They’re not expecting to make the podium, but for a group of Mount Beauty and Yarrawonga paddlers simply reaching state level is a victory.
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A combined crew from the two fledgling dragon boat clubs contested the Victorian Championships at Gateway Lakes on the weekend.
Their opening paddle as a team on Saturday earned praise from onlookers and perhaps even surprised themselves.
“We’ve actually got to the state championships, over the moon about that, and then to get a fourth place (out of six) in our first race, never raced together before, is just fantastic,” Mount Beauty Dragon Boat Club coach Steve Blair said.
“Just to compete, to get out there and have a bit of fun.”
Both the Mount Beauty club and Yarrawonga Yacht Club Dragon Boat Paddlers praised the support given to them by the two Border clubs, Brave Hearts and Warriors.
Yarrawonga Yacht Club commodore Steve Haintz said his paddlers only formed a club in September.
“They never thought they’d go in a regatta two months ago,” he said.
