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—
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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.