On Sunday 22 May, the CYSM Sea Dragons family held its End of Season 2021/22 Dinner and Awards night. Such occasions are about celebration, reflection and looking forward to the new season.
As we enter the final stretch of the Dragon Boat Victoria racing season, culminating in VicChamps and then onto AusChamps for 2022, a past story from Anthony (aka Ton) Alvior comes to mind. At the time, he spoke of his first regatta and what it has meant to him. I think we all feel the sentiment, newbie or veteran alike.
After her first competition with the Sea Dragons at the 2016 Lunar New Year regatta, Connie Li Wai Suen knew the time for a Women's 20s crew would come. With a PhD in mathematical statistics, she knew the odds that a dedicated crew, training, recruitment and time would offer. Fast forward to the 2022 Lunar New Year regatta - let's hear from Connie again.
What the pandemic has reminded us of is the importance of prioritising our physical and mental health. This was the motivating force for one of our newest members, Kelvin Chan, who has just debuted in his first dragon boat regatta. Let's hear a little more about his experiences so far.
Sue Phung reflects on personal and team growth over the last two years of her captaincy, particularly highlighting the positives from the challenges of COVID-19.
What better way to spend Sunday than a fitness/bonding camp at the Meyer residence with Team CYSM Sea Dragons. There was fitness, games and food of course.
As we enter into the festive season, the CYSM Sea Dragons took the opportunity to break from our regular training regime to enjoy a relaxed river run down the Yarra, take in the scenes of the CBD and enjoy a fun picnic with good food and company.
"Did your brain short circuit [are you crazy]? People vomit after dragon boating". That was the response from Anita's dad when he heard she was trying out dragon boat. Two months into the sport, Anita has just competed in her first regatta at Carrum. Let's hear what she has to say about her experience.
A great weekend (2-3 November 2019) of racing on the Hopkins River in Warrnambool. A new location for a Dragon Boat Victoria regatta and more opportunities for new experiences and team bonding.
Some words from one our newest recruits, Jasmin Cheah, about what it is to belong to a dragon boat racing community. "Regardless of what colour top we put on and how tired we are, at the end of the day we’re all here for the same reason; for the love of the sport and the people involved."
With the end of daylight saving time last Sunday, we all had an early start for round 3 of the DBV regatta series in Nagambie for some exciting 500m racing.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and provides an opportunity for us all to focus on breast cancer and its impact on those affected by the disease in our community. #paddlelife symbolises that whilst we are unique individuals, we are all one community.
On the eve of the 2019 AFL grand final, the CYSM Sea Dragons dragon boat family and friends gathered in honour of our head coach, Joe Alia, on occasion of his retirement with a wonderful night of celebration at his home. Coach Joe's philosophy was never about winning but being the best that we could be and he provided the tools to ensure that we could achieve that. Winning was the consequence. He leaves a lasting legacy.
Dragon boat is a global community and ensures that one can always find a welcome place to train not matter where one is in the world. News also travels fast when any of our paddling brothers and sisters are impacted. We join with the entire dragon boat community worldwide and express our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of the seven lives lost this week at Boracay Dragon Force dragon boat club, Phillipines.