The entire RAN Dragon Boat team (plus a few officials) get together for some camaraderie during a break in competition at the 24th Penang International Dragon Boat Festival at Penang Island, Malaysia. The competition was held on the Teluk Bahang Dam.

The tradition has continued for the DEFCREDIT-sponsored Royal Australian Navy Dragon Boat Team, when it recently attended the 24th Penang International Dragon Boat Festival at Penang Island, Malaysia from June 14-16.

The team consisted of 19 sailors and two officers from HMAS Cerberus, HMAS Waterhen, HMAS Kuttabul and HMAS Harman, under the command of the OIC, LEUT Chris Jones.

The first two days were spent at the venue, Teluk Bahang Dam, meeting the locals and doing familiarisation training.

However, getting used to the climate was the first order of the day, with the temperature on leaving Melbourne a chilly 10 degrees, compared to 32 degrees and extreme humidity on arrival in Penang.

During the first two days of training, the team had to contend with smaller boats, smaller paddles and the compulsory wearing of buoyancy vests.

An opening ceremony saw the participating teams involved in a street march through Georgetown. Teams included those from England, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Thailand and Indonesia, plus the host country Malaysia.

Day one at the Teluk Bahang Dam saw the mixed 12s, the men's 12s and the mixed 20s all team through to the finals in extremely competitive races. On day two the team moved forward to the grand final of the mixed 20s and the men's 12s.

Both of these races were hotly contested having 17 other international teams to compete against.

The men's 12s finished a credible second and then all eyes were on the major mixed event for the festival, the mixed 20s.

This grand final came down to the RAN, Malaysia and two Hong Kong Paddle Club teams.

The RAN team led from the beginning with an explosive start and maintained itself in first position for the first 400m. Its fiercest rival, the Hong Kong Paddlers Club team A was breathing down its neck the whole way and at the 450m mark the teams were tied, with the other two teams out of contention.

The race came down to the last 30 metres and the Hong Kong team drew ahead by the smallest of margins and crossed the line first, 9/10ths of a second ahead of the RAN team.

The RAN finished a very credible second - not bad for an amateur team that constantly changes due to posting cycles, against professional teams. The team can be justly proud of its achievements.

A special thanks must go to DEFCREDIT for sponsorship, HMAS Cerberus and the other commands and all of the supporters of the Dragon Boat Team.

By LEUT Chris Jones