The Villages - May 2008 - (Page 23)

Both boats’ qualifying times placed them in Division D. In the semi-ﬁnals, the teams turned in similar times in their separate heats. Team I had its best time of the day with 2:33.32. In the ﬁnal race of the day, Team II advanced to the Championship of Division D, and Team I raced in the consolation round. Team II turned in its best time of the day with 2:29.91, missing second place by .8 seconds. Fighting against the wind all day, the teams improved their times over last year’s and were pleased with the day’s results. “There were many factors that helped us improve this season: the new paddle stroke, our practice and training was more aggressive and Rick White’s help were some of the main reasons we did so well,” Mickey said. Team II’s performance in the ﬁnal race earned them the Fastest Senior Team award and all the Village Dragons earned medals. One of the biggest surprises of the day was a special award for the Best Team Leader that was given to Mickey Jensen. “I was dumbfounded. I couldn’t ﬁgure out why they picked me. I thought they made a mistake,” Mickey said. “I spoke with Becky Claffy of the Tavares Rotary Board and I learned what they looked at. It was the expansion of the teams, securing sponsorship with A.G. Edwards, our publicity and planting the seed of dragon boating in The Villages.” Team members couldn’t have been more in agreement with the Central Florida Dragon Boat Festival honor. “Mickey has phenomenal organizing skills, a lot of patience and a great attitude,” Barb said. Dick agreed, “She’s a really good leader.” “I remember the sense of joy and appreciation when I heard about Mickey’s award; she’s expanded awareness of dragon boating and also managed to bring two wellrepared teams to the festival,” said Mike Jeakle, Team II member and Village of Poinciana resident. THE RESULTS Practices are hard work. Lake water splashes into the boat. The sun can be scorching on the water. So why? “I saw the boat and I thought it was cute,” Barb said. “Then we started practice and I thought, ‘What have I gotten myself into?’” She recalled, laughing. “When we all ﬁrst started, we were clumsy, clacking paddlers. Now we’re a well-functioning machine,” Barb said. Dick recalled his initial thoughts about deciding to join. “It’s unique. My son said, ‘I just can’t believe all the crazy things you’ve done.’ I’d never heard of dragon boats,” Dick said. Both Barb and Dick are members of the Canoe and Kayak Club, as well as the Lake Sumter Bicycling Club. Both said that all the Village Dragons share a love of outdoor activities and keeping active physically, but there’s more to it than that. “It’s a bit macho for me. I like the competition, and I feel I’ve accomplished something. I’ve been able to paddle a dragon boat,” Dick said. Barb also feels a sense of accomplishment, but she’s gained something else. She added, “I have formed friendships that go beyond being in the boat. There are many people I feel I could call on if I needed them. It’s like you’ve been thrown into combat with someone.” They both said the festivals they compete in provide many memorable and fun moments that reward the team for their hard work. “The team performed a skit during the opening ceremonies of the Central Florida Dragon Boat Festival. Liz wrote the script and Mickey read it while the team was on stage together,” Dick said. “It had a few funny parts, but had a dramatic ending.” Dick said that Mickey had the crowd enraptured. “It went over so great. When we came off the stage, all the other teams were screaming and cheering for us. “It’s also like that when we come off the water after competing,” Dick said. “The younger teams are really gracious to us. They form lines and high ﬁve us when we get off the boat.” TEAM SPIRIT MAGAZINE 23

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of The Villages - May 2008

The Villages - May 2008 Contents Latin Dancing Makes for Fun Fitness Making Graceful Moves in the Water Students Create Culinary Ecstasy in Pizzas Summer Plants and Flowers Brain Exercises Shopping & Dining Guide Retail Briefs Entertainment Briefs Major Events Snapshots

The Villages - May 2008

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