From page 24

Rocklands High School and the Mitchell’s Plain

Community Police Forum also took part in the

Youth Day Regatta. The team from Ethel’s Place, a

shelter from the destitute in Eastridge, won the

novice section.

“People race for many reasons but I think it is the

discipline, the challenge, the team work and just

being out on the water that keeps people doing it,”

said Jacobs.

“Since the first Youth day Regatta last year, more

black youngsters are taking part in the sport,” said

Jacobs.

One student has been involved in racing for more

than seven years now, and has moved from drummer

boy to a club manager. Ismail Smit started in Grade

10 under the tutelage of Jacobs and now runs the

Drachen Hari-yoshi club.

“I began as a boy because I liked to socialise and

communicate with groups. I didn't really like indi-

vidual sports and this was an easy way for me to

express myself. And I really enjoyed the racing

aspect of the sport,” said Smit.

“Take it from me, when you involve yourself in

this sport you surround yourself with good people,

positive people,” said Smit.

“It is the individual's choice if they want to

become a success or if they want to fail. I chose to

go into dragonboat racing and be positive, and I

brought my friends with me.”

Smit attends False Bay College where he is study-

ing boat building. He is designing a competitive

dragonboat racing oar that can be produced in South

Africa and sold throughout the world.

Upon completion, the oar will be sent to the Inter-

national Dragonboat Federation for approval for

competition.

There are more than 450 people involved in drag-

onboat racing in Cape Town with 12 participating

club teams.

Once a month, the clubs participate in a compe-

tition held down at the V&A Waterfront, and most

teams practise once or twice a week to prepare.

Each boat has 20 participants that make up its

crew; 18 paddlers, one drummer facing the paddlers,

usually the beginner or youngest on the team, and

one sweep who stands at the rear of the boat and is

in charge of guiding it and keeping it from harm.

23PlainsmanWednesday July 8 2009SPORT

WALK DISTANCES: 5KM / 10KM / 20KM

Your R25 entry fee will feed 21 children

SUNDAY 30 AUGUST 2009Closing date for entries - 16 August 2009

ENTER ONLINE AT www.psfa.org.za

Mitchell’s Plain dragonboat racers shine at Youth Day paddling Regatta“If you just want to watch or are

thinking about getting involved, you

can come to the V&A Waterfront on a

Saturday morning and there are a

host of dragon boaters there and we

will welcome you with open arms,”

says Smit.

● For more information call

Moegsien Jacobs on 078 368 7536 or

Ismail Smit on 074 222 9885.

■ Crew leader Ismail Smit always tries to get the best outof his team.

■ The Mitchell’s Plain dragonboat crew that took part in the Youth Dayregatta at the V&A Waterfront.

■ The Mitchell’s Plain Allstar Dragons take to the water during atraining session.

PICTURE: JOHN TEEPICTURES: DUNCAN VAN NIEKERK

■ Moegsien Jacobs displays some of his team’s medals