This is a day for all those who have ever thought about trying dragon boating, but aren't quite sure how to go about it. SADA is holding a 'Come & Try' event on the 8th of November at 11am at the Aquatic Centre (look out for the boat sheds, South side of Bower Road at the head of the lakes).

The event is open to all-comers, aged from 16 to 60 (plus!). It is a great opportunity to have a go at paddling in a friendly environment without any pressure. There will be plenty of support on hand, paddles and lifejackets will be provided, and a BBQ afterwards to celebrate your first paddle! Laughter is mandatory!

Dress comfortably: sunsafe hat, t-shirt, shorts, sunglasses, comfortable shoes or sandals that you don't mind getting wet (Crocs are great, or boat shoes), and a water bottle. Sunscreen is a must, and probably a change of clothes and a towel (swimming is unlikely, but splashing is par for the course!). 

If you have any questions, or want to confirm attendance, please contact Dave, Club Secretary (tel:0439844106 or [email protected]). Or just show up on the day - there will be plenty of boats and paddles available!

See you on the water!

Another great SADA team event; a treasure hunt through the hills ending up in picturesque Hahndorf, followed by a convoy through Tailem Bend and beyond to a fantastic bush camping site owned by one of the team.

Travelling to the site down a sandy track proved eventful, with at least 1 SADA team member needing a friendly rescue by tractor. Eventually we all arrived and the SADA 'village' was soon in place, complete with a camper, several caravans, assorted tents and even a swag or two!

Within minutes dozens of camp chairs had staked their claim at the edge of the campfire and a night of eating, drinking and laughing ensued! A few sore heads at breakfast the next morning, but a campfire-cooked breakfast with all the trimmings soon sorted that out! This could be come a regular SADA event!

This is an event for all those who have ever thought about trying dragon boating, but aren't quite sure how to go about it. SADA is holding a 'Come & Try' event on the 4th of May at 11am at the Aquatic Centre (look out for the boat sheds, South side of Bower Road at the head of the lakes).

The event is open to all-comers, aged from 16 to 60 (plus!). It will be a great opportunity to have a go at paddling in a friendly environment without pressure. There will be plenty of support on hand, paddles and lifejackets will be provided, and a BBQ afterwards to celebrate your first paddle! Laughter will be mandatory!

Dress comfortably: sunsafe hat, t-shirt, shorts, sunglasses, comfortable shoes or sandals that you don't mind getting wet (Crocs are great, or boat shoes), and a water bottle. Sunscreen is a must, and probably a change of clothes and a towel (swimming is unlikely, but splashing is par for the course!).

If you have any questions, or want to confirm attendance, please contact Dave, club secretary(tel:0439844106 or [email protected]). Or just show up on the day - there will be plenty of boats and paddles available. 

Another fun and fantastic DBSA regatta at West Lakes in Adelaide, and another well-deserved win for the SADA Grand Masters! Go team! During a competitive day of 200 metre 10s racing, SADA posted fantastic times, and we were at or very near the front of the pack throughout! 

Despite the high humidity and temperature, we stayed cool throughout, largely due to the very welcome eskee of icey pops generously provided by Nancy. Thanks Nancy!

Our new logoed sails soared 5 metres above the ground, letting everyone know that team SADA had arrived! Well done to team secretary and all-round good guy Dave for getting them organised!

States are on the way soon so stay tuned for more fantastic SADA results, and just behind that are the Nationals in Penrith of course, so there is lots more racing to come.

The Peter Bristow 'Round the Island' Race was, as in previous years, a great test of team fitness. In spite of high winds and rough seas, SADA managed to achieve the same time as last years event, which was raced on calm waters. With team coach Jan 'the Genie' and Pete 'the pistol' as lead strokes, and Dena 'the Diva' as sweep, we kept up an impressive pace, finishing with a sprint after 7.5 Kms of paddling! Well done team!

SADA is off to a roaring start in the new season, with victories in Wallaroo and an intense training schedule ramped up to 3 days a week. The Peter Bristow Memorial Round-The-Island race is just around the corner and the club is keen to make a good showing.

Our female contingent is strong and ready for another great medal haul this season, but we could do with a few more men in the Masters (40+) and Grand Masters (50+) categories to fill the 'engine room'. If you have a husband, father, brother, boyfriend etc, who needs a bit more fun and exercise in his life, drag him down to the lakes on a Saturday morning!