I love this view!
I can’t believe it but I got involved with dragon boats while in Cape Town. All thanks to Paola on SV Ostrika who had met Sophie in the bathroom (LOL). Paola told me about it and the rest is history…I might of found my new hobby!!!
According to Wikipedia, dragon boat racing is a canoe-sport, and began as a modern international sport in Hong Kong in 1976…yup that’s my birth year and the year of the dragon…a perfect fit for me!
Here in Cape Town, there are many dragon boat clubs, many who moor their boats at the V&A marina where we are currently. I am told they use to have proper races but unfortunately politics over the sport has taken it down to just practice paddles with a friendly “race” with other clubs out practicing that day.
We won that day…what a feeling!
The Paddlesnapper team totally welcomed us into their worlds and we became quick friends. Almost every Saturday morning I would arrive (possibly smelling of last nights vintage) yet still I was greeted with huge smiles and a warm hug. Knowing nothing about the sport or the different strokes, they slowly taught us all while being accidentally splashed, hit in the elbow with paddles, and me swearing like the sailor I am!
Each day we would do different stroke patterns including pairs, resistance, different start strategies, and my personal NOT favorite…singles. Singles is where the whole boat paddles but one by one each person has to paddle by them selves for at least 10 rows….they learned my true colors just after singles happened! Let me just say after the very first Saturday paddle, I could not lift my arms over my head for 2 days…Trevor had to help me dress…seriously!
Coming in after our Saturday paddle. The other dragon boats are moored along side the marina inner dock. Not even a 2 minute commute for us….even better!
The gifts started early: We received a 2020 calendar featuring photos of the team, lots of home baked local goodies to try…really overwhelming to accept these gifts while I felt like I was making their lives miserable (LOL).
It has been such a learning experience (and a full body work out) being apart of this untied and charitable club. But it was time to say goodbye as we start to gear up to leave South Africa. Paola organized coffee and pastries on SV Ostrika as a parting THANK YOU to the crew on our last Saturday paddle. However, we were in for a big surprise!
Sophie, a friend and a fellow Paddlesnapper, gifted us with RobRocks Memory rocks for Robert McEwan cleverly named “Snappy 1” and “Snappy 2”. Snappy 1 is with Paola and Snappy 2 has found a nice home on Slow Flight. In memory of Rob McEwan, who died at the age of 26 from Hogkin’s Lymphoma, his sister Terry hand paints Rob’s favorite animated characters (the Minions) on rocks to travel the world. All Terry asks is a photo posted to Rob Rocks Facebook page of all the different locations our Rob Rocks travels to. All proceeds go to the Sunflower Fund who’s primary objective is to fight blood disease.
We were blown way by this gift and honored to be a part of the Terry’s dream to take RobRocks all over the world…I wish I would of had this little guy 4 years earlier…bit it’s never too late to start now.
Thank you to the Cape Town Paddlesnappers Dragon Boat club who endured me for almost a month and half….your generosity of time and energy will not be forgotten and believe me…we will pay it forward!
The “Snappers” on SV Ostrika. These people are my people!!!!
Next Up: Gearing up to cross yet another Ocean – The Southern Atlantic: Boat projects, chores, and provisions…
Kimi..it was an absoloute pleasure having you join us, and both you and Paola will be sorely missed
Be sure to keep in touch with us all, We will definatley be following your journey and stories.
We look forward to seeing ‘Snappy 2’s pictures too as he joins you in your adventures
Spread the word about the awesomeness of Dragonboating, and I hope you find other teams to paddle with …you started with the best though…so go easy on them 😉
If you put down some roots…why not start a team of your own..YEY! (with snappy as your mascot..obviously)
Go well…big hugs
Sophie xxx