Nipples on Ripples - Dragons Abreast

This is attention getting signage and we only needed to wait until Saturday morning for all to be revealed, so to speak.

We'd both been up quite early and were preparing to march into town. The Bloke as usual was feigning a protest that I was running another 'boot camp'. Then we noticed some ladies arriving in bright pink uniforms and preparing to do some dragon boat paddling. Wow, this must be the Nipples on Ripples crew! They were very friendly and responded positively to some photos. What a cheerful bunch with a fine sense of humour. Note to self: Get an email address and send them a photo. Action shots are not always easy to get.

The crew of Nipples on Ripples in training.

Coffee beckoned and we made our way into the Devonport town centre which we thought rather deserted for a Saturday. It took us so long to get there that the next person to enter Bella's (one of two coffee shops recommended by the Information Centre) happened to be one of the Nipples on Ripples crew members. The training session was 'done and dusted'! Being a 'sticky beak' I needed to know more about this Dragon Boat team. What we discovered is that this crew is so much more than a bunch of gals will a sense of humour! 

Dragons Abreast Australia is a national organisation of breast cancer survivors and supporters. Not only does this organisation raise breast cancer awareness but it also creates a support group network in a fun environment and promotes physical activity that is beneficial in recovery.

Thanks Gals! Hope the regatta is a massive success.

The crew meet regularly at Bella's after training and when we were leaving we noticed that Bella's is actually a sponsor. The ladies were meeting to further the preparations for a national Dragons Abreast regatta being held on Lake Barrington. This stuck a chord with me. 

Lake Barrington is the 'new' location for rowing regattas. Not new in the true sense because it's been in use as an international and national rowing venue for some 30 years, but new for me. My last and only other visit to Tasmania was to participate in the 1978 interstate rowing regatta on the Huon River, the last time it was held there before the creation of the world class facility at Lake Barrington. The  following year Tracey O'Shaughnessy joined the WA State Lightweight crew and became a very successful West Australian oarswoman for some years and later a rowing coach. Tragically, Tracey passed away from breast cancer. I'm not sure that she even got to 40 years of age. The memory of this all hit me like a thunderbolt.

On the upside, this group of Gals are survivors and doing something overwhelmingly positive. Ladies, we salute your crew, your regatta and your cause..... GO the 'Nipples on Ripples'!