BEI LOON DRAGON BOAT CLUB

FROM THE PRESIDENT

It’s been a big month for Bei Loon with the arrival of the new boats which is mentioned later in the Newsletter. I would like to again thank the previous Committee for all the hard work they put into the purchase of our new boats. Special mention to Peter Jones, Richard Leifer for his efforts in obtaining the grant and to George Webster for taking over coordination from Peter.

There are plenty of Christmas functions coming up which our Social Committee have been busy working on. I heard they are busy planning some interesting activities for the New Year.

Please have a read of an interesting Profile from Grace Hopewell, how things have changed in the professional surfing world.

Lastly best wishes to all of our Bei Loon members for Christmas and hope you all enjoy the festive season. If you feel like you have been overindulging in Christmas cheer there is always training to work it off.

REGATTA UPDATE

Our next regatta is Sunday 14th December, 2025. This will be held at Penrith. Emails have been sent to those paddlers who are participating asking for the Regatta fees. Please remember if you need to withdraw from the Regatta, email the coaches at coach@beiloon.com.au. The coaches don’t keep checking Team app so please send an email. I would like to say thank you in advance to Di Millgate and Di Alford for volunteering for this regatta.

BEI LOON GOLF – 12th November, 2025

In great weather, the following Bei Loon Swingers teed off on Friday evening 12 November in the annual Bei Loon Par 3 Golf 'Championship' held at Shortees in Terrey Hills:

• Team 1 -  Andy Kyiet, Geoff Bowker, Kim Liddelow, Nigel Farquhar.

• Team 2 -  Ray Bennie, Neil Jones, Kerrie Jones, Nicky Burns.

• Team 3 -  Letitia Lauchlan, Julie Hogan, Jakki Tobin, Annie Knoke.

• Team 4 -  Sally Owen, George Webster, Geoff Webster, Geordie Webster.

Results (with some arithmetical corrections) were:

• Team 4 won with a score of 314 followed by Teams 2 (320), 1 (324) and 3 (337).

• Best Male was Neil J with a 66 with Ray B and Geordie W Runners-up (70).

• Best Female was Jakki T (73) closely followed by Julie H (74).

• Best Male/Female front 9s were George W (31) and Julie H (34).

• Best Male/Female back nines were Neil J (30) and Jakki T (37).

• Birdies were achieved by Andy K, Neil J, Geoff W, Letitia L and Annie K.

All in all, a most enjoyable night out.

SOCIAL EVENTS - CHRISTMAS BBQ

The Christmas BBQ will be held on 7th December, so come along and join in the Christmas festivities for our final BBQ for the year. Don’t forget XMAS DRINKS on 17th December, 2025 at Newport Arms – RSVP on Team app.

NEW BOATS

We had a great turn out for the traditional awakening of the dragon ceremony on Sunday 29th November, 2025 for our new boats. Big thanks to Linda and Siew for organising everything and making it a great memory and event for Bei Loon. Lots of great photos on the Bei Loon WhatsApp

BOAT ETIQUETTE

In the November Newsletter there was information about etiquette at regattas in boats. Please have a re-read of this as certain aspects flow over to training especially talking during drills in the boats and listening to the Coaches instructions. Please also fill boats from the back at training so that we can get on the water and start training more quickly.

DRAGONS ON DARLING

Calling All Officials & Volunteers – Dragons on Darling 2026: The Love Edition!

DBNSW is excited to open the call-out for officials and volunteers for Dragons on Darling 2026 – The Love Edition, taking place on Valentine’s Day, 14 February 2026, at Darling Harbour.

This special Love Edition celebrates connection, community, and courage on the water. Whether it’s the love of racing, the love of inclusion, or the love of being fabulously yourself — this Valentine’s Day regatta is sure to set hearts (and paddles) racing.

If you would like to assist/volunteer at this event, please let me know and I will send you the link

PROFILE – A Surfing Legend

My Big Day at Bells Beach 1969

The Easter surfing competition at Bells Beach at that time is by invitation and this is my third year competing. The previous two years I came third and then second.

The last time I competed I was staying with Gail Couper’s^* family as was Midget Farrelly. So, the three of us commuted from Lorne to Bells each day over Easter.

The day before the comp started all the women competitors were having a practise surf. I was not having a good time as my surfing was off. I looked at the others catching lots of waves and thought that I didn’t have a hope of winning.

On the day the of finals the Comp director decided that the women’s final would go out in the best surf. Something that just didn’t happen in those days. So, I thought to myself, wow! I’ll just go and enjoy surfing this amazing break with 5 other women and enjoy myself.

All thoughts of winning were far from my mind as I enjoyed some of my best surfing ever.
A little thought popped into my mind as I caught my last wave. I might win this.

I did win and only by one point from Phyllis O’Donnel a former world champion. As was the case in those pre women’s Lib days, no one took any photos of women surfing, so I will show you the big bronze bell and the only photo I have of me surfing taken by a local newspaper.

^*Gail Couper won Bells 10 times.  In ’69 she was judging rather than competing.
Midget is a surfing legend.

Grace Hopewell one of our long-term Bei Loon Pinks and Bei Loon member.

PROFILE

Santa Claus (also known as Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle or Santa) is a legendary figure originating in Western Christianculture who is said to bring gifts during the late evening and overnight hours on Christmas Eve. Christmas elves are said to make the gifts in Santa's workshop, while flying reindeer pull his sleigh through the air.

Gifts are only brought to those who are good a lump of coal for everyone else.

Merry Xmas everyone I hope you don’t get a lump of coal.