Lake Kawana – April 2014
The time had come as we arrived in the sunny Queensland
state with our paddles and ready to race.
The race course down at Lake Kawana couldn’t be better with the warm sun
shining on us all day. This is what our season had leaded up to, perfect
weather with greatest people. The komodo
masters had been racing on days before our arrival we arrive midweek in the
weeklong event. Our hotel wasn’t that far from the race course so we unpacked
our bags, prepared our food for the next couple days and enjoyed the warm
weather and cool waters, a much needed change from the dropping temperate of Canberra
that were closing down to 0 degrees. Our
first day was the State vs. State competition and for Adrian L and I it was an Australian
first, with the introduction of the under 23’s racing category. The new age category
allowed us to instead of going straight from juniors into premier opens,
essentially racing against any age; we were now about to race in this youth
grade. Even though as a state we were
not successful, it was just a pleasure in itself to compete in the first ever
races for it.
After the state races
were complete it came the moment that Adrian A was most keen about, the jersey
presentation. While we were all excited everyday Adrian would be counting it
down reminding us, as to him that was his highlight moment. A crowd gathered
around the presentation area as the Australian Dragonboat Federation president,
Kel Watt, gave an introduction. He explained the journey of the auroras and
from where it had started to where it was now, which was fitter, stronger
paddlers than ever. As they began to read each name of every team member out,
my heart wanted to jump through my chest, the anticipation climbed as they
called Adrian A, he walked out shook the coach’s hand and stood in front of the
Australian Dragonboat community. I was called shortly after and proudly
accepted my jersey and threw it on instantly, to stand with team mates and be
recognised as an Australian Representative.
For Adrian A, it was a whole lot more than just a jersey,
but being the first indigenous man to represent Australia in dragonboating, and
to be selected for the first world cup. He stood there more proud than anyone
and his journey to get to where he is was a long road, being turned back in
previous campaigns to keep coming back. There we all stood, as the auroras! Ready
to take on anyone, as we had trained hard to earn our positions. Kel Watt then
proceeded to introduce a world first along with the world cup, but that at the
opening ceremony over in china; Australia will be both flying the traditional
flag and the indigenous flag, leaving Adrian A as the flag bearer. To represent
his country, his people and his family was a huge achievement and everyone
could see tears of joy stream down his face and he held up the flag to which he
honours and passionately will represent.
After the tears, photos and embrace of our team makes the
small celebration which could have gone on for the rest of the day couldn’t, as
in within the next few hours, we would be racing and we needed to remain
focused.
