Golden girls speak to council
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Updated: October 29, 2009 3:29 PM
Sixteen women from the Fort Langley Canoe Club’s FORTified dragon boat team took gold at the B.C. Senior Games held in Richmond in September.
Out of the mixed team, the group of women formed a team called Power Surge and entered the competition.
The minimum age to qualify as a senior in this competition is 55.
It was late last fall that a new Dragon boat team formed, making it the first senior team and 11th club to practice on the Bedford Channel.
“The first day they advanced out of the heats. They had a paddle rate of 65 strokes per minute. In less than three and a half hours they had paddled four times in heats and in the fourth race they walked off with gold,” said Terry Thorne who spoke to Township council on behalf of the club on Monday night.
Council presented the women with certificates of honour for their accomplishment.
Captain Chris Dunne thanked the Township for all they’ve done for water sports in Fort Langley’s waterfront.
The new canoe dock was just completed on the Bedford Channel.
“Eight years ago Women on Water was the first Dragon boat team. Now we have many who do it from young people to 50 and 60-year-olds to one member who is 89. You don’t have to race, there is plenty of recreational paddling from kayaking, to canoes, to outriggers.”
Generally, practices go from April to September, but many teams find it so enjoyable they go year-round, rain or shine.
Dragon boating is one of the fastest growing activities in B.C.
Members of the gold medal team are Alison Wilkins, Barb Maestri, Cheryl Bublitz, Chris Dunne, Terry Dunne, Colleen Littledale, Debbie Jackson, Jan Brown, Jean Homefeld, Lani Schultz, Maggie Cox, Patty Lester, Reva Berman, Ruth Bedell, Sheila Thomson and Sue Tuttle.
For further information about Dragon boating go to fortlangleycanoeclub.com.
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