BOMBING WEEK - Royal New Zealand Air Force

Heading to the start block in Auckland.
the way we’d have liked for this level of competition.
There was a high proportion of new members this year, so naturally
everyone felt the nerves arriving in Wellington to gale force winds. A
hearty breakfast was prepared on race day to settle our stomachs and,
refreshed from an early night at the Olphert Navy Reserve building we
set out to take on the nation.
Following a brief calm patch in the horrendous storm from the night
before, winds picked up to 25 knots by mid afternoon developing a
1m swell in the harbour. To top it off, television helicopters launched
from the platform beside the start blocks to cover the Off-shore
Powerboat Series.
Unfortunately, even with CAF Air Vice Marshal John Hamilton and his
family in support and in spite of a huge effort from all involved, we didn’t
deliver the goods as we’d hoped.
The fi nal honours were taken by the Wellington City Council ‘Conquerors’
crossing the line ahead of a determined and powerful New Zealand Army
Team (only one second behind the leaders). Other competition of the day
came from the Department of Corrections team, “Screw Loose” who
were taken out of contention with a collision in the last round. In the
end the Air Force team had to be content with a third place in the petite
corporate fi nal.
At least the dip in the harbour calmed the nerves - we just do not fi nd
25-knot winds and 1m swells in the viaduct. That’s windy Wellington for
you I guess.
THE AUCKLAND REGIONAL REGATTA:
The following Saturday saw us return home for the Auckland regatta and
a chance at redemption.
For those of us who haven’t paddled before this was defi nitely a memorable
experience. As I’ve said, we had a lot to live up to given the immense
success of Air Force crews in the past. With a majority of us new to the
www.airforce.mil.nz
AFN69, APRIL 06
sport, we arrived back in Auckland with most of us having never won a
race and unsure of our own potential.
Taking out the fi rst couple of warm up races gave rise to a fundamental
change in the crews thinking and set us up well for the rest of the day.
Our technique was still messy, and much encouragement was needed
from our exasperated coach Ben Finau, but we fi nally hit our sweet spot
near the end of the day. Gradually the team gelled as we were fi lled
with newfound confi dence in ourselves, or more importantly, new found
confi dence in each other.
Gentle reminders of what was at stake from the old salts caused us to
all face in the same direction for the fi rst time this season and develop
a thirst for the win…
And win we did!
The tension, focus and anxiety in the boat prior to starting the fi nal race
could have been cut with a knife. Even the other boats (I’m sure), were
affected by us chomping at the bit to get out of the blocks.
The loss of the National title in Wellington was in the back of our minds
but was put aside for the moment as all any of us could think of was the
fi nish line.
I do not remember much of the 1min 20seconds of churning water, yelling
and reach calls, but I do remember that awesome feeling of winning. Our
muscles screamed for oxygen as we crossed the fi nish line ahead of the
four other boats, all less than 1second behind us in the Grand Final!
Too exhausted to speak we patted each other on the back and sat in
relative silence as it all soaked in – Auckland Regatta Champions 2004,
2005 and 2006!
This was my fi rst season paddling the Dragon Boat and I can honestly say
that from the second I stepped on board, I was hooked. If you are looking
for a physical, competitive sport and enjoy being on the water I urge you
to come along next year and get amongst it.
We have a National Title to retrieve in Christchurch.
FOR RNZAF DRAGON BOATERS
SEASON
OH 06-0112-27
LAC Chris Cooms Coomer high fi ves with
CPL John Hautler and LCPL Lladira Estay.
Etched for posterity on the winners
cup marks their 2004 victory.
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