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Dragon flight takes off
By Barry Rollings
Volume 49, No. 13, July 26, 2007 |
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| READY TO RACE: One of the ADF dragon boat crews makes its away to the start for their heat at the festival on Teluk Bahang Dam. |
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| Inset: Some members of the two teams relax before their heats at the festival. |
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Air Force plans to become the new force in Defence dragon boat racing after eight of its personnel were among two ADF teams to contest the 28th annual Penang International Dragon Boat Festival in Malaysia last month.
The two teams were relatively inexperienced this year thanks to postings, but found it a good learning curve and a solid foundation on which to build for future festivals – often referred to as the unofficial world titles.
The Navy team, which finished fourth in the mixed and open heats, consisted of personnel from HMAS Cerberus, reinforced by three Air Force personnel and two from Army. The Air Force team members included boat captain AC Robert Vanzino from RAAF Base Richmond, paddler LAC Daniel Stanbrook from RAAF Base Wagga, and sweep (steerer) FLTLT Pete Boreham, also from Wagga.
Only three paddlers had previous competition experience. Most had been paddling for less than six months.
Army from Rifle Coy Butterworth also included Air Force personnel in its team. They were FLTLT Michelle Gould, SGT Melinda Cotton, CPL Charlie Morgan, and Kylie Dobbie and Kylie Hayward (wives of Air Force members).
Though this team was not placed at the international festival, it contested a Penang competition in the week leading up to the big event and finished a creditable fourth and fifth in the two events it contested.
“RAAF Base Wagga is building a team – appropriately called Dragon Flight – for participation in interstate and international tournaments,” FLTLT Boreham said. “But before we can even start to look at funding we need to hear from people who are interested in becoming involved.
“Air Force personnel have been participating for many years in various non-Air Force teams but if you have the drive and team spirit to be an Air Force dragon boater, we want to hear from you.”
For more information, contact FLTLT Pete Boreham on (02) 6397 5708 or at pete.boreham@defence.gov.au
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