Pickleball Magazine 3-5 WD | Page 66

REGIONAL matters Off the Courts and INTO THE WATER I BY VALERIE HALL n July, a unique group of pickleballers in Canton, OH, formed a team of dragon boat paddlers for the International 501(c)(3) Charity of Breast Cancer Survivors! They call themselves the Pickleball Dragons and, for the third consecutive year, the team participated in the Dragons on the Lake Festival at Portage Lakes near Akron, OH. Captain Dave Bowser, who has been playing pickleball for more than five years, leads the community team. The rhythm of the paddle strokes is kept by 86-year-old, Hall of Fame Senior Olympian, USAPA Ambassador, Leurene Hildenbrand, who was decked out in pickleballs and regal costume wear. The players look forward to a day of team spirit, friendly competition— and a terrific potluck luncheon. You’ll even see a little dinking on the beach between heats to promote pickleball to curious onlookers. Last year, the Pickleball Dragons took home two awards for Largest Fund Raising and Best Spirit! The Dragons on the Lake Festival is organized by the Dragon Dream Team in Akron—made up of more than 150 breast cancer survivors— 64 TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 888.308.3720 OR GO TO THEPICKLEBALLMAG.COM who compete internationally in dragon boat races. Most recently, they placed third in the world in Italy and first in the U.S. It’s been found that paddling reduces the swelling called lymphedema that breast cancer victims often suffer from, and it gives women something positive to do during treatment. Through their Boatloads of Hope program, which is supported by the dragon boat races, the Dragon Dream Team reaches out to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients to give support as well as a beautiful embroidered silk pashmina for hope. Dragon boat racing has ancient Chinese origins and is the fastest growing water sport in the world. It’s not rare to find an event to observe or form a team and participate. Paddling a dragon boat is not difficult and the key to success is the team’s ability to synchronize their strokes to move the boat forward. Similar to pickleball, even a group of seniors can do a great job! The race is 250 meters long for each heat and the team follows the commands of the steersperson such as, “Paddles up!”, “Take it away!” and “Let it ride!” You can find the Dragon Dream Team on Facebook with more details about them and the Annual Dragons on the Lake Festival. Continued on page 66 > The Pickleball Dragons Team members include Captain Dave Bowser, Drummer Leurene Hildenbrand, Paddlers Sara Brown, Jan Carlson, Chuck Collins, Carolyn Graber, Valerie Hall, Steve and Vicki Hopkins, Robert Keith, Tom Lee, Mike Marzec, Kathy McConnell, Dana Miday, Mary Moriarity, John Neff, Brian Suarez, Susan Rice, Ron Taggart, Rob Vogliano, Don Wiper and alternates Shelly Frew and Ken Hlavac.