Aoraki Dragon Boat
Association (Inc)
Christchurch, NZ

Team Profile:

Evacut Express - Patience and Nicholson

An iconic team in Canterbury dragon boating is the Evacut crew from North Canterbury.

Aoraki Board member Rick Smith is a key driver for the sport in this area. Rick is Operations Manager at the huge Patience and Nicholson tool-making plant in Kaiapoi. P&N employees make up the core of an enthusiastic crew of paddlers.

Evacut had been struggling for paddlers at the start of the 2009-10 season, and there was some doubt about whether they would be able to field a team. In January 2010 Rick placed an ad for paddlers in the Northern Outlook - he had an overwhelming response from the women of North Canterbury. He soon had nearly 40 on the team list, including 24 females! And the ad was still due to run for another two editions!

Rick has a plan to establish a dragon boat club in Kaiapoi so this gives him a very good base to work from.  And having a local training base will also help.

Key Team players:

• Rick Smith (sweep and coach)

Other teams:

• Abreast of Life
• Airways Paddlateers
• Canterbury Paddling Club (CPC)
• Evacut Express
• Fei Long TNG
• Ridge Riders U23
• Tu Meke Dragons
• Hillmorton High
• Christchurch Girls High
• St Margaret’s College
• Avonside Girls