons, Zen, and Nature Coast Dragons to celebrate the club’s 10th birthday at the Twofold Bay Yacht Club on Saturday.
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The club had planned a morning of paddling and beach games, but heavy rains quickly put a dampener on proceedings.
However, organisers said most came ready for a paddle if there was a break in the conditions.
The club showed a slide show and videos of club activities since its inception.
Videos and images included everything from the club’s very first paddle, right up to competing at the national championships last year.
There was also a dragon boat based trivia quiz, a line-up of every paddling uniform worn, raffles, loads of lucky door prizes, and a two-course barbecue lunch.
The club held presentations to commemorate its ongoing success.
Club person of the year was presented to Mary Balmain, who has served 10 years as the paddling co-ordinator.
Carolyn Neenan received the president’s award and Bernie Woods was given the coaches award.
Jenny Kimber was awarded as one of the founding members of dragon boating in Merimbula.
Novelty awards were on hand too, with “broken paddle” awards being presented to everyone who has managed to break a carbon fibre paddle.
“Winners” included Neenan, Chris Cheung Charles Helmore, and Laurie Smith.
The club also recognised its diversity with awards for the eldest and youngest members.
“Nan” Smith was a member of Sapphire Water Dragons for a few seasons and she happily climbed into the back seat of the boat and contributed to the training session.
However, at 92 years of age, she had to give it up.
At the other end of the spectrum, Benji Cheung is too young to take his place in a dragon boat, but he accompanies his father Chris, on his OC1 for training sessions and took part in the Mallacoota Marathon in May this year.
The Sapphire Water Dragons thanked all the members past and present for helping shape the club to what it is today.