I really enjoyed my paddling for the 2011season. Hats off to all those who were involved in the organization of the team. I look forward to the 2012 season and paddling with the band of sisters,
HAD A GREAT YEAR PADDLING BECAUSE:
1. MY TEAM IS A TERRIFIC FUN AND CARING GROUP
2. MY COACH IS FOCUSSED AND ALWAYS PREPARED WITH SOMETHING
NEW TO BRING TO THE PRACTICE SO WE ARE ALWAYS BEING
CHALLENGED. AS WELL SHE IS POSITIVE AND ENCOURAGING
3 I APPRECIATED THE DEDICATION OF THE TEAM TO SUMMER
PRACTICES. WE WERE NEVER MISSING.
4. THE SMALL BOAT IS VERY COOL AND CAN OPEN MANY MORE DOORS
FOR US.
5. HAVING THE BOAT MOORED IN THE WATER WAS A REAL TREAT.
6 PLANNING AROUND THE REGATTAS WAS THOROUGH AND WELL DONE
AND WELL COMMUNICATED.
I LOVE MY TEAM. WHAT MORE CAN I SAY.
Our paddling has been the best. I am sure, even with the small team, we did better in any/all of our races (even though we are not competative ha, ha). Keeping the boats at the dock has been so much better.
We have had fun with Carol's Hoe Down Dance and warm-ups. Natch... Nanaimo has always been a good "group" outing.
Is my absolute pleasure to actually belong to the paddle club. Did not think there is an outside activity I could participate in with a group of people that generates so much fun and enjoyment. First of all, I have never been a sporty person and so never considered anything like it and secondly I thought my age (76) is pulling me in the direction of "can't do that any more".
But here I am, loving every time I collect my gear and get ready to paddle. We were lucky this year with the weather holding out beautifully for the special events I was able to participate in. It started with False Creek and then Nanaimo. I thought I don't have a competitive bone in my body. Boy was I wrong. The team spirit caught on and we all did our best to give everything we had in us. And it worked. In Nanaimo our group received second price in the Women's Silver Division. We had a ball. At least once a week we get together after paddling to socialize and celebrate.
And then there was also our moon light paddle. We had a bright, full moon to guide us in the familiar, yet different looking scenery that became magic. Thought there were fire flies in the water until I was told the prosaic explanation of phosphorous in the sea weed. And whatever we saw in the water was mysterious and became of great interest to all of us! The lights from the pub in Sechelt reflecting in the water actually reminded me of my holiday in Venice I just had come back from and brought back lovely memories.
So, all in all paddling is great fun and I look forward to another season next year.
Thank you for donating your time also to make it a success.
Marianne (Sedlmeier)
Every year the team gets more energetic and more fun. We have such a good group and have been lucky to have some perfect people join us throughout the season. Our coaching has been more direct to each paddlers need, so that has been good for us all… Already looking forward to the season starting again
I am a member of Dragon's Abreast and this was my first season with the Club. I could not have better team members or a better coach. We have had a grand year. I enjoy the fellowship and the very positive encouragement and support and the good humour that we all share in and out of the boat. This positive atmosphere is the reason we are successful in meeting our goals of getting healthy exercise and competing with the best of them. We were the winners of a bronze medal in Nanaimo and it would be hard to find a team more proud of their coach and their team members. We do our best and love our time together. Yeah Dragon's Abreast, Yeah Sunshine Coast Dragon Boat Club.
Highlight was getting an actual medal!!!!!! And as always, our friendships.
One of my favorite times (and there were many) was the McKenzie Cup Day, it poured rain all day but I loved that everyone stayed cheerful and had fun, The obstacle course and guts and glory were a blast!
Fabulous year! Nanaimo was a great regatta for us in 2011. We won our heat in the Breast Cancer Survivors Races which gave us the bronze medal. We looked totally awesome in our Caribbean costumes, got chosen to go up to the buffet immediately after the farthest away team due to our team enthusiasm, enjoyed some great shopping, recorded our best times ever in the history of our team and best of all--believed that we were a team that could! Thanks for the memories SDA : )
Especially enjoy the comaraderie of dragon boating even though I have had to miss a number of things this summer. We are fortunate in having wonderful coaches and thanks to them and those of you who volunteer, the season has been a rewarding one. I am fortunate to be a Sea Gal and I treasure our boat time.
Judi
This was my first season paddling and I joined the McKenzie Mussels after seeing a notice in the Coast Reporter. I am a new full-time resident of the Coast so I was looking for something to do, a way to meet people and a bit of exercise. What I found at the Mussels was a group of fantastic and fun people who welcomed me with open arms. The coaches were magnificent and changed my goals from "not coming in last" to "I want a medal". Now I'm looking for ways to stay active and fit over the winter so I can be in better shape to start the season next year. Paddling has been an awesome experience and I can't wait until next season.
Catherine Gage
One of my favorite times (and there were many) was the McKenzie Cup Day, it poured rain all day but I loved that everyone stayed cheerful and had fun, The obstacle course and guts and glory were a blast!
Doug and Doreen Penn
There are too many highlights to pick one! What stands out for me is the camaraderie, energy and fun at every Club or Sea Gals events..
Raymonde
I love Sea Gals...a wonderful team...full of energy, fun and commitment.
Carol Stanfield
