// Dragon Boating

- Another Proud Season for Air

The 2009 Dragon Boating season is now over and what an exciting season it has been for the Air Force team, first winning the Base Auckland 2008 Sports Team of the Year, then bringing home a gold medal from the Regionals and one bronze medal from the Nationals.

The team heading out

For over seven years we have built a reputation as being one of the top Dragon Boat teams in New Zealand. Being successful and staying at the top over the years is due to our coach of seven years, Ben Finau and the efforts of past and present members.

Nationals this year also saw the introduction of just one grade – Corporate and Open racing against each other for a place in the grand final. The team did the Air Force proud and made the Grand Final and got the bronze medal. We’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Geoff the Sweep, from Canterbury Dragons who came to our rescue when we were left stranded literally at the loading bay by our original sweep who decided to race with another team. Fortunately for us Geoff was able to sweep our team in the final due to his Canterbury crew not quite making the Grand Final.

Mrs Paula Rudolph: It was a privilege to paddle with the Air force team, this year being my first time. I was a bit hesitant with the transition from wakaama to dragon boating. But I quickly found out that a familiar regime, with Ben’s expert coaching and the combination of commitment, dedication and discipline from Paddlers/Support and Admin people makes for a successful team. And that is what we are.

The Nationals

POHCM Nathan Tamihana: A hint for future paddlers – when Ben and Sugar say that it will be a light training session ... they are lying to you. It was a very professional team, and I’m proud to be part of the team.

SQNLDR Tony Collins: Coach Ben made the training sessions hard in order to test both physical and mental stamina. This carried through to the races where he always demanded excellence. Without this sort of coach I could imagine it would be very easy to turn up and just go through the motions at training and not get the results at regattas.

FGOFF Jim Sheehan: As a first time paddler I soon discovered new muscles I hadn’t used for ages that quickly depleted in energy and the coach continuously hammered me for not being in time, holding the paddle wrong or using poor technique. I now know that I was probably lucky not to be cast out of the boat halfway round the marina. Through sheer determination and a desire not to let my team down or jettison me, I stuck with it and eventually, once the body got used to the exercise, I looked forward to the three weekly sessions.

The Dragon Boating Team

FGOFF Jim Sheehan was awarded the Most Improved Paddler of the Year (as selected by the Coach) with FLTLT Phil Jackson being awarded the MVP of the Year.

Ms Nicole Portas: It was awesome! For me, getting the bronze medal at the Nationals was 10 times better than any of the other medals or titles we’ve received in the past. We can foot it with the best Open Crews in NZ. Air Force really did ‘Step up’ this season.

AC Leeza Ratapu: Dragon boating was awesome. I absolutely loved it! I met heaps of people who I now consider my family. What I loved most was getting on the water and working well together as one unit. Trainings were intense but I enjoyed how the feedback was always constructive and pointed out what we needed to work on in order to be the best!

AC Lana Johnstone: Paddling this year was an experience and adventure that I would definitely do again. What also made it worthwhile was the awesome bunch of people on the team – welcoming, encouraging, and motivated – I’m glad I was part of such a strong team this year and hope to be again for many years to come.

The team limbers up

And a final word from Coach Ben Finau: When you look at the experience in both the KPC and Hamilton City Water Sports Open crews, compared to your crew – they were streets ahead. However the end results don’t show that. It showed Sugar and I that what the team lacked in experience they definitely made up in having ‘HUGE TICKERS’ and belief in themselves.

Once again it has been a privilege to be part of an awesome crew both on and off the water.

2009 Air Force Dragon Boat

Ben Finau (Coach), Sugar Te Paa (Technical Advisor), AC J. Anderson, FGOFF J. Borgman, CPL K. Borgman, LAC S. Brogan, SQNLDR T. Collins, Mr M. Cook, CPL C. Coomer, SGT J. Ekman, Mr G. Portas, Ms H. Fuller, CPL B. Hardie, FLTLT P. Jackson, AC L. Johnstone, Ms L. Howe, AC P. Motuliki, Ms N. Portas, AC L. Ratapu, W/O J. Rudolph, FGOFF J. Sheehan, POHCM T. Nathan, LAC M. Wilson, Mrs E. Portas, Mrs P. Skipper, Debz Giddens, Maki, Geoff & Rick.

Image Gallery - Issue 104