The International World Nations Dragon Boat Championships were held in Hungary in July, 2013. These Championships are  held bi-annually, with the Queensland Juniors having the most successful campaign ever, winning a total of 11 medals from 13 events- 6 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze. Hungary is the first time the Australian Juniors have medalled ever, a huge achievement to be very proud of.

Hungary-2013-  was the largest World Nations Championships to date, with over 2,500 competitors from 30 countries competing over 5 days of racing, over distances 2000m, 1000m, 500m, 200m.

The Australian Auroras Squad (largest number ever competed)- consisted of 250 paddlers,  ranging in age from 13 to 65 years of age, with the Australian Teams achieving 35 Medals across all distances and all age groups- 15 Gold, 16 Silver, 4 Bronze. Previously at the World Championships, in 2007 the Australian Auroras won 2 Gold medals in total, and in 2011 won 15 medals.

Of the 45 Australian Junior Paddlers (aged 13 to 18 years) in the Australian Junior Dragon Boat Team- "The Auroras"- 18 came from Queensland, with two Queensland Juniors being selected to be Team Captains-

12 Juniors from the Gold Coast

3 Juniors from Brisbane

1 Junior from the Sunshine Coast

1 Junior from Cairns

1 Junior from Bundaberg

These juniors attended testing camps in Canberra and the Gold Coast in January and May 2013 to qualify for the Australian Junior Squad and once selected, all Juniors committed to an exhausting and rigorous training schedule- with on water training sessions in Brisbane three times a week, plus many more gym, weights and fitness sessions to achieve maximum results. With some of the juniors also completing Years 11 and 12, time management skills, dedication and total focus was needed to fit it all into their weeks.

The racing was televised via livestream via the internet, allowing all family and friends to watch the racing in real time, a huge added bonus for all to be able to experience the excitement in real time.

At the end of the competition, many of the other countries Junior paddlers, who were in awe of the Australian Junior's achievements, wanted to swap their race shirts to gain an Aussie race shirt.

The Qld Juniors exemplified quality teamwork, commitment, and respect for themselves, and for each other.

CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING WORLD CHAMPIONS.

Well here we are on the eve of the first day of the World Championships in Szeged... can you believe it!!!! 

Today teams got their first look at the course and an hour training run to get the feel of the water and the conditions. It seems that the 3 day training camp in Gyor has really paid off - the teams have gelled well and are looking the goods on the water.... and most importantly the coaches are happy  

The opening ceremony this evening was amazing - starting with a parade of all participating Countries and teams through the streets of Hungary and finishing with a spectacular aerobatic display by one of the Red Bull stunt planes. It literally flew straight up the river just above our heads and right under the (very low) bridge.... Unbelievable!!! 

Well, it's time to get ready for our 'one more sleep' but before signing off I would like to share with you some very poignant and heart felt words from one of our squad captains that really struck a chord with each and every one of us..... 'each time we get into the boat to race over the next 5 days every single person (family, friends, club members, supporters) who have shared the journey along the way will be on that seat next to us'.... and you will be xxxx Kalinda

Day 3 and final day of training camp done and dusted. Today was mostly about fine tuning -with the sweeps practising 2k race turns in the morning followed by 200m, 500m and 1k racing with different age divisions competing against each other in the afternoon. The U18 junior boys were most impressive up against the men's Senior B team. It's great to see so many juniors over here. As you can see 'The Broadgarians' are still smiling and just for you Rozanne Johnston we are holding an AFL football to celebrate the Suns win against Collingwood today  — with Chris Rathbone and Denise Roberts.

Greetings from the 'Broadgarians' (translation for Broadwater paddlers in Hungary). It's the finish of day 2 of training camp in Gyor and we are all back in our respective hotel rooms before the 9pm curfew. It's been an eventful few days - broken paddles, sweep oars.... drummers and sweeps overboard, all in very challenging conditions on the water. 

Today the crews practised rate work with a little help from the towing speed boat as you can see from the pic. Hard work, but awesome fun at the same time. 

Tomorrow is the last day of camp before we head to Szeged to prepare for the 'big one' - the world championships. Goodnight from Gyor and we will keep you updated with regular posts — with Denise Roberts and Chris Rathbone at Győr Város.

For those who know me, the length of time I have been in Australia is the length of time that I have been paddling. I started paddling on the 23 September 2010. The day I arrived!! My dad was coach then and I did not have an option to stay home because I was too young. But my real motivation for doing the sport came when my dad was nominated to represent Australia for the Worlds in Tampa 2011. One of his camps was held in Tallebudgera and I got the chance to see the whole Australian team train. 

I remember standing on the beach and watching the paddlers train hard and proud. They looked fantastic and that was my encouragement. Seeing them wearing the Australian shirts representing Australia and knowing that they are going half way across the world to paddle. I thought to myself, “Hey I want to do this too”. They inspired me to paddle with heart and soul.

I was very happy when I made the Australian Junior team when I tried out and ever since then, it has been a rollercoaster for both my parents and myself. Training, both physically and mentally is hard but it is worth it! During our last training camp in Tallebudgera in May, I realized I was paddling on the same water, and looking across to shore where I had stood and imagined myself representing Australia two years ago. However, this time was different, I am in the boat and hopefully I am an inspiration to the audience. I am getting ready to take off to Hungary and represent Australia. I did not think I could make it with all the ups and downs but with strong support from my family and Broadwater team I have been able to get through it all.

Training has been really hard for me to fulfill as a school student who is also very enthusiastic about schoolwork (haha). However, I have tried to do my best to train and study at the same time. I have already sprained my ankle and hurt my knees and broken a couple of fingers, but hey that is reality. Being an Australian representative is a once in a lifetime chance and a huge honor. I have also enjoyed the company in the team. I get to meet new people and make new friends. That is one of the good things about Dragon boating. It is not an individual sport where you only focus on yourself. You have the  opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and interact with other people. The feedback that I have received from the coaches so far has also been positive and greatly appreciated. I do miss my food though and cannot wait for this event to finish so I can stuff my face with Hungry Jack’s on the way home from training….

Sometimes during training my body is telling me to Stop! Stop! But my brain is saying, “One heart! One soul! One team! One goal! We are, We are Australia!!”.

I am looking forward to seeing more of my Broadwater team members stepping up to the challenge and representing Australia in the future. 

In September 2010 I started Dragonboat Racing in Tasmania. 2 months later I had my first  race at Panpacs as a guest of the Broadwater Paddling Club (how ironic). Day one  I raced 13 x 500 m races and Day 2,  I competed in 11  x 200m races and as a result tore my intercostal  muscle off my rib cage and was out for 6 weeks.

I was hooked on the sport though.  I loved the adrenaline rush of competition and even better I had made a heap of new friends.

I had no real understanding of the sport and  a pretty ordinary technique but I was keen to learn. The only thing I had going for me was fitness. So after 3 months in my new sport I passed the fitness test for the Aust team selections and invited to trial for the Auroras.

After 4 days  of intense paddling, fitness tests and video scrutiny I came home covered in blisters and the biggest gunnell bruise I'd ever seen. My body went into meltdown and it took 4 days lying on the couch to recover.

I had stepped way outside my comfort zone. I didn't make the team - not even close - but I had soaked up the experience and learnt from the best coaches and paddlers in the country and i had a whole new group of likeminded friends.

Fast forward 2 years and I'm about to get on a plane to compete at the highest level of our sport-  I'm about to represent Australia.

I said I love to compete - but it's not all about winning - it's about doing the best you possibly can.  It's about the team, giving all you've got for your team and being the best you can be.

If I do that in Hungary and don't win a medal, I'll come home with a huge smile and sense of satisfaction - and i will have shared the journey with my team mates and supporters and made more new friends.

Those of you who paddled at Nationals for the first time this year, and those that represented Queensland would  know the exhilaration of what it's like to go to that "next level".

This journey hasn't been easy. The commitment to training 6 nights a week has taken its toll with injury and training fatigue and I've had some real  psychological battles that I've had to push through.

I look around at our Broadwater paddlers and see so much potential  in every age division. I encourage you all - give it a go - go to the "next level", step outside your comfort zone.  Be the best you can be.  The worst that can happen is a few blisters. The best - who knows? You could represent your State next year or your country in 2 years time. Either way, you  will learn much more about our sport, yourself, become a better paddler and make new friends - that's really what it's all about.

For me personally , I get to share another fantastic  adventure with my best friend Kalinda.

Finally -  Without the support of your club and club members none of this would happen. You can't paddle a dragon boat on your own. Thanks Broadie family.

Cheers Crispy

This years Australian National competition saw Broadwater Dragons storm home to win and place medals in the following categories

• Gold -  Grand Masters Mixed 10s 200m
• Gold -  Grand Masters Mixed 10s 500m
• Silver -  Masters Mixed 10s 200m
• Silver -  Premier Ladies 10s 500m
• Silver -  Premier Open 10s 500m
• Bronze -  Masters Mixed 10s 500m
• Bronze -  Premier Ladies 10s 500m Trans Tasman Cup
• Bronze -  Premier Open 10s 500m Trans Tasman Cup

• 2 Golds, 3 Slivers and 3 Bronzes!!!

Our medal tally reflects the hard work and dedication of all our club members and our 'Broadwater Spirit' - We have secured a ticket to Italy to the 2014 World Titles for our Grand Masters and have one more year to qualify our Premier, Masters and Great Grand Masters crews. We welcome one and all, old members and new ones to join us one the road to Italy in 2014.

Australian Dragon Boat Championships 2013 are being held a Sydney International
Regatta Centre Penrith for five days from Tuesday April 16th.

I’m Joelle Poulos from Debt Quality and this will be my first National attendance - I’m
looking forward to the excitement, the challenge and I’m hoping I’ve put in enough
preparation.

Just joining Broadwater Dragons Paddling Club 8 months ago it had the right elements that enticed me to explore my potential in an environment that I never thought possible. The Dragon Boat community are a diverse social, competitive and inspiring group and the sport is open to all ages - I encourage everyone to ‘come & try’

I cannot guarantee returning with Gold but I promise I will give my all while having FUN!

Good morning  paddlers,  Due to the roads in to Emerald Lakes being temporary closed we WILL be holding our special CREW SELECTION training at our usual training location at boat ramp, ROYAL PINES.  


See you on the water!