By Debby Rieck (originally published in the IBDPC Newsletter in December, 2019)
KC Pink Warriors moved like a speed boat from a passionate vision in 2018 to a tangible reality in 2019 through our founder Michelle Steger. Shortly after treatment in 2017, she was introduced to dragon-boating by the Pink Dragon Ladies in Tampa, FL. By July 2018, she was in Italy competing in the IBCPC Participatory Dragon Boat Festival with Warriors On Water from Orlando, FL. Bitten by the dragon, she knew this was something she wanted to continue after moving back to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Encouraged by her sisterhood of paddlers, she pressed forward with the mission of creating the FIRST competitive dragon boat team in Kansas and Missouri.
The very first team practice was held on April 6, 2019, we sat on wooden crates and “paddled” with yardsticks, earning the nickname “curbside paddlers”. Each Saturday morning, we eagerly gathered at the gym learning about the A-frame position, terminology and working in sync. Every workout brought us closer to our goal and each other as we cheered and encouraged one another on.
In just 6 short months we accomplished amazing things as a brand-new team. After two months of dry-paddling, we competed as a team at the Kansas City International Dragon Boat Festival in June 2019. It was a learning experience to say the least! In mid-July, a small group of paddlers teamed up with Fighting Angels Abreast (Fort Dodge, IA) to compete at the Lake Andrea Dragon Boat Festival (WI). In early August, we earned a silver medal (BCS) at the Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash (Fort Dodge, IA). We teamed up once again with the Fighting Angels Abreast and took home the GOLD medal (BCS) in the Taiwan-style races at the Dubuque Dragon Boat Festival in September.
Racing aside, we were finally able to ditch the yard sticks in July with the help of Tom & Linda Donner and Barb Michaels from the BLDBA (in Fort Dodge, IA). They graciously loaned us a boat to use indefinitely. “Big Orange” was the perfect practice boat, bravely standing up to any wake thrown its way. We will forever be grateful for our time in the big orange boat! As we sadly said goodbye to “Big Orange”, we rejoiced at the purchase of our very own dragon boat. Thanks to the team’s fundraising efforts and generous donations from friends, family and supportive community members, we were able to purchase a dragon boat quickly. PanAm Dragon Boat will deck her out in our team colors and lights prior to bringing her home to Wyandotte County Park Lake in Kansas City, KS next Spring.
“How to Train Your Dragon Warriors,” that’s the job of our coach, Shelley Shackelford. She has lead us through various workouts, drills, and practices this summer, as we strive for endurance and unity in our stroke. Our first winter as a team will return us to training on dry land as we work on the best way to remain strong and prepared for 2020. What’s next for the KC Pinks? Just watch and see because we’re here to stay. The dragon has awakened in Kansas City!
