Yarrawonga Yacht Club members celebrate five years of Dragon Boat Paddlers in Yarrawonga.
If you live near Lake Mulwala there’s no doubt you would have heard the mesmerising thrum of the Dragon Boat’s drum as it sets the pace for the paddlers who sit 20 abreast and ‘Oouch’ up, down and around the foreshores of Yarrawonga and Mulwala.
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Recently, the Yarrawonga Yacht Club Inc. celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Dragon Boat Paddlers emergence onto the local waterscape.
This ancient Chinese watersport took to the waters of Lake Mulwala, launching for the first time on Saturday, September 23, 2017, from the Yarrawonga Yacht Club’s foreshore.
Then, fifteen intrepid paddlers with little to no experience joined forces to learn the skills to keep the large and ungainly Dragon Boat stable, and afloat.
Fast forward five years and today it is a popular sport for all ages with over 25 active paddlers and 40 plus members in all paddling two to three times a week.
“It’s a fabulous way to keep fit, and there’s plenty of laughter too,” said Marg Cousins who paddled on day one and is still paddling strong.
George and Margaret have paddled since the first day of the Dragon Boat Paddlers in Yarrawonga in 2017.
Steve Haintz, who was recently awarded Life Member of the Yarrawonga Yacht Club Inc, was holidaying on the NSW Coast in 2016 when on an early morning walk along the foreshore of an inland lake, witnessed a magnificent sight … a Dragon Boat full to the brim with 22 paddlers, paddling in unison toward a common goal … the finish line!
Steve saw potential for this sport on Lake Mulwala and so, the story began.
Steve approached the Yarrawonga Yacht Club Inc, of which he was already a competitive sailor, and they enthusiastically embraced the potential of Dragon Boat Paddling on Lake Mulwala.
“Naturally we had a few hurdles to overcome and now we proudly acknowledge that the injection of new members to the YYC Inc has assisted to keep the club on a positive and upward trajectory,” Steve said.
Many Paddlers now also assist with the Sailing Club and onboard the yachts.
“It’s been a win, win for our club,” YYC Inc Commodore Glen Trevena said.
“There’s lots of positive vibes about the club. We’re doing more events and our community Summer Social Friday Nights are getting bigger and better every year.”
With the increase of members, the club has also been able to revamp the YYC Inc Clubhouse exterior with new concrete paving overlooking Lake Mulwala, painting and plans to create an outdoor BBQ area.
If you’re keen to ‘Come and Try’ yachting or Dragon Boat Paddling, the YYC Inc. Clubhouse opens from 8.30am each Saturday morning.
“Come and say, ‘G’Day’. We’ll set you up with all the gear, and you’ll be on the water in no time,” Steve laughed.
“We’re always excited to welcome newcomers.”
For any enquiries about sailing or Dragon Boat Paddling with the Yarrawonga Yacht Club, contact Glen on 0434 323 645.
