By Vivian Medley and Kathy MacFarlane
On a cool, crisp fall day last October, the crew of Hamilton’s breast cancer survivor dragon boat team, Knot A Breast (KAB) spent the morning washing a season’s worth of dirt and grime off our 3 dragon boats. The freshly bathed boats were then lovingly swaddled in blue or black plastic tarps, securely tied with rope and the cocoon-like packages were lifted onto picnic tables to slumber the winter away on the grounds of Macassa Bay Yacht Club (MBYC). Five months later, 17 KAB members financed their own way to Florida to participate in a week-long dragon boat camp in Tarpon Springs. There’s nothing more exciting and motivating to an athlete than having the opportunity to jump-start the season by attending training camp. Two practices a day for five days provided an opportunity to practice technique, tweak some existing skills and work on endurance. Couple all that hard work with the thrill of paddling beside dolphins under sunny blue skies in warm temperatures and you’ve got the perfect tonic for a winter weary dragon boater.
Training ended April 12th and these paddlers are now chomping at the bit to launch the 2025 season! Thankfully, the countdown to lift-in of the KAB boats is quickly approaching. They’re slated to be awakened from their hibernation the week of May 4th and the first practice is scheduled for May 10th. That will be one glorious day and MBYC will once again be alive with all the activity and excited banter and laughter of the KAB crew, newbies and veterans alike! A big shout out to MBYC as KAB’s longest supporter. They very generously waive the docking fees for our 3 boats, provide meeting space for committee meetings and the all-important Annual General Meeting, provide access to washroom facilities, donated a clubhouse where KAB crew can change and store our seemingly endless amount of stuff (paddles, steering oars, life jackets, first aid supplies, trophies, etc.). MBYC members always greet us with a smile and genuinely inquire how our season and racing is going. They even proudly hung a banner on their club house that read “Where world class athletes come together to practice”! And the wafting smell of barbecue hamburgers and sausages and sautéed onions (!) after every Saturday practice is surely a show of love.
As a way to thank MBYC for all they do for us, and in the spirit of reciprocity, all KAB members purchase a Social Membership at MBYC along with their annual KAB membership. Who knew how wonderful the benefits of this would be to KAB? Post practice (or anytime, actually), one can sit outside on the 2nd floor balcony of MBYC and take in the view while enjoying a hard-earned beverage along with a snack. It’s one of the best views in Hamilton! If you’re lucky enough to know someone who holds a full membership at MBYC, you, too can be sponsored for a Social Membership. Check out membership details and benefits at mbyc-hamilton.org. And remember to check out our freshly updated website (knotabreast.com) and follow us on Facebook. We’re racing May 24 at Kelso Conservation and May 25 at Heart Lake. So, let’s get this season started! Paddles up, take it away!
