Dragon rowers show their steel

ROWING TOGETHER: The Cancer Society Wairarapa Dragon Boat Club have paddled their way to a string of successes, including winning silver at the national championship in Auckland.

The Cancer Society Wairarapa Dragon Boat Club have once again proven their indomitable spirit, paddling their way to success in three consecutive regattas last month.

The club took out the Australasia Cup and a gold in the Wellington event and followed up with two silvers and one bronze at regionals in Auckland.

The club, which has a women's and a mixed team, then went on to claim a silver and two bronzes at the national championship in Takapuna.

Club coach Ivan Karaitiana said the teams were very pleased with their results in the three regattas.

"It was pretty good. We've lost a few paddlers over the last 12 months so we are just in rebuilding stage at the moment."

The sport was evolving and becoming more demanding, with some races now having only 10 people in the boat, rather than 22.

What made their achievements even more impressive was that they were often competing against much younger teams, he said.

"It's always been the focus for us to get health and well-being first and the competition usually comes out of that."

Club chairwoman Kay Wilton, who has been paddling for the team since its conception six years ago, said with paddlers aged between about 32 and 68, the club had shown they could hold their own against their younger competitors.

She credited Mr Karaitiana with leading the club to success again this year.

"If we didn't have his skills, we wouldn't be up to the level we are today."

The club, which has 30 members, is eager to recruit new paddlers and welcomes newcomers of both genders.

The club is having a one month break, with training due to resume in late April/early May.