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PADDLERS READY - Race Season Has Begun!

The Inverness Festival was a fun and fulfilling kickoff to the racing season, with the PDL’s taking the silver medal in the BCS division. Tessie expertly avoided a near collision in the first race as the crew stayed focused and never stopped paddling, keeping us out of harm’s way to finish second. When the third race was cancelled due to an incoming storm, the Pinks made the best of it and had tons of fun (and lunch!) together before heading home. The Tampa festival is just around the corner — and we are more than ready for our next challenge.

Member Contributions

Volunteers, coaches, and board members do so much to keep our organization vital. Please remember that boats, equipment, docks, storage, and race registration have fixed costs. We suggest that members donate $10 monthly to keep us “above water.” If you can donate quarterly ($30) or annually ($120), it will save on labor and processing. Of course, any additional gifts are welcomed with gratitude. The PDL’s would prefer to receive your gift as a check payable to Team Survivor Tampa Bay, mailed c/o Pam Walenczik, 1248 Jasmine Lake Dr, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689, or give your contribution to Pam at practice. Alternatively, click here to give to the Pinks.

DONATE

Team Calendar

  • Practices will continue on Saturday mornings at 7:00 AM and Tuesday evenings at 6:00 PM.

  • Connie Bainbridge offers an amazing — FREE — Exercise Class via Zoom, designed specifically for paddlers.

    • Sunday – log in at 8:45 AM – Class starts at 9:00 AM

    • Thursday – log in at 6:45 PM – Class starts at 7:00 AM

    • Sign up on TeamSnap, or join “PDL Fitness for Paddlers” group on Facebook for tips and links to recorded classes.

  • April 30, Saturday – Tampa Bay International Dragon Boat Festival

    Rocky Point – Chase Suites

    More race updates and community events will be announced in our next newsletter.

Pat Bradley Mini-Camp

Coach Pat Bradley of Team USA and Liz Bradley spent a weekend with the Pink Dragon Ladies on the Hillsborough and at Rick’s on the River in early March. The Pinks worked hard as these two amazing coaches gave instruction on best practices for paddling, racing, and winning. Video reviews, individual coaching sessions, technical analysis, and lots and lots of paddling helped as 33 PDL’s tried their best to become better paddlers. It was a terrific opportunity to learn from Pat and Liz’s expertise and experience.

Many thanks to Deena’s family for their help in making the weekend a success. Stephen’s Jersey Mike’s stores, located in Marketplace North in Tampa and Plant City, provided yummy lunch sandwiches and snacks, while Lauren and Pepsi donated lots of Gatorade and Aquafina to keep participants hydrated. Thanks also to Brian and Paul for being our steers. What a treat to have Helen, Liz, and Ruth as our lunch ladies. We appreciate you all!

Board Meeting April - And a Call for Volunteers

If you have questions, concerns, comments, or shout-outs you’d like to express to the Board, please contact our secretary Lisa Robba at dipia@msn.com, or any member of the Board and ask to add them to the agenda for the April meeting. Remember, it’s our team, and communication is key.

The Board is planning to hold a golf fundraiser in the autumn of 2022. Past golf scrambles raised funds for travel to international festivals—and they were enjoyable for all! These events have a lot of moving parts, and require many volunteers to run smoothly, so if you are able to help, please let Deena know.

Pinks Cheer for Pro Sports

A group of Pink Dragon Ladies attended a Tampa Bay Rowdies game on March 19 versus the Indy Eleven. Rowdies won 1 - 0. And an exciting Tampa Bay Lightning match against the Buffalo Sabres resulted in a 4 - 0 win for the Bolts. When Pinks root for the home team, it works!

Member Profile: Terika Parris

What have the Pinks meant to you?

Becoming a Pink reminded me that I am strong. It was a long, hard journey recovering from three surgeries and chemotherapy. Being surrounded by so many survivors gave me the encouragement I needed to continue in my recovery.

Tell us something we don't know about you.

I’m a shy introvert. It’s true! Teaching showed me how to project my voice and be out of myself.

What have you learned on your cancer and dragon boat journey?

I’ve learned that anything is possible! I’ve been able to share my cancer journey with others to give them hope. Being a part of the Pinks has given me hope.

What advice would you give other survivors?

Be a fierce advocate of your own health! Own your story, you never know who’s following your “light.”