The first race of 2011 proved to be a memorable one for the Squamish Dragon Boat Association's (SDBA) Team Chawanda at the Deep Cove Dash on Saturday (April 16).
The team, which is made up completely of local women, took home the gold in the B division at the 7th annual event. The ladies competed in four different 200-metre races, outlasting 17 other teams to capture first place.
"We're thrilled with our finish," said team representative Cathie Greenlees. "Especially considering a number of our crew have been paddling for only a few months."
The team hits the water three times a week on the Cattermole Slough and Greenlees said the practices can be intense but fun.
"We're usually out there for about half an hour and our coach [Carl Mendoza] works us really hard," she said.
Greenlees said that the SDBA is looking to start a men's and mixed team in the near future and hopes to attract some new members from the upcoming Squamish Outdoor Recreation Expo on April 30 at the Adventure Centre. The SDBA is launching a youth team in conjunction with the Squamish Youth Centre, but Greenlees said the club is looking for men to join up. Having more men competing would mean the SDBA could enter mixed races and men's races in addition to the women's races they compete in already.
"We're still a new organization and only in our third year," she said. "But last year was really our first year of competing and the first year where we had all locals competing."
Team Chawanda's next race will be the Rio Tinto Alcan Dragon Boat Festival, which takes place in Vancouver on June 10 and 11. The team also plans to compete in a race in San Francisco in September.
Those interested in joining the SDBA or seeking further information on the group can do so by checking out their Facebook page by typing "Squamish Dragon Boating" into the search bar.
