In The Press

In the press: Different strokes for boating folks

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Published on Tuesday, 31 May 2011 16:53

The Sydney Star Observer has published an article in preparation for the club's 2011/2012 season launch: 

Australia’s only gay and lesbian dragon boating club, Different Strokes, is ready to kick off the new dragon boating season.

Dragon boat racing is a longstanding Chinese tradition that has developed into a fast and furious water sport around the world. In Australia, it’s the fastest-growing water sport, with 22 people required to propel a boat from start to finish.

Formed in 2008, Different Strokes recently capped off its best-ever season by competing in the National Championship in Canberra (and finishing a creditable 24th out of 66 teams).

The club marked the 2010/11 season by making inroads into the top echelons of the sport (achieving a number of finals berths in NSW races), fielding its own all-women’s crew for the first time, and having four members selected to train with the Australian squad. It also won a prestigious award from Vision Australia (for its support of vision-impaired paddlers and the assistance it gave Vision Australia so it could field crews in two regattas), and marched in the Mardi Gras parade.

Different Strokes is looking for new members. Whether you play other sports, go to the gym or just want to get fit and are looking for a change, you can go to the next biannual open session on Saturday, June 4. The free session starts at 10am at 1 Bank St, Pyrmont.

Wear sports clothing or breathable attire that dries quickly, anti-slip shoes or sandals suitable for water sports, and bring some warm clothes to change into after paddling.

Expect some basic skills training on land, a warm-up and then about an hour paddling on the water, followed by a sausage sizzle.

info: Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , call Ray on 0412 322 336 or search for ‘Different Strokes Dragon Boat Club’ on Facebook.

In the press: Different Strokes for queer folks

Details
Published on Tuesday, 29 March 2011 16:13

As published in the Star Observer: 

Australia’s only gay and lesbian dragon boating club, Different Strokes, is two-thirds of the way through its most successful season, but is opening its doors for new members with a trial paddling evening as part of the Mardi Gras Festival.

Formed in 2008, this season the club has a record number of members, has entered more crews in more events than ever before and, for the first time, entered an all-women’s crew in the Chinese New Year regatta held last weekend.

It was also announced last week that four paddlers from the club have been selected to represent Australia in the 10th IDBF World Dragon Boat Racing which will be held in Tampa, Florida in August.

“While this season still has the state championships and the Australian championships to come, this has already been our best year. We started last year with only eight members and we now have more than 80, including four with the Australian team,” club president Nigel Bedford said.

“We have made several finals including our first all-women’s crew, and we’ve come extremely close to winning our first major trophy. There is still much ahead and the whole club is eagerly awaiting the chance to compete in Canberra at the Australian championships — another first for the club.”

To encourage new members to join, the club is holding its biannual open session at 6pm on Tuesday, February 22 at 1 Bank St, Pyrmont. The free session is open to all who’d like to give dragon boating a go. Participants will undergo some basic on-land skills training and about an hour of paddling on the water, followed by a sausage sizzle. They should wear sports clothing or breathable attire that dries quickly and anti-slip shoes or sandals suitable for water sports.

Different Strokes will also have a stall at Fair Day on February 20.

info: Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or search for Different Strokes Dragon Boat Club on Facebook.