1. Tell us a little about the Sydney Tsunami Dragon Boat Club
Sydney Tsunami Dragon Boat Club Inc. is based in Pyrmont, Sydney. We're a diverse mix of men and women of all ages from many walks of life and our motto is Serious Fun! Tsunami aims to compete at a high level, promote good sportsmanship and participation, and aid in the development of the sport of dragon boating.
The origins of Sydney Tsunami were in the early 90's when we competed initially under the banner of our corporate sponsors. We did so well that after a few seasons we were promoted to a sports team. In 1998/99 Sydney Tsunami was officially formed with new uniforms and a new crew, combining experience with enthusiasm. The club competes every year in the mixed, open, and women's divisions of the regattas on the NSW Dragon Boat calendar and in 2009, as in many previous years, competed at the national championships.
In the 2005/06 season, Sydney Tsunami was voted DBNSW Club of the Year by our peers, which reflects Tsunami's dedication to giving back to the sport through volunteering.
Overseas, the crew has won medals competing in Boracay in the Philippines in 2005; we enjoyed a successful trip to Penang in Malaysia in 2006; and in May 2009 we brought back two trophies from the races in Stanley, Hong Kong.
We always welcome new paddlers! You can be of any age and any fitness level - you just have to be willing! It's a great way to meet a new bunch of friendly people in Sydney and to keep fit at the same time. We paddle throughout the year, so it's always a good time to start.
Best of all, the first three lessons are absolutely FREE with no obligation to join so you can try us out to see if we're right for you. So come on down and meet us. How about this Saturday? :)
2. What inspired you to get into Dragon Boat Racing
I became intrigued with the sport when I was on holiday in the Philippines. It looked like a fantastic way to get out on the water, meet the locals, and get fit at the same time!
3. What do you enjoy most about the sport?
After being involved in dragon boat paddling for 7 years, with the last three as head coach of Sydney Tsunami, it never fails to inspire me when I see everyone, no matter who they are off the water, come together as one and paddle in unison. Dragon boating can be as social or as serious as you want to make it!
It is a sport where in a relatively short space of time you can be given the opportunity to paddle for your state, and as I’m doing this year, for your country. I’m excited and extremely proud to be heading to Prague, Czech Republic, at the end of August this year as part of the Australian National Dragon Boat Team, to compete at the biannual World Championships!
Of course I also love participating in a sport that gets me outdoors, and in the summer, what better than a sport that keeps you cool on the water?!
4. Do you have a favourite place or cafe in Pyrmont?
After a Saturday morning training session nothing beats breakfast at Studio 4, Saunders St, at the bottom of the Network Ten building. Its the favourite spot for hoards of hungry paddlers on the weekend!
5. Name you top 3 movies of all time
1. Million Dollar Baby
2. The Beach
3. Samsara
6. What is your favourite food?
I Love Malaysian and Indonesian food. My favourite restaurant at the moment is Mamak in Goulburn Street in Haymarket.
7. Who do you look up to or admire?
My personal trainer and fellow Australian Dragon Boat Teammate, Michal Hrcka. At the end of last year we decided we were both going to make it our goals to qualify for the Australian National Team and go to the World Championships in Prague. Its thanks to him and the support he's shown me every inch of the way that I've made the crew (and the top ranked female at that!). I really believe that if it wasnt for him I wouldn't be where I am today. Its exciting that our goals are coming to fruition and at the end of this month we'll be wearing the green and gold and competing for our country!!!
To find out more about or to join the
Sydney Tsunami Dragon Boat Club in Pyrmont, visit
www.sydneytsunami.org.au or email:
info@sydneytsunami.org.auOther People
What to do on a sunny afternoon in Pyrmont? How about sailing Sydney Harbour and enjoying fabulous food and wine with your friends or work colleagues.
This is exactly what I had the opportunity to do recently with some great people. We met in the Terrace Room at the Australian National Maritime Museum. This superb venue has floor to ceiling windows looking out onto amazing views of Darling Harbour and the city skyline – yes, very nice! Here we enjoyed coffee and pastries by Bayleaf Catering before boarding our luxury yacht with Sydney by Sail – located at Festival Pontoon at the National Maritime Museum and at Cockle Bay Marina in Darling Harbour – to partake in the afternoon regatta. Leaving from out the front of the Museum, we began our sailing adventure, passing the spectacular views of the city and the decommissioned naval destroyer HMAS Vampire.
Sailing out further into Sydney Harbour, we began to pick up speed which made it all the more fun! Each of us also had the opportunity to play sailor by having a go at steering the yacht….T’was very cool. It was also great to see close up key Sydney landmarks including the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, Luna Park, Kirribilli House and Garden Island. Being a Wednesday afternoon, we passed other sailing enthusiasts enjoying the gorgeous blue skies and sunshine as a backdrop. Wow, I could really get to enjoy this lifestyle permanently.
As the afternoon meandered along our sturdy skipper took control so we could kick back and indulge in a delicious lunch and partake in yet more fine wines also provided by Bayleaf Catering – these nice people also operate and provide the yummy menu for Yots Cafe & Bar and the adjoining Port Hole kiosk at the Maritime Museum. Before we knew it, our sensational afternoon was soon to come to an end. We headed back to Pyrmont, passing more gorgeous small coves and beaches nestled along the Sydney Harbour foreshore. Upon returning to the dock, we went back into the Terrace Room for prize-giving, canapes and more champagne. What a perfect way to end the afternoon!
If you are looking for a team building exercise or thinking about what to do for your next event, why not consider a regatta or Treasure Hunt around Sydney Harbour. Or you may simply wish to learn to sail. Either way, look no further than the harbour foreshore in Pyrmont.
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