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Dragon Boat Bash Results

Division A - First, CRG; Second, Dragon Masters; Third. Brickyard

Division B - First, True Speed; Second T-Rex; Third, Wyeth Warriors

Division C -First, Purina; Second, Hy-Vee; Third, TNT

Breast Cancer Division - First, Indy Survivors; Second, Dragon Divas; Third, Fighting Angels Abreast; Fourth, Making Waves

Junior Division - First, Junior Dragon Slayers; Second, Animal House; Third, Junior Dragoniers

A short distance off the beach at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, four dragon boats lined up side to side facing the shore. The paddlers held hands from boat to boat, keeping them all together in formation.

The crowd of hundreds along the shore stood silent in respect and remembrance for those who were gone from breast cancer - for those who survived it.

The paddlers then gave the lake a gift. Dozens of pink carnations were tossed out and left to float in the water. Some drifted to shore. Some were still in the water as the races continued at the 13th annual Daybreak Rotary Badger Lake Dragon Boat Bash. Each one was a mute testament to a person who struggled, and either won or lost the battle with cancer.

Gayle Adair, of Maplewood, Minn., was one of those who has won the fight - a year so far. She was on one of the boats.

"It was emotional," she said. "We're there for each other, laughing, crying and paddling."

It is her first year on a team. She joined after telling a friend about her illness,

"She said 'I'm sorry to hear that but now you can be a Dragon Diva,'" Adair said.

Besides raising money for breast cancer research, education and awareness, the dragon boat teams also serve as a support group for their members and help keep them going.

"We all bring each other up," she said. "We're just there for everybody."

Tom Donner, of Fort Dodge, was one of those who have had their spirits raised by fellow paddlers. Recovering from his last rounds of chemo, Donner was back in the boat steering with his humor intact.

"I'm down to two naps a day," he said.

During his own battle with cancer, members of the teams he's coached helped him out with errands, household chores and even brought him food.

He credited one team, the Making Waves, from Rochester, Minn. with more than that.

"The Making Waves team saved my life," he said. "They helped make sure I got into the right areas at Mayo."

Dampening the spirits of the paddlers takes more than the rain showers that moved through the area in the morning. As long as there is no lighting, the events continue.

It even had some advantage for members of the Hy-Vee Chinese Express team.

Tim Berger explained that the rain actually felt pretty good. Fellow team member Clark Fletcher pointed out another advantage.

"They all smell better at the end of the race than at the beginning," he joked.

Fletcher, an avid kayak enthusiast, was new to the team experience.

"I don't paddle well with others," he said before explaining that he does serve another purpose for the team.

"If they need to balance the boat they throw me out," he continued.

Tim Berger explained that the secret to winning a race isn't in brute strength, it's in timing and taking full advantage of each oar stroke.

"If you don't have teamwork," he said. "You won't win."

Fletcher had a bit of additional wisdom.

"Have a vicious woman in the front yelling at you," he said.

The spirit of fun can be found everywhere at the races, decorated tents, silly mascots and of course, hats.

Heath Miller, of Vincent, was modeling a special piece of head gear, an alligator hat with one eye missing.

"He had a hard ride," Miller said. "He's a one-eye alligator."

Racing with the NEW Co-op Dragon Masters, Miller also said that teamwork is essential to a winning run.

"Timing is everything," he said.

Besides sore muscles, damp clothes and perhaps a new addition to their hat collection, participants got to take something else home - satisfaction in knowing that what they are doing is for others.

"You're not here for yourself, Tim Berger said. "But for the benefit of others."

Contact Hans Madsen at (515) 573-2141 or hmadsen@messengernews.net