A Lions Dragonboat at Marble Lake Awaits You
Let us start with a quote often attributed to G.K. Chesterton: "Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten."
Did you happen to spot a dragon lately? Probably not! But you might have spotted a Dragonboat with motivated paddlers at Marble Lake.
The story.
The Wellington Lions Club had a well-known, semi-pro team of Dragonboat paddlers and they trained and competed in races for years. And, like all great things in life, there came a day when the Dragonboat paddlers needed to rest and pass on their boat, paddles and vests to the next group.
In another part of the world, in a far away country, another team paddled in a red Dragon Boat. And with time, one of their paddlers moved away, and ended up in the beautiful Cloyne, North Frontenac.
And in our own backyard a third story. Jill McCreary paddled for years as part of the Belleville Dragonboat Club, then moved to Pickering Dragonboat Club. In the Category of Senior C (59+) in 2022, she received two Gold and two Bronze for Canadian Championships.
Three stories seemingly unrelated, yet, like stories often tend to do, they converged.
Mike Hage, Lion member of the Lions Club of Land O’ Lakes, missed his days of paddling, and tried, over time to find a boat and form a team in Cloyne. And one day, out of a light chat with fellow Lions of Wellington, a Dragonboat found a new home in Cloyne, on Marble Lake. The very first Facebook post was read by Jill, and she immediately connected with Mike, joined; and together with Mike became the trainers.
The Dream.
"Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten."
To beat the Dragons. To compete. To train. To form the team.
The Call For A Team.
The Dragonboat was gifted to the Lions, and the Lions want to share it with everyone in the community. We want to form a team or possibly several teams. We want to have fun in building the spirit of the teams. We want to paddle together on our beautiful lakes and in the process, maybe, even compete in races against the other dragons on our lakes. What we have here, at Land O’ Lakes, is unique. We have a community of people that understand one another. We know our limitations, our energies, our capabilities. We understand our lakes, our nature, our summers, our winters, even our bugs. Building a team, right here, is just a matter of taking that first step in deciding to join.
And, as we expected, a first team is starting to build up. One new person at a time.
The Team Supporters.
As soon as the first announcement came up, some people joined to support by taking pictures, cheering from the shoreline and staying afterwards for a chat. One supporter became part of the team in a remarkable way.
Steve, a volunteer firefighter brings his boat from Flinton every time and rides alongside the dragons to make sure they are safe and to offer any assistance should need arise. Of course, from a vintage point across the lake and riding by the team, the pictures he takes are one of a kind, every photo a work of art. Nature surrounding a team with a dream.
The Training.
Paddle training is about trusting the team and working together. It is a concerted effort of up to twenty people per ride. Every two paddlers sit next to each other in a total of 9 rows. A steerer sits at the rear-end of the boat, and a drummer or rhythm-keeper sits at the front. Everyone paddles in unison while maintaining a rocking body rhythm that propels the boat further. A paddler does not watch their own paddle, but that of their bench mate. A routine of trust and friendship builds within the boat.
The People.
Lion members were joined on the very first day by a Dragonboat race winner who lives right here in our area. From there on others joined, members of the Garden Club, residents of Lakes Kash, Skoot, Mississagagon, Georgia; residents of Cloyne, Northbrook and Flinton; as well as people visiting the area for a day or two. Ages of those who tried range from 24 to 88 years of age. Some became regulars, some tried it for once, and some step in when time allows. But what is certain is that every person who tried it enjoyed the experience, and many stayed afterwards for a chat. Friendships built, and that is a pillar to the formation of the teams.
The Team Call.
As paddlers get off the boat, they join in a circle, arms stretched inside, and they call on three: Land O’ Lakes. The end of a training.
Let the Team Shout of “Land O’ Lakes” be your call to join. Try the training once, see if your heart is in it, find out if you like the team spirit developed everyday. Then take you decision to stay, and maybe one day you can be part of beating the dragons of Ontario.
Training is Wednesday at 8am, and Sunday at 6pm. To join contact Mike at 7783843381 or through email at [email protected] or the Lions at [email protected]. Paddles and safety vest will be provided to all
