Aoraki Dragon Boat
Association (Inc)
Christchurch, NZ

Ko te kaupapa, ko te hoe...

new

Coming up...

This Saturday (10:00 am 12-May-12) some of Aoraki Board will be at Owles, and hopefully we will have a few helpful paddlers on hand to help us (eg Ian and some Beca folks). We will be hoisting the Champion boats off the trailers, and lay them out ready for Gel Coat repairs. If you can help, please email aoraki.dragons@gmail.com.

Next season's dates:

Aoraki announce the following [interim] dates for the Summer of 2012-13:

• "Ice Breaker" - at Lake Pegasus, Sunday 9-December-12.
• "Super 12" - venue and date to be confirmed, but probably a Sunday in late January 2013.
• "Aoraki Open" at Lake Pegasus, Sunday 24th February 2013.
• "South Island Champs" at Lake Hood, Saturday 9th March 2013.

The above are subject to lake bookings etc.

Recent events from last season:

Date	Event	Location
Sunday 26-Feb-12	“Aoraki Open” Regatta (previously known as the “Early Bird”)	Lake Pegasus
Saturday 10-March-12	“South Island Champs” (Schools and Adults on the same day) Results now out.	Lake Hood
Sunday 18-March-12	Match Racing - cancelled	Tbc
Sat 31-March-12	NZDBA Nationals. Adult plus Schools on one day this season.	Lake Hood

Highlights from previous seasons:

See season 2008-09 :: 2009-10 :: 2010-11 (last season) or a list of all past regatta.

Re-location...

The Christchurch earthquake on 4-Sept caused extensive damage to property in the region, rupturing 'services' including sewage systems, which contaminated our rivers. 'Authorities' removed the ban on activities on or in the Avon River and the Kaiapoi River. But the Earthquake of 22-Feb-11 means Avon River Training is cancelled until further notice. Boats have been at the alternative venue of Pegasus Lake, although there is also one (older) Boat at Kaiapoi.

Even if we go back to the Avon, remember that rain will flush that 'material' back into the rivers, and contamination may get into any cracks in the boats. Not to mention our paddlers.

Update on discharges at 16 May and again on 16th June 2011: "Avon/Ōtākaro and Heathcote/Opawaho rivers and the Avon-Heathcote Estuary/Ihutai – There are multiple direct discharges of raw sewage to the rivers and estuary". [ecan]

Note however that the Kaiapoi has apparently been declared safe (unless there is a reasonable amount of rainfall) so training can begn on there. Unfortunately there are none of the new Champion boats at Kaiapoi, but there is one of the old boats in a lockup compound. See Rick Smith or Marie Child for access.

Masters Games

Unfortunately we have had to withdraw Dragon Boating from this year's “NZ Masters Games” (originally scheduled for Fri 10, Sat 11-Feb-12 in Dunedin)

Get well soon Rick

Our thoughts go out to Rick Smith who is recovering from a fractured kneecap - ouch!

Kia kaha kia manawanui tu te tangata tinorangatiratanga.

if we stand together and unite, we can overcome our disasters.

Off season happenings:

Well we may not be paddling in the Winter months, but Aoraki Dragons do not hibernate. The board next met to talk about packing our gear down for the winter, and doing some maintenance on the boats.

We will also be working on a development strategy; how to grow the number of teams, provide the right number/type of events (regatta, training, open days etc) and think about the format of racing too. For example, are the 20-paddler boats the only option? Contact us (aoraki.dragons@gmail.com) if you have a view...

Results

See results of the Summer Sizzler Super 12 at Lake Pegasus

Local weather

Click for weather forecast

Recent Regatta

Sunday 29-Jan-12 was the Super 12 at Pegasus - see results

Sunday 4-Dec-11 was the Aoraki Ice Breaker - see Race Results.

AGM

Aoraki ran its third AGM 18-August-10. Click here for the annual report from the Chair.