Alberta South Zone Dragon Boat Team

Submitted by Todd Crosby
 

Once again this summer members of the Alberta South Zone had the opportunity to participate in the Annual Dragon Boat Races in Calgary.  The sun was out in its glory all weekend and our team represented Progress with great vigour.  We like to say that we were first in our lane for all the races.  We managed to beat our times from last year and showed well in all races.

We participated in the Progress Cup race again.  There was a strong contingent of teams for this race and this is becoming a “Must Do” event for non-profit groups to enter.  As with our first year the goal of participating in this event was to raise the profile of The Canadian Progress Club in the Calgary area.  We were extremely successful in doing so once again.  The Progress name was front and centre all weekend to the other 400 participants and thousands of spectators.  As an added bonus, we were able to make contact with some excellent potential sponsors for our other Progress events in Calgary.

The Bow River Boys, the Downtown guys and the gals from City Centre jumped at the opportunity to paddle and financially support the team.  As well, Penny O’Rourke from Vancouver came out and was a welcome addition.  We had 21 paddlers this year as well as a steersman and drummer.

In closing, I would like to thank all of our paddlers:  Karen Politsky, Trevor Schulz, James Savage, Bruce Lyle–steersman, Fraser Kyle, Mike Hayduk, Janet Miller, Michelle Roussin, Todd Crosby, Linett Lawlor, Linda Auger, Roma Pinnell, Blair Shimbashi, Mark Mikkelson, Barb Mallory, Bryan MacDonald, Gary Gwartney, Bev Matthews, Kate Pierini, Chris Himmelman and Michelle Kotylak–drummer.  Thanks as well to Karen Politsky for organizing practices, getting our coach, getting our vests and making us the best looking team both on and off the water, and to Darrel Williamson and Gary Gross who helped as our Manager and team photographer.

Mark Mikkelson from the Downtown club has volunteered to organize us for next year and we all look forward to paddling our way to victory and again showing what Progress is all about in Calgary.