Gaelics on Tour: Malacca and Putrajaya, May 30 to June 1, 2014

Malaysia International Dragon Boat Championship & IDBF Cancer Survivors Championship

Last weekend saw the Gaelic Dragons embark on their first international dragonboating tour to Malaysia. Not only was this an amazing experience and a successful trip for the medals that were won, but it provided a wonderful bonding opportunity for the team!

It all began innocently enough at Kallang on Friday night when we boarded our coach for the long journey ahead of us. Bags and bodies were loaded and of course, the obligatory eskies full of beer. After all, what would a trip with the Gaelics be without a tipple or two?

Off we headed up north. After a slight delay at the border, we continued our journey, arriving in Malacca in the early hours of the morning. Most headed straight to bed to catch at least 3 hours of sleep before roll call, while others headed for a bite to eat.

After a 6.30am wakeup call (what happened to the extra 15 minutes of sleep?) the bus was loaded and the team headed to the river in Malacca for the first day of racing in a 250m event. All crews, mixed women and open, took first place in their heat. Straight to the semi finals! Then a final berth for most. In a very strong race, the mixed crew came in a respectable fourth place, while the girls took out third. The Gaelics’ first medal in an international competition!

After celebratory drinks (some enterprising Gaelics finally managed to find a shop selling beer!), a (long) wait for the presentation ceremony where the girls collected their trophy and bronze medals, tired bodies were finally dragged onto the bus for the trip to KL.

Another couple of hours sleep and breakfast, then onto the bus again to head to the race site in Putrajaya for the 500m event. Another incredible day with most crews reaching the finals and the mixed 12 crew coming in second! Another medal! After collecting their silver medals, the team headed to the bus for the long journey home, all reveling in the success of the weekend.

Not only was the trip a success due to the medals brought home, but it provided an incredible bonding experience that will never be forgotten. Sure, it involved long bus journeys, tired bodies dragging themselves to work on Monday and not to mention, stolen passports! But every Gaelic who went on tour came back with shouts of “when’s the next tour?”.

With all the support for those who were sick, stranded at the border, and in getting the tour off the ground, it was proved yet again that the Gaelic Dragons are not just a team, but are a family. I, for one, am proud to call myself a Gaelic Dragon.

Paddles up! Kick arse! Go Gaelics!

 For a snapshot of the weekend, check out these clips (with thanks to Ramon Madera and Richard Magpantay).

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1ytbj0_gaelicsontour-malacca-kl_sport

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1yudt1_gd-ladies_sport

Thanks once again to Samuel Kolehmainen for the photos.