This was the result of a lot of hard work, including participating in courses and workshops run by the Australian Dragon Boat Federation, according to Bathurst Pan Dragons media officer Laurence Outim.

“Deb had to travel to Port Macquarie for six days for training and is now one of 21 Level 2 dragon boat coaches in NSW,” he said.

“The Pan Dragons consider themselves very lucky to have such a great coach and are very proud of her achievement.”

Mr Outim said Ms Clarke has also been the coach for the Western Region Squad, which is made up of paddlers from the Central West clubs of Lithgow, Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo, Forbes and Wagga Wagga.

“The squad will be competing at the Nationals in March at the Sunshine Coast, Queensland,” he said. 

The Pan Dragons train at Chifley Dam.

“Men, women and kids over the age of 12 can all do dragon boating, which makes it a great family activity,” Mr Outim said.

“More information is available at www.bathurstpandragons.org or like us on Facebook at facebook.com/BathurstDragonBoatClub.”

The Bathurst Pan Dragons club has been around since 2011 and has, in the past, paddled at Hawaii; Wellington, New Zealand; Hobart; the Hawkesbury and Kununurra in Western Australia’s remote Kimberley region.

While some paddlers choose to compete in events, other members just come along to paddle socially and get some exercise.