Aoraki Dragon Boat
Association (Inc)
Christchurch, NZ

High School Intoductory sessions

In October 2010, ex-paddler and coach Quincy Hamilton from Christchurch Boys High School organised for Boys High to bring about 260 boys racing in ten crews (form classes). Thirteen teachers supervise the teams, plus provide other logistics on site such as collating and posting results.

Aoraki hopes to make this a regular feature of our summer, and CBHS's year. We welcome enquiries from any other school interested in trialling the sport as part of their school year, particularly if it will help establish a School representative team.

The format is typically that the pupils are given instruction at the school, but when they arrive at the rave venue (typically Pegasus Lake) they are given a fulll safety briefing plus a reminder of techniques, start procedures etc.

Each team will probably have three preliminary heats (200m). The top 9 crews (on cummulative time) in the preliminary heats will progress to a seeded finals where the three fastest times on the clock will go on to a "Cup" final, 4/5/6 in the "Plate" final and 7/8/9 in the "Bowl".

Aoraki supplies the "Sweep" (helmsman).

The schedule is typically:

Aoraki welcome the opportunity to introduce newcomers to the sport. Schools and community groups often approach the association, to run a session of training, team building and racing for their group. Aoraki are keen to use this as an opportunity to introduce the Dragon Boating to people who want to try something new, fun and active. At the same time it is a chance for teams to attract new recruits.

Quincy Hamilton coached the Canterbury Dragons (CPC) and the St Bede's College crews from 2000 - 2007. He is a teacher at Christchurch Boys' High School .

Experienced Aoraki sweeps and paddlers are there to ensure we provide the students in the boat with tips and encouragement.