As the largest Dragon Boat club in the Wellington region, we have more than one team so you can find a place to fit no matter your fitness level or age.
Our club is made up of people from all over and from all age groups, in 2016 we had 3 teams paddling Green Machine in the Open (mixed) division, Hutt Valley Heat in the Women’s division and the Silver Dragons in the Masters (40+) divisions.
VDC members also act as coaches, sweeps, or provide general support and advise for teams that are not in the club.
The Teams
Silver Dragons (mixed, masters)
This team consists of paddlers of 50 years and over (half are 60+) The Silver Dragons team is the first Grand Dragons team in Wellington and New Zealand and competed internationally In Australia in 2013.
Training: Thursdays
Coach: Mark
Manager: Trevor Vickers
Hutt Valley Heat (womens)
This team is open to women of any age and paddling experience. Hutt Valley Heat won the Gold Medal at the 2016 Wellington International Dragonboat Festival and the Silver in 2017. They also competed for internationally in Bali in 2017 and came home with a Bronze.
Training: Tuesdays
Coach: David Lundon
Manager: Georgina Garrett
Green Machine (mixed)
This VDC Mixed Team is for all paddlers male or female. It’s a strong team that has been going for a few years now. One of the hardest divisions is the mixed open division and Green Machine rise to the challenge.
Training: Wednesdays
Coach: Eugene Metreveli
Manager: Elizabeth Claridge
Force
(mixed)
This new VDC Mixed Team is for all paddlers male or female. It’s a new team that has 1 season under it’s belt.
Training: Mondays 6-7pm
Coach: Jacob de Feijter
Manager: Hugh McCormack
The People
Rachel Calvert
Club President and Paddler
Kathryn Park
Club Secretary, Nationals Manger and Paddler
Kathryn has been paddling for many years and joined VDC 2 seasons ago.
David Lundon
Sweep, Coach and Paddler
Dave started paddling as a stroke in the mid 90’s then took up sweeping when he realised it is easier to yell at paddlers instead of paddling yourself. Dave has swept at the 2007 World Championships. He has also steered UHC and several corporate teams safely across the finish line in Wellington and at National championships.
Jacob de Feijter
Sweep, Coach, and Paddler
Jacob’s first dragon boating race was in 1989 in Singapore. Over the last 20 years, he coached many teams including schools, corporate, and BreastCancer Survivors teams. His crews have achieved more than 100 podium finishes in local, national, and international event. Jacob also paddles with VDC but finds it hard to keep his mouth shut and not give instructions to the coach or sweep! Besides being active in VDC, Jacob is also Development Director on the New Zealand Dragon Boat Association and on the Central Region Dragon Boat Association Committee where he focuses on growing dragon boating in the region.
Calum Bennachie
Sweep and super awesome
Calum has many years experience, sweeping for a variety of teams. Easily spotted on the water, you can hear him barking his commands from miles away!
Kristin Cains
Fundraising & Sponsorship and Paddler
