The excitement of winter paddling!

MWPC 2011 Racing Season and recap

Mighty Women celebrate a successful winter and welcome the racing season!

By DeAnn Sullivan

MWPC newsletter May 2011

Sun sighted in Portland by dragonboaters.

It's official! Mighty Women Paddling Club (MWPC) saw the sun once last week! And I'm happy to say the daylight is lingering so we can see where we're going during evening practice. That also means we can catch a glimpse of the osprey nest high above the western riverbank ( with doting parents and fluffy offspring) - but only when Coach Jeannie says, Let it run!. We paddle silently past Mom and Dad Canadian Geese shooing their little ones. During the salmon runs, MWPC sees fishermen on aluminum fishing boats and the occasional seal vying for the same fishy meal. And - ever the river stewards - we have managed to pick up unique objects floating down the river (rolling pin, anyone?). Many MWPC paddlers toughed it out twice a week during the winter paddling season. And we welcomed spring with three practices a week. Rubber galoshes and waterproof gear is slowly getting replaced by river sandals and shorts – but only by the optimists on the boat. And it is getting easier to recognize one another without all the layered hats, scarves and clothing.

Coach Jeanie is making a great recovery from February injuries incurred while helping to guide a 6-person outrigger canoe to the proper position at the dock. Rumor was, she lost her balance at the dock's edge and chose NOT to jump/fall into the 40-degree water - instead, choosing to jump/fall into the outrigger. Or could it be that Jeanie (once a gymnast... always a gymnast) was demonstrating a difficult landing from a balance beam....and it went awry? Anyway, physical therapists are in awe of her single-minded dedication to a speedy recovery. She barely missed a practice. And, MWPC noticed that her coaching voice was not affected in the least.

We see you! Put down those donuts and get off the couch! MWPC chose not to race in Tacoma in May due to injuries. However, we have races looming in the not-so-distant future - Salem, OR in June; Kent, WA in July; Victoria, B.C. in August; and Portland in Sept. So, I encourage you to put down that snack and get serious! The hour you spend on the dragonboat will probably be the best hour of your day - with serious focus, you will forget about job stresses, traffic tie-ups, bill clutter and surly (insert word here...children, bosses, pets, in-laws) ______. It is a great way to get in shape! And with Coach Jeanie's help, it's like having your own personal trainer...especially if you catch her eye - and do not straighten your inside elbow, or stay in time. Plus, for at least an hour, you will not be able to go GET donuts, and you won't even be able to THINK about donuts. Our first race is right around the corner. I think I see the glint of medals in our future!

Paddles up!

For more information, email:
mwpaddling@yahoo.com