Friday, 23 May 2014 – Broadwater Dragon Boat Club will represent the Gold Coast when it competes at the 2014 Taipei International Dragon Boat Championship next month.
Mayor Tom Tate met some of the crew members today ahead of their journey to the Gold Coast’s sister city.
“It is only through our sister city relationship with Taipei that the Broadwater Club is able to participate in this international cultural event,” he said.
“I’m thrilled the Gold Coast has representation at this major cultural event. I know the team has been training very hard and I wish them every success in this competition.”
The Broadwater club is taking 27 team members and competing in a full size dragon boat in the mixed open division.
Head Coach, Micah Roberts, said the team had recently competed at the state and national titles, securing 17 medals, including seven gold; with its junior crew named the current national open and mixed 10s boat champions.
“The Taipei Dragon Boat Championship is a great stepping stone from the nationals in preparation for the Club Crew World Championships in Italy later in the year, where we hope to defend our title as World Champions in the Grand Masters division,” he said.
“We are training three times a week on the Nerang River, and expect our paddlers to do three to four land trainings a week, either in the gym or cross training on water.”
Mr Roberts said he was grateful to the Mayor’s office for providing the invitation to compete in Taipei.
“We’re also thankful to Taipei for hosting our accommodation and transportation once we arrive. We’re really looking forward to doing the Gold Coast proud.”
