Mid Winter Flippin' Freezin' Regatta Westhaven - 31 July 2010
Leslie Ash writes again!
We dusted off the plonkers, plonked on the thermals and headed down to Westhaven Marina for an "All-comers" Super 12 regatta hosted by the Auckland Dragon Boat Association. It was a spectacular winter's day with near perfect conditions throughout the morning's paddling.
The race card was very different this time. The first race of the day was a 3.7km course out past the breakwater, up to the Harbour Bridge, turn and then home. For most this would be their longest dragon boat race.
This challenge was met by nine BWL paddlers and three Pink Dragon paddlers with Jo Jo as sweep and Susan as caller. The composite team was named "Pink Busts" (!!??) for the race and after a warm up and a quick practice to see if we could still remember how to hold a paddle, we were off!
What a sensational ride down towards the bridge with the wind and the tide helping us along. We did a huge banshee shout out as we went under the bridge and then the turn for home, parallel to the breakwater where a great group of supporters from both our teams were there to cheer us along.
Into the wind and with a few more waves to contend with the team powered along - impressive!
Our times weren't too shabby either with a finish of 23.19 minutes. For many of us it was a real confidence kick to push ourselves a little harder than usual and come out smiling.
A series of sprint races of 200 meters across the basin followed and then it was off to Swashbucklers for seafood platters and a pat on the back for a paddle well done.
The same format will be used for the "Silly Spring" regatta in September so shake your "sillies" out and come along.
StarLake Express Waka Ama Regatta - Lake Pupuke 11 July 2010
Rosemary Jenkins writes on this event ...
The conditions were ideal. It was a beautiful clear, sunny winter's morning. The lake was calm which was in stark contrast to the previous two Sunday's where we had practiced in windy, rainy, cold conditions. BWL entered two teams, an all women's team and a supporter's team which consisted of four males and two females who were co-opted to make the full compliment of six paddlers.
After a welcome and a karakia the women's team were in the first race along with five other teams. Under Irene's expert guidance they gave it everything they had around the 4.5km course. The supporter's team did likewise when it came to their turn. Although no match for the more experienced teams, both teams did themselves proud coming in towards the back of the field. Overall a very positive experience and one that I would encourage other BWL members to consider in the future. Dont be put off by the 4.5km distance. It was very doable and lots of fun.
Thankyou to the supporters who came to watch and cheer us on.
Also thankyou to Sugar and her team from NZ Taniwha Dragon Boat and Outrigger Canoe Club for the opportunity to compete in this event.
National Championships - Ashburton - 27 March 2010
Leslie Ash writes on Lake Hood triumph ...
You have to love Canterbury weather. 30 degrees C on “travel” day and a balmy 15 degrees C on race day!
The 2010 NZ Dragon Boat Nationals hosted by Aoraki DBA and held at Lake Hood near Ashburton was a wonderful venue. The weather conditions were challenging; the competition was hot. Kudos to Meri Gibson and her team for running such a fantastic event..JPG)
We had brought the National BC trophy down to Ashburton with us knowing full well that we would have to paddle the race of the season if we wanted to bring it home again this year.
Busting with Life made a commitment as a team this year that we would fully align with the international standards for BC teams which requires all those on the boat to be BC survivors including drummer and sweep. Our coach Sean was looking forward to staying warm and dry from a safe position on the shore!
Each of the 6 BC teams raced in 4 open division races throughout the day, monitoring times, energy levels of team members and honing strategies in the build up to The Breast Cancer survivors’ Division Grand Final.
There may not always be the muscle strength and stamina of youth across the BC teams but if the measures are about passion, willingness to participate and dogged determination then this collective group has it in bucket loads.
Sean believed we could do it and he never waivered in that belief. He sent us off to the start line reminding us to have fun and breathe!
“Ladies, we have a start line – ATTENTION! – GO!!!”
It gets a bit blurry at this point. The noise, the water, the excitement and tension as we race down the course towards the finish at a frantic pace. Sweep JoJo was brilliant, found her voice and did she use it!
A photo finish for confirmation of results was required…..
We had 7 boats rafted up for the Flower Ceremony on Lake Hood. It is such a poignant reminder of all the elements that encompass the journey that is Breast Cancer and allows us all to pay respect to those who are no longer with us.
The plaintive call of the karakia by local iwi followed by the haka from the combined armed forces of the NZ Army and Air Force rang out across the lake. The aroha and inclusiveness of the NZ dragon boating family towards the BC teams is truly overwhelming.
Lakeside drinks and nibbles were generously provided by the Abreast of Life team as we cheered on the remaining finals with all thoughts of being wet and cold forgotten.
Big party and prizegiving at the Ashburton Hotel – a great time was had! What goes on tour stays on tour!
The NZBCF sponsored breakfast held at Lake Hood Resort Restaurant on Sunday morning was a fun mix and mingle event and it was great to chat on an informal basis with fellow teams who had been in opposition just a few hours before.
Oh, by the way… the Trophy was repacked in it’s carrier bag and brought back safely to Auckland by the triumphant Busting with Life Team! We won by the narrowest of margins and we know that margin is shrinking all the time!
Auckland Regionals - 13 March 2010
What a proud day for Busting With Life. We didn't get the final race result we
were hoping for (oooohhh - that start !!!!), but we "put it all out there", never giving up, and proved our ability to work together brilliantly as a team. All day we achieved terrific race times, and as a 100% breast cancer survivor team, we more than held our own against the "hail and hardy" mixed teams.
Bring on the Nationals !
Wenderholm Super 12 Fun Day - 23 January 2010
Veteran paddler Judith Overington gives the scoop on a great event ...
Busting With Life paddlers took part in the recent Super 12 fun day at Wenderholm organised by the Auckland Dragon Boat Association. Some of us who have been in regattas at the beach in the past were a little nervous about sea conditions and also the thought of doing turns during the racing was new for some paddlers. But when we arrived and saw the sea was like a mill pond we could relax and enjoy the day.
Although I don't think relaxing was the word we thought of when we paddled and paddled and paddled out off the beach for the first race (without turns because of the wind further out). This race was apparently 800 meters in to the shore, so it was quite hard going. After that we had a few 600m races and after the lunch break had 2 races with a Le Mans start and turns around buoys (approx 200m races I think).
Having Le Mans starts with the sweep getting in the boat last and the finish being a race up the beach by the callers added a fun aspect as did the lunchtime games of tug-of-war between teams and the jandal throwing competitions. Chris's son threw her jandal so far it ended up stuck in a high pohutukawa tree which our nimble coach Sean managed to retrieve by quickly climbing the tree!
We were in the Firefly final with Pink Dragons who beat us to the finish and we were ahead of Waikato Treasure Chests, but we all enjoyed the fun picnic atmosphere of the day.
Hamilton Super 12 - 18 Nov 2009
New BWL team member Eila Wild writes about her first regatta...
I had something of a coming out experience at the Waikato Super 12
Dragon Boat Regatta held in Hamilton at the city lake on 28th November. Not that having breast cancer is exactly a private matter when chemotherapy makes your hair fall out, but a lot of it is personal and unshared. So to stand in a linked circle with team-mates all in pink shouting "Feel It Find It Fix It!!!" prior to a race certainly blew the cobwebs off any remaining privacy, and left me feeling profoundly proud of the strength and solidarity of my new Dragon Boating friends. This feeling occurred again when the five breast cancer Survivor teams linked boats at the end of their race and shared a moment's silence for all our friends present in body and in spirit.
It was a wonderful day for we new members. We had the thrill of racing; of losing and winning; and we got to see the point of training! We also had the thrill of joining with a community of women who have a shared experience and a deep understanding of the loveliness of this life.
Mid Winter Flipping Freezin Fun Fundraiser - 5 Sept 2009
"Mid Winter Flipping Fun Fundraiser" was the billing. However it was officially spring by the time the event went ahead, after being postponed from the 8th of August. The Auckland Dragon Boating Association was putting it on as a pre-season get-together and to raise money to make some repairs to the trailers and boats.
The competition started at 9am and ran through to noon and consisted of a series of 250 metre sprints. At least it did until the tide went out too far, and our last race - our fourth - had to be cancelled!
It was a gorgeous sunny morning only marred by a biting wind, but team manager Ocker had put up the tent, so we were grateful for the comfort, and also for the grandstand views of Westhaven and the bridge. It was also an excellent view point for selecting the "Gin Palace" we want for our team base this season.
Paddling in the waka ama over the winter had honed the skills of some of the team, but others struggled, notably me. It has been a long time since the end of March. Quite discouraging really, but lovely to be welcomed back by such a wonderful group of people - and great to be on the water again.
There was one unfortunate incident towards the end of the morning when a member of Pink Dragons stepped out of their boat onto the "beach" only to sink thigh deep into the mud. Galant Sean, our coach, raced to her aid and managed to lift her on to the boat before he could be sucked into the mire himself.
After the races we rounded off the morning with a drink and platters of chips and seafood at Swashbucklers Bar - right on the waterfront - to enjoy more sun and sea and good company.
What an excellent start to the season for Busting With Life.
Kay Willcocks - BWL Paddler
STARLake Express - 18 July 2009
The day dawned ... heavy rains - gale force winds - freezing temperature - black skies - but nothing could deter BWL's "infamous 6" who braved all to race in the 5km STARlake Express Waka Ama Corporate Challenge on Lake Pupuke. Dressed in thermals from head to toe, but still visibly sporting the BWL pink shirt, not even competing against the fellas could shake our ladies' determination. And finishing a respectable 3rd against experienced waka ama paddlers ... just enhanced what was a really fun day. Well done ladies!
BWL Trophies Now On Display at NZBCF
With committee member closets overflowing with team trophies, it was time to find an appropriate home for all the silverware. On behalf of the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation, Executive Trustee Heather Shotter accepted all the team's awards from President Deb Stevenson and Committee member Irene Muller in a formal presentation on 8 July 2009. All the hardware will now be proudly displayed in the Parnell, Auckland offices of the NZBCF.
Deb Stevenson, Irene Muller, Heather Shotter
The National Dragon Boat Championships: 28 March 2009
Judith Overington reports on yet another "Golden" regatta for Busting With Life...
Busting With Life has just completed a very successful season by winning gold and retaining the National Championship trophy in the Breast Cancer division final at the Nationals held at Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) in Rotorua.
We gathered on Friday for a relaxing barbecue at our weekend base - Blue Lake Campground. On Saturday we had four races against Open and Corporate teams in the lead-up to the ultimate race - the Breast Cancer Division final. We were ecstatic to win the title of national Champion once again with the competition becoming tougher with each regatta this season. Following the Final, we had a moving "flowers on the water" ceremony which was held close to shore where we could see all the other teams and supporters and the respect they have for breast cancer paddlers. Then, as we paddled in, we were very honoured to be greeted by a haka performed by the young Rotorua boys who were helping with crew loading. That capped off a wonderful day on the water for us!
Later we attended the prize-giving where we received our Gold medals and championship cup. On Sunday morning we enjoyed a wonderful breakfast with all the breast cancer survivor teams. During this breakfast, Trici Nelson (founder of Breast Cancer dragon boating in NZ, and founder of Busting With Life) spoke, followed by both new and long-serving paddlers from each team - all sharing their dragon boating and team membership experiences. Leslie Ash and Robyn Brown represented our team very eloquently - thank you to them.
Thank you also to our fabulous coach Sean for getting us to the level where we can keep on winning; to our manager Ocke for making sure everyone had accommodation and transport; to our captain Kelly for making sure we were all doing what we needed to do; and to our president Deb for holding it all together and thinking of all the little details that needed to be sorted.
We look forward to next season !!!!
Check out the
Gallery for more photos.
Lake Pupuke: 14 March 2009
Winning is Habit Forming !!!
On 14 March, Busting With Life competed in the North Shore City Regional Dragon Boat Championships on Lake Pupuke. The early morning mist cleared to reveal a beautiful day, and the lake shone like a mirror. But, this was not to last ... as the day progressed the temperature dropped and rain showers moved in. The weather could not dampen this team's enthusiasm though. BWL competed in 5 races - all on a long 580 meter course! ... and took out the Breast Cancer Survivor final in a photo finish - pipping silver medalists Pink Dragons at the finish line. Boobops took the bronze position. It was an agonising wait for the results! Following the final, Breast Cancer Survivor teams rafted together for the traditional flower ceremony, with some well chosen words by BWL captain Kelly Smith.
BWL's win was celebrated at the prize giving ceremony held at R'Toto's, with Judith Overington accepting the cup and medals on the team's behalf.
The team's "home bake" and "wheelbarrow wine/beer raffle" were a great success - raising over $1,100 for the team's activities.
Tauranga Super 12: 14 February 2009
Veteran BWL paddler Clare Brown, after 10+ years on the team, writes on the most recent regatta ...
The Tauranga Super 12 is very popular with the team and was held this year on 14 February. Unlike last year, the weather was perfect. Only 12 paddlers are required in each race so with the popularity of the event we took it in turns to paddle.
We had five races in all including the Breast Cancer Division race. Five boats competed; Busting With Life, BooBops, Waikato Treasure Chests, Pink Dragons and, competing for the very first time, a team from Taranaki. Busting With Life had a very good race, winning by a good margin and breaking the one minute record for the course. To be honest the record was only broken with the assistance of a huge outgoing tide which almost carried the team under a wharf at the end of the race.
After the race, the breast cancer teams rafted together for a flower ceremony which is very sad as it gives us a moment to reflect, but then we turn our attention to the present, all our friends, and a great day on the water.
We also competed in an Open Division Final, finishing third, ahead of mixed teams.
Our thanks go to Sean, our excellent coach, and the team manager, Ocke. Thanks guys.
Hamilton Super 12: 29 November 2008
The 2008 - 2009 regatta season got off to a brilliant start with the Hamilton Super 12 on 29 November 08. The Waikato put on a fabulous day - bright sunshine, calm waters, an easy breeze - perfect conditions to accompany great organisation, a huge turn-out, and wonderful comraderie on and off the water. Busting With Life flew through 5 races, winning their open division semi-final, and coming second by only a whisker in the Breast Cancer final (congratulations to the home team BooPops).
New team member Leslie Ash writes about her first regatta experience...
The anticipation for a "newbee" of the first regatta held both excitement and a bad case of the nerves as we arrived at Hamilton Lake for the first Super 12 regatta of the season.
The day was, in a nutshell, gorgeous! Calm water, bright sunshine and clear conditions made it a paddler's dream.
The team (with able assistance from Ocker and Dave) quickly assembled tent, awnings and umbrellas like a well-oiled machine. The scene all around us was similar... Big BBQs and chilly bins, guitars, singing, and of course the coffee and ice cream wagons to complete the scene.
Coach Sean prepped us all for the first race and with nervous butterflies we set up and headed out to the start line. The splashing and sparks flew as we powered up and all around us the shouting and tactics of the other teams could be heard. The spirit of competition is alive and well in the mighty Waikato.
Nothing quite prepares you for the rush of your first race! You forget to breathe, you wonder how you will ever keep up with the seasoned talent already on the boat and all you can think about is keeping time and not clashing antlers with the paddles front and stern of you. The legs feel like jelly when you climb out of the boat and you have a silly grin on your face!
That grin only got bigger as we powered through 5 races. Our performance was solid throughout the day. We won our semi final in the open division and came second in the Breast Cancer race. A great day with a great team!
One of the "newbees" was heard to say at the end of the day, "That was about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on!".
Onwards and upwards for the girls.
Auckland National Dragon Boat Festival: 29 March 2008
In 2007, Busting With Life was pipped at the post for the Championship Shield by Christchurch’s Abreast in a Boat, but not this year !!!
Busting With Life saved its best for the 5th and final race of the day to win the NZ Breast Cancer Dragon Boat Championship Shield, missing the gold medal by only a whisker to the visiting 80-20 Dragons Abreast Gold Coast (80% of the team being breast cancer survivors.
The Nationals were held for the first time on Lake Pupuke on Auckland’s North Shore. This was an exciting new venue for Dragon Boating in New Zealand, providing a full 500 metre course and excellent spectator viewing.
Go to gallery to view more photos
Wellington Dragon Boat Festival: 15 & 16 March 2008
Wellington put on magnificent blue skies and calm waters for its annual dragon boat festival. The weather brought out cheering crowds to urge on the 1800 competitors and 72 teams from around the country for the 1st day of the event. Wellington City Council's WCC Conquerors took the gold in the corporate grand championship final, and Masterton's JNL team took honours in the open section.
The Wellington Festival did not have a breast cancer division, so survivor teams competed against mixed teams (guys and gals) in the Open Social section. Busting With Life brought home the bronze medal in this category, the top finishing position for breast cancer teams all day, and the team's first medal in an Open Social Grand Final. And - they did so while being short 2 paddlers. Quite an accomplishment for this determined lot of ladies and their coach Sean Ogden.
... Bring on the National Championships !!!
Tauranga
Super 12: 1 March 2008Another success for Busting With Life - winning the breast cancer final in the 2nd annual Tauranga Super 12. Not even the blustery weather and strong currents could deter our ladies as they left even mixed teams (guys and gals) in their wake. The team celebrated in fine style at the post regatta medal ceremony with the odd glass of bubbly and wine, followed by a team dinner.
Tiger Beer Dragon Boat Festival - 16th February 2008
Held in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour, the festival was brought forward this year to coincide with the Chinese New Year. The timing provided a reminder to all of the sport's long history and roots.
Congratulations to Busting Wth Life for winning the Breast Cancer Grand Final, Hamilton City Watersports for knocking KPC off their crown as Open Grand Final Champions, and the Airforce…winners of the Corporate Grand Final and recipients of $28,000.00 towards airfares from Cathay Pacific to race at the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Festival in June later this year!
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Breast Cancer Grand Final: |
Time: |
|
Gold - Busting With Life |
1:28:93 |
|
Silver - Boobops |
1:29:15 |
|
Bronze - Ascot Radiology Pink Dragons |
1:33:39 |
