Equipment

So, what do you need?

As we can only paddle one boat per team you won't be required to buy a boat - but you probably expected that! We practice in boats provided at either Kerr's Reach or Lyttelton Harbour. You'll notice slight variations between the boats, but they're basically pretty much the same. We're very grateful to Dave Sloss and Linfield Dragon Boat Team for their ongoing support in providing us with the use of his boat.

This photo courtesy Pam Johnson

You will need a paddle though. You can choose to purchase your own paddle or use one provided by the team. Interestingly, not all paddles are the same. Depending on the competition, we may use a NZ standard paddle, or an international paddle. Generally we use the NZ standard paddle and it is this type that is available for purchase. Most paddlers find that waxing the handle of their paddle gives a better grip. The team provides wax for this purpose.

As for you, the paddler - you will need a big heart, a big smile and an appetite for activity. The peripherals include a life jacket, which is provided by the team and is designed specifically for paddling. Please look after it well. You may also choose to purchase a kneepad, similar to those used by volleyball players. This protects your inside knee from bruising as you kneel on it when paddling. Another item that is almost essential is a pair of surf shoes or aqua shoes to protect your feet as you wade through shallow waters to get in and out of the boat.

Other than that, you may use gloves, a hat, sunglasses or whatever makes you more comfortable and thus makes the boat go faster.

Happy Paddling!

Training

Members are expected to turn up for boat training. This starts late October and is held on Tuesday evenings at 5.30pm. After the Christmas/New Year, as regattas get closer, training increases to twice weekly, usually on a Saturday morning as well. If the team is intending to compete on the sea at Auckland or Wellington, sea training at Lyttelton will be part of the training schedule. A compulsory tip out is scheduled once each season, and members need to be able to swim 50 metres.

The season finishes in mid-late March, and then winter training begins - walking, aquacise, gym training, etc. During the winter of 2004 we are also training on Lyttelton Harbour in outrigger wakas. These are 6-person canoes with outriggers, and this training will help to maintain our paddling fitness and also strengthen both sides of the upper body, as with waka paddling you paddle x number of strokes on one side and then change to the other side.

Race days

Race days are held at Lake Rotokahatu, at the airport end of Sawyers Arms Road.

Races include the Early Bird held at the end of January, South Island Champs and Christchurch Dragon Boat Festival held late February to mid March. Nationals are held either in the North Island or South Island.

Race days start around 9.00am and you need to be at the lake by 8.30am to make sure you are ready and organised. We generally have four to five races on the day with approximately one hour between races.

Items you will need for race days include (but is not limited to) your paddle, own chair, food - snack and lunch, plenty to drink, both hot and cold, hat, sunscreen, dry warm clothing to put on between races, race uniform, polyprops, towels, dress uniform for the after race function.

The coaches select the team based on what they consider the best team for the race. The team assembles 20-30 minutes before race start, and walks in boat formation to the warm-up area where the team captain will take us through our warm up sequence. You need to have your paddle, knee pad, and life jacket if wearing one, with you at this time. Ten minutes before race start we proceed in boat formation to the crew assembly point and await directions to load. Lanes and boats are drawn by ballot, so you need to be prepared to paddle an unfamiliar boat.

The back of the boat loads first, sweep first then two back paddlers and so on up the boat. This needs to be done quietly, quickly and efficiently. Be seated as quickly as possible with paddles flat on the water to help hold the boat in a stable position while the rest of the team gets seated. The caller is the last to load, and wears a number on their arm to indicate racing lane. Once loaded the sweep is in command and eyes and ears are in our boat only. We paddle out to the race start line and line up in our lane. As soon as we are in position in our lane everyone is focussed and has paddles at attention. The two or four back paddlers will generally control the position of the boat under instructions from the sweep. The starter commands are Attention, Paddles Ready, then the race hooter to start.

Trips

The Abreast of Life Team has had trips to Auckland and Wellington to compete against the Auckland team. In March 2003 the team competed in the Inaugural South Pacific Breast Cancer Regatta, held in Auckland, and then the following weekend went to Wellington to compete in the Cancer Division of the New Zealand Nationals.

Races in Auckland are held in the Viaduct Basin. Racing is usually over two days, with heats the first day, and further heats and then the finals late on the second day. The same applies in Wellington, where racing is held at Queens Wharf.

Flower ceremony

A very special part of breast cancer survivor dragon boat racing is the flower ceremony at the end of racing. All boats racing in this division join together on the water for a ceremony of remembrance for all those women and men who have succumbed to this insidious disease.

All the other teams join in on the land as well to pay tribute to the brave and courageous people who gave their lives to cancer. The race announcer sets the scene, then as silence descends on paddlers and public alike, the survivors cast their flowers to the water amidst much emotion, hugs and tears. It brings a lump to the throat of anyone who has ever taken part in or witnessed this most moving ceremony.

Here are Abreast of Life team, Auckland team Busting With Life, and Wellington cancer team CanSurvive taking part in the flower ceremony at the Nationals in Christchurch in 2004.

Social Functions

While fund raising brings us together frequently, we also enjoy fun weekend breaks away together, with Hanmer Springs and Akaroa being favourite getaway destinations. We also enjoy midwinter dinners, breakfasts and coffee breaks, and walking as a group round Hagley Park, on the Port Hills, or as part of organised public fun run/walks.

Fund raising

The team is involved in intensive fund raising
to pay entry fees, travel and uniform costs.

We are generally willing to try anything
that will bring a return to team funds.
Activities currently and in the past include
selling beer at Jade Stadium, pumpkin picking,
assisting at triathlon and walking events,
warehouse stocktaking, preparing and packing
home brew kits, labelling breakfast cereals,
kitchen assistants at major catering events
and balls, sausage sizzles, etc.

Uniforms

Racing shirt, tracksuit with polo shirt, and a dress shirt for formal occasions are supplied to all team members, along with a lifejacket for paddling. Uniforms and gear belong to the team and need to be returned if moving out of the paddling squad. They should be kept clean and well maintained. It is the responsibility of team members to wear polyprops for warmth and to supply boat or aqua shoes and bike type black shorts to wear in the boat.

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