Look to the Manning River in Taree on Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday and if you spot a dragon boat it’s possible you will see Tara Yea standing as sweep.
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The 18-year-old is a proud Manning River Dragons member and recently celebrated her accreditation as a sweep – a goal a few years in the making.
Twenty hours of training on the water with a fully-qualified sweep, tests and participation in four regatta races is how Tara recently became the club’s youngest sweep.
Tara says the role of the sweep is to control the boat, its direction, to ensure everyone in the boat is aware of the buddy system that is applied if the boat capsizes and to ensure the boat is safely returned to shore.
Her achievement comes after two years paddling with club members that she describes as “just a great community of people.”
“It’s so fun and everyone is really, really nice to you and really supportive. Everyone works well together and we do speeds that benefit everyone.”
She happily shares her enthusiasm for paddling and encourages people to come and try the sport.
Her introduction to the sport came when she attended the Manning River Dragons ‘Come and Try Day’ and it saw her then introduce her nan, Denise Yea to the club.
“It’s a sport for all ages and I just love it.”
