Lake Kawana - April 2014
As the sun fell behind the horizon on the race course at
Lake Kawana, we were on the start line, the last race of the day. 2km left and
our first day in Queensland was done, although it wasn’t going to be easy. Komodo
ended out coming 9
Komodo has produced the best results in their young 4 national’s
history and climbing up the ranks to exceed all expectations. As we marshalled for
races, you could see other auroras in opposition teams and everyone remaining
focused, there were milliseconds that would separate us.
Our last day of club racing was intense as our opens had
fallen just short of the final, in the 200m we made the mixed final, racing in
the top 6 teams of the country. A first ever mixed 20s final for komodo, they
cheered us in as it was only seconds between 1st and 6th
place. Feeling proud knowing that all that training had lead to being in the
top league and although not winning, the best performance we ever did was still
a high achievement. With so many races, the time between races are seen as long
as an hour so exploring the race course, seeing the promo items and catching up
with members from other clubs, if they weren’t racing too, spent the day full
of little moments.
The end of our club campaign was a huge success and as
everyone winded down, tired but still smiling, an end to all our hard work and
effort had payed off. Celebrations began and while everyone was reaching for Champaign
and beers, we three only had water as we had our Auroras day camp the next
morning.
Responsible enough to stay away from alcohol we arrived
bright and early the next day to spend with our auroras team mates, almost
everyone wearing the presented race jersey. Luckily enough, we had left over
food that just lasted us the rest of the day. Each time we got in the boat together,
the team felt more connected, a stronger bond as we raced up and down the
course. As the day went on, growing more as a team, we put in all our efforts
to show that we are the Australia Auroras, prove that we are the best the
country has to offer and to show to the world that we are the best. The day had
finished early as everyone had to catch their flights back home, but it wasn’t a
long goodbye and from that Monday, it was only one month until we would see
everyone again, this time in China!
We arrive home, exhausted, tired, sore and stiff but keen,
counting the days until we fly over and compete as one, the months that
everyone had put into training all for this. It wasn’t long now and after a
week of rest, we were ready to begin our training with just the auroras now. There
were 9 of us in the ACT; we had a long month ahead of training now to prepare
us.
