Pinnacle Dragon Boat Club team, competing at the Sydney International Regatta Centre at Penrith on Sunday had for the first time no less than six junior paddlers in the team.

It was the junior’s first major dragon boat regatta.

Yet another first was 16-year-old Jacob Wright becoming the club’s first level three sweep (steerer).

The dragon boat sweep, being responsible for the safety of all on board a dragon boat, is not a role to be taken lightly.

After months as a trainee sweep, Jacob began the process of accreditation in November, with written and practical testing by DBNSW’s leading sweep. Phase two, he successfully swept races without incident at Orange regatta.

The third and final stage on Sunday, at Penrith, sweeping under different conditions Jacob swept two races again without incident completing his elevation to level three sweep status.

This means Jacob is no longer restricted to sweeping at club training sessions and is qualified to sweep, without supervision, community sport, corporate and juniors teams at competition level.

Pinnacle Dragons Abreast president Mary said having Jacob accredited opens up opportunities for, not just Jacob, but for the club and other juniors interested in taking up dragon boating.

Mary stated the club will be running a dragon boating program specifically for juniors each Tuesday in January, 9am at Lake Canobolas. 

Places are limited, anyone interested should contact the club quickly on pinnacledragonsabreast@gmail.com or on 0400 640 342 to book a place.