"The Winter Warmer" - 10s racing, August 10

The first hit out racing at the start of our new DBNSW season - The Winter Warmer! Unfortunately it was not “warm”; although we were very lucky as the rain held off until the end of the day when we were finishing off the 500m turn racing, so it was completing these races and then get home to really warm up or meet at the Peachtree afterwards which some of the squad were keen to do.

It was an early start, mustering at 6:30am in the Grandstand. We had a squad of 34 paddlers, with unfortunately Nibu (until next time Nibu) and Rose having to pull out of racing due to sickness – plus Caraline who did a fantastic job as our Team Manager for the day and making sure everyone got to where they needed to on time! Thank you, Caraline and also a mention to Soumya, who assisted Caraline with this – a Race Manager in training!

Out of those 34 we had 8 first time DBNSW Regatta attendees, Jaijin, Lisso, Kelvin, Ajith, Louis, Jereish, Rex and Sonal. It made it very exciting as we saw our newer male members take to the water and race against some of the regions seasoned Clubs and paddlers and we are very excited for the upcoming Regatta season after our results!!

A big call out to our volunteers for the day, Jannine, Kathy and Lucy and Jane S, plus those who assisted with boat loading in between races. Ange and Billie were all over it! Plus those who assisted with the boat moving from and back to their resting places! And Kaz for taking the Pendragons warm up!

So, onto our results!

Initially for the 200m racing each category would have 3 heats with times added together for placings. Due to the race draw falling behind the final heat was withdrawn so places were based on 2 heats only. 

For those of you who ask what a 500m turns is? You start facing before the finish line at SIRC, each Crew went out 15 seconds between the other. You have enough time to do a Race start and then immediately into your first turn, then approximately 200m racing then into the next turn, and then bring it home to the finish line! It was a lot of fun, and I loved it as I am sure many did.

Senior Mixed 10s – 500m Turns – 10 Crews in this Event

We have not trained for 500m at all and in 10s! We came a proud 6^that a time of 3:37:71 with 4^thRyders Green 3:36:81 and Western Waratahs 5^th3:36:98, 

Senior Opens 10s – 500m Turns – 12 Crews in this Event

Again 6^thagain out of 12 Clubs with a time of 3:32:89!

Senior Womens 10s – 500m Turns – 14 Crews in this Event

We had 2 Crews in this event and had to swap around a bit and so thank you to those who stepped up or moved around! Our first Yellow Crew was in the heat with 2 Prems crews coming 3rd, so then the watch was on over the next 2 heats - where would we finish? After all the heats our Yellow Crew finished 4^thwith a time of 3:55:38 and our Purple Crew, 11^thand a time of 4:06:03  Fantastic work in the 500m Turns everyone, it was a lot of fun and a great experience.

Senior A Mixed – 10 Crews in this Event

Both our Yellow and Purple Crews improved their timings from Heat 1 to Heat 2, with Pendragons Yellow finishing 3^rdand Pendragons Purple finishing 7^th. The Yellow team just under a second from 2^ndPlace and our Purple team the same for 6^th! Such a massive effort by all!

Senior A Opens – 6 Crews in this Event

Wow …… is all I can say about our Opens Crew! While times were tight, we finished 5^thin the first heat! Ray decided that we need to not do our 35 starts go back to 25 and think about longer and power! In the second heat this crew smashed a massive 1.5 seconds off our race time and finishing 2^nd and then overall this Crew came in 3^rd! You all listened and did what you needed to!!!!

Senior A Womens – 9 Crews in this Event

Once again, this Crew smashed 4 seconds from heat 1 (finishing 5^th) to heat 2 (fishing 4^th) you had the grit between your teeth ladies! With an overall placing of 5^th!

Senior B Womens – 9 Crews in this Event

Again, in awe of the Crew! Heat 1 came 2^ndbehind Nowra Water Dragons by 1.63 seconds. In Heat 2 we improved our time by a huge 5.64 seconds (and Nowra improved too) with Nowra 1^st1:04.720 and Pendragons 2^nd1:04.860!!!! That is a Dragons whisker! Still 2^ndoverall, but what amazing results!

A big thank you to all our drummers, who don’t do this regularly or are learning; with Karen McKelvie, the first time on the front!

Also, our Sweeps Linda and Ray for the day! Linda is becoming a turn race expert!

Kathy took some Videos, and Ray took the oportunity to give people feedback on their paddling skills.

So, a massive thank you for everyone who turned up to training, racing, coached, swept, drummed, organised, team manager, volunteer, warm up etc!

Next Regatta DBNSW Race 1 – SIRC – 500m Racing – 12 October!

(Information taken from the club race wrap-up by Coach Jane)