December 2025

Race 3 SIRC

The morning start was pretty crazy, not what we are used to! 

Those racing in the first 2 races -  the BCS Crew, plus Maddie Jane and others needed to paddle the boats around for the first events.   

First time Regatta padders were, Sheeja, Subin, Dipu, Linda T with Pendragons today and Johann, who raced with the Zodiacs (in his yellow shirt) as he is U24.

It was also great to see Alan and Jan, plus many of our family members who came to support us!

Also, we usually have dedicated Sweeps for a Regatta in the races we participate in.  Maddie and Jane are working towards Their Level 3 Sweep Accreditation (full racing Sweeps), and needed to complete a number of races, over a number of Regattas to achieve this. All races finished incident free! Thanks was given to all teams. 

Special mention to Fiona D and Jeanette who were our drummers for the day!

It was also a Christmas themed Regatta, DBNSW had a Dragon and a Santa Blow up on the finishing tower and other decorations, plus many Clubs had tinsel and other regalia!  I think our DA Crew did us proud for the best dressed!  Pendragons came with various Christmas apparel adding to the festive vibe.

Results: Morning Session
Breast Cancer Paddlers 10s - 5 Clubs competing.
3rd in both Heats, improving their time from Heat 1 -1:11.11 to Heat 2- 1:10.98.  Achieving an overall 3rd Place!!  Great work everyone!

Senior A Women 20s - 7 Clubs:
Heat 1 - 3rd 59:11, Hunter River Dragons in 2nd only pipped us by less than a second!
Heat 2 - 2nd 58:74, Ryders again less than a second in front!
Made the Final - 4th 59:89,

1st Newcastle, 2nd Different Strokes, 3rd Ryders 

Senior C Woman's 10s - 12 Clubs
Heat 1 - 3rd 1:08.55, with Bei Loon and Nowra in front!
Heat 2 - 2nd 1:12.21, 5 seconds behind 1st - SUDU Southern Waratahs.
Made the Final - This was when the wind got up a bit!  5th 1:20.21 1st Bei Loon, 2nd Nowra 3rd Sudu, 4th Pittwater 1:19.23! A really solid result with 12 Clubs in this event!!!

Senior A Opens 20s - 7 Clubs
Heat 1 - 2nd 54.61 Woooweee!
Heat 2 - 3rd 54.96
Made the Final - 4th 56.17,

1st Ryders, 2nd Bei Loon, 3rd Northern Beaches\FFB

Overall, in the morning session we achieved some great times, and we made finals! The morning session was very long and this is when the wind started to pick up!

Results - Afternoon session

Mixed racing started  around 2pm. We were in the Senior A Mixed!  This is where is got really, really windy and the humidity started to come up!

No finals, just the 2 heats added together! DBNSW obviously wanted to get all the mixed crews through, to complete ONE Regatta after the last 2!

I am sure everyone in that Crew, will just say a massive OMG, thank you and so well done sweep Annette!  The Start Line - we almost did a full 360 a one stage, back and forward, left and right, in and out until all the Crews could finally line up, everyone was going through the same!

Senior A Mixed 20s - 9 Clubs
Heat 1 - 3rd 1:00.42
Heat 2 - 3rd 56.73 a massive improvement from our previous time!
No finals, the heats were added together.

We placed 5th overall. Another very solid result and up there with the best again!

Looking back at these results, we are right up there competing with some of the strongest clubs. To take that next step and get ahead of them, we need to push ourselves individually to be fitter and stronger with consistent training, and making sure each of us is building our own fitness and strength outside of club sessions. The excitement of racing at a regatta is incredible  When each of us lifts individually, our Pendragons crews will improve together at future regattas. 

The Pendragons Mixed Crew was in the last event of the day, this ended up being around 5pm!

A massive thank you to those Pendragons who paddled around  at the end of the regatta to rehome the dragon boats .....  it was a bit of a log-jam - boats all waiting to get onto ramp!  A big thanks to the Pendragons who helped return the heads, tails, numbers etc to the container.

So, what time did many leave SIRC - 6:15pm!!!  Hot but Happy!

We are now moving into the season of Christmas, Gatherings and the New Year.  It's that special time, bringing celebrations, rest, and new energy for what's next for you!  Now we all enjoy this time with your families and a bit of a break from training!  

(Information taken from Race wrap-Up by Jane)