Mako Rocks a Roadtrip to the Capital by Special Correspondent Jacquie Smith

Early Saturday morning February 20, Team Mako rocked into Grevilla Park, wearing our team racing gear white, bright, and proud. We set up camp under the tress and watched as the sun rose over the city, turning the sky into a mix colours of red, orange, and blue. We knew then, it was going to be an awesome day.

There was a feeling of mixed emotion amongst the crew. For some of us newer paddlers, the thought of doing a 2000m race seemed dauting and there was some slight reservations around weather we had the stamina to make the distance. Our more experience paddles seemed cool, calm, and collected and with reassurance from the most inspiring, positive coaches, we were ready to smash out the race.

Starting the Day with a Rampant 2k

With a full boat of 20’s, we started the 2000m lead by Lyn and Janine as our strokes. With Kiwi as our sweep, Janita on the drum and Chicki and Bear in the boat, we gained a sense of confidence which spread through the boat like a wildfire. We started off strong and just kept getting stronger, longer, and deeper. Before we knew it, we had passed 2 boats in the first lap and kept up the momentum throughout the race. What a way to start the day!!

We knew we did well and the sense of achievement that we felt just set the standard for the rest of the day. Then most of us jumped into the boat to do it all again and Wow!! Our little Ella shone with aggression and rhythm on the drum and Bear managed to keep our rocky boat afloat. Everyone gave it all they had and together we got to through the finish line the race, feeling a sense of accomplishment, exactly the way a great team should.

And now take half the people – 10s racing ohhhh yeah

Then went onto the 10’s 200m races.

The mixed teams were broken into 2 teams, Angry and Hungry. Angry lead by Ange and Michael (The weapon) and Hungry lead by Chicki and Ron. They set the bar high for both teams and inspired us to do our best. Angry smashed it out and made us all proud making the Major Final and Hungry were the loudest, proudest cheer squad as we watched our team compete.

The Opens 10’s 200m (for me) was the highlight of the day. Chick and Michael stroked the boat into not 1 but 2 first places in the heats!! It was Incredible! The power in the boat was Amazing!!

We watched from the sideline as they literally powered down the racecourse and won by an easy boat’s length. I reckon that the residents of Canberra could hear the words “Go Mako” echoing through their houses during the races. They made it to the Major Final again, making us the proudest team at the Regatta.

Then finally, the Woman’s 10’s 200m. This made me so proud and so empowered by the women around me. For some of us newer paddlers, we worked so hard to overcome anxiety and nerves and managed to turn these emotions into strength and power. This, I believe, was inspired by the more experienced woman paddlers in the boat, Janita and Ella on the drum and Chicki as our sweep. They lead us to making the Minor Finals in the Woman’s and allowing us to experience the most Amazing sense of achievement and empowerment. Thank you so much Ladies Xoxo

I didn’t mention each and everyone of us by name, but you all are equally inspiring and important to me and I am honoured to be a part of your team. From the oldest and newer paddlers, we are a great team, and we showed every team at the regatta how Amazing we are, and it was surely recognised amongst the crowd. I had that many people come up to me and ask about Mako and I was so very proud to tell them all about us, Who we are and Where we come from.

And there is my take on one of the proudest days ever!! Being apart of the Mako Team has changed my life in so many ways. I never thought I would be in Canberra, participating in a Dragon Boating Regatta, but it has honestly been one of the best experiences.

I am stealing my last comment from Lyn Crocker’s facebook comment because I think she summed it up perfectly and I wanted to share it with everyone.

“I think it was the best regatta we have done yet not just in performances but teamwork, attitude, camaraderie, friendships and smiles. Well done Mako. It’s a pleasure paddling with you. BIG thank you to Chicki and Bear for all their hard work. Xx” (Lyn Crocker).

 P.S Chick and Bear, you guys are Amazing and you inspire us to be the Amazing Team Mako that we are! Xoxox