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As dawn broke over the Penrith International Regatta Centre, the air was buzzing with excitement as Mako kicked off its 24-25 season campaign. Mako Paddle Club. With a hardy squad of twenty-seven feisty females and nine high mileage but regularly serviced men, we lined up to tackle 500m 20’s in Open, Women’s, and Mixed Premier categories: an ambitious feat for most teams but nothing more than a speed bump for the salty Jervis Bay crew.
The Journey Begins
The day started with paddlers gathering at the International Regatta Centre, laughter and nerves swirling amongst the musty smells of half-dried paddling shoes. With coffee down range, Coach Chicki briefed the troops on the mission: “I don’t care where we come or what times we do; our mission is to improve across the day. It could be times, timing, technique, or getting tighter as a crew.”
The Mixed crew led the Mako challenge out for the day. True to the challenge, they improved between heats and then ran the time of day to snatch third in the Minor Final—not too dusty a way to open the account.
Wonder Women
When it comes to superhuman efforts, it’s Mako hats off to our Women who rampaged in their own 20s boat, and then thirteen jumped straight out and threw down in the Open’s crew as well. Not a backward step was taken; it was a quickfire six-race run through the heats and into the finals.
Punching well above their weight, the Mako women took second in the Minor final, putting down the fourth-fastest time of the day. It was a huge effort, but true to the mission, it was delivered with a smooth and rhythmic last race that, if it were a voice, it would be Isaac Hayes.
With the rhythm flowing, the Open’s crew got to work. A stunned crew stood on the hill as the Open’s Major final line-up was announced. ‘Mako Lane 6.’ As the crew headed out to battle, one undeniable fact emerged – Mako was the only regional crew sitting amongst five of Sydney’s best. And what a final it was, the best run of the day and when the dust and spray settled, Mako celebrated its sixth place safe in the knowledge that a few twenty-man crews were watching seven men and thirteen women rampage down course with #makomojo shining.
What’s Next?
As the sun lowered and Mako piled in cars for the long haul home, it was worth a moment to celebrate what had just been pulled off. Another hugely successful road trip where the club delivered on the mission and kept on getting better across the day. Whether in the creek or across the country, the #makomojo (and Chef’s Salty Balls) alleys mean we tick the competitive boxes because we paddle for each other and the love of racing. With plans for future races already brewing, the Mako men knew that this experience was just the beginning of their journey. Together, they would continue to grow, train, and take on new challenges, united by the spirit of adventure and the love of dragon boating.
Paddling for a Purpose: Supporting Shoalhaven’s Homeless
Mako Paddle Club is taking on an exciting and challenging 60km paddle across the beautiful waters of Jervis Bay to raise much-needed funds for SAHSSI (Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra). SAHSSI is a dedicated not-for-profit charity that provides life-changing support and accommodation to individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in our local Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions. You can make a tax-deductible donation by clicking this link.
