News

Forget Super Tuesday – today was Super Wednesday for the Plurabelle Paddlers!

Two teams competed at the EDBF European Club Crew Championship in Ravenna and both teams won medals at the 2000-metre distance. Yes, that’s 2km!

The 10-man boat secured GOLD in a closely fought BCS category and there was BRONZE in the Women Senior B category (standard boat).

There’s only a brief recovery time for the team before tomorrow’s Women Senior B (standard boat) competition at 200 metres. With three races to compete in, it’ll be a tough day . . . but, in case you haven’t noticed already, the Plurabelle Paddlers are tough women!

If you’d like to follow the action, the races are being streamed live and Plurabelle Paddlers will compete in the following races:

Race 32 @08.56 (Italian local time)

Race 40 @10.06 (Italian local time)

Race 47 @11.09 (Italian local time)

So, why not tune in and support the team (from your sofa … ssh, don’t tell the coach!)

It’s no exaggeration to say that this year’s Donegal Regatta was extremely challenging, both for the organisers and for the Plurabelles. But dragons aren’t easily defeated! Despite the Regatta being postponed by a day due to high winds, it went ahead the next day and was a terrific success.

The Plurabelles who could stay the extra day and compete in the event joined paddlers from Canada and Donegal in the Khalessi composite team – the silver-medal-winning composite team! Yes, Khalessi came second in the Minor final (between Donegal Dragons Inspire and West Island Dragons from Canada). In the Major final, Belfast Phoenix came first, Dublin Vikings second and Donegal Dolphins third.

As these photos so clearly show, we had a great time. The fancy dress theme was Superheroes – and there were plenty on display over the weekend . . . superheroes don’t always wear capes, some of the time they wear training tops!

Early on 11 June 38 Plurabelles and their supporters left Dublin to travel the 84 km to Carlow to compete at the Barrow Regatta. The club entered two teams in the Women’s category – the Plurabelles and the Purebelles. The Plurabelles reached the grand final and finished third behind Carlow Dragons, who beat KACC in a photo finish. Although the Plurabelles are focused and committed when racing, the Regatta was also an opportunity to enjoy a day out with teammates, family and friends. Thank you to the IDBA and well done to all our fellow competitors.

In the past, it has witnessed athletes strive for Olympic Gold, but this May the magnificent Canal Olímpic de Catalunya welcomed the Plurabelle Paddlers (along with 63 other teams) for the 4th Barcelona Regatta.

The Plurabelle Paddlers joined 1,323 paddlers from 17 nationalities competing at the regatta. Despite some very stiff competition, the Plurabelle Paddlers finished second in the Minor BCS Final and the club also secured a fourth place in the Senior Women’s Open 200m competition. Terrific job, ladies!

There was great support and camaraderie between the three Irish teams at the Regatta – Lagan Dragons, Suir Dragon Paddlers and us. Though the cheering didn’t extend to the other Irish teams when they were racing against the Plurabelle Paddlers – it is a competition, after all!

A huge thank you to James and Dragonboat Emotions and to all our fellow paddlers at the Regatta. We had a wonderful time!

The Plurabelle Paddlers travelled to the beautiful Co. Kildare town of Athy for the club’s first race of the season: the Athy Regatta. The Plurabelles had two teams in the regatta – the Plurabelle Paddlers came fourth in a competitive women’s category, with the Purebelles securing silver (behind Carlow Dragons in a closely fought final).

The Athy Regatta was a wonderful opportunity for Plurabelles to meet old paddling friends and to make many new ones. Yes, there was fierce competition, but there was also lots of fun and laughter too. It was great to see and paddle against the other Dragon Boat teams. Thanks to the IDBA for another terrific regatta.