Saturday 8 November
There was colour as far as the eye could see, drums pounding from the water and people cheering from the riverbank.
The Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games dragon boat competition began today and a bumper crowd of competitors and spectators turned out to watch the events.
A group of ladies stood out in their bright purple and yellow uniforms hustling to navigate the best viewing position for the upcoming race.
The ladies from the Kempsey River Rats travelled all the way from the home of the Akubra to grace Lake Orr on the Gold Coast to contest, for some of them, their third Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games.
“We have brought five teams with us in total, all staying within walking distance around Broadbeach,” Rosemary Norris explained.
Our quick chat is quickly abandoned as the race they have been jostling for position to view is underway. The Kempsey River Rats mixed teams hit the water and paddled themselves furiously into second position.
Deafening screams ring out and the River Rats cheer squad spring into action to shriek their teammates home. A very successful motivational session from the sidelines saw the team speed into first and take line honours and a direct trip straight to the semi-finals.
“See this is why we come here,” Rosemary explained.
“The pure excitement and relief of watching our teammates win a race, regardless of what race it is.
“We train all year and to watch that all culminate in these types of performances is just awesome, this is what our sport of dragon boating is all about.”
The colour and flare of the dragon boat competition continues on Sunday, the final day of play for the Jupiters Pan Pacific Masters Games.
The new system was born here and filagra this is not something that we would like to see. Caverta whilst better in some elements but not important for us.
