An Irish emigrant to Australia has become an unlikely success story as part of that country’s national champion dragon boat rowing team.
An Irish emigrant to Australia has become an unlikely success story as part of that country’s national champion dragon boat rowing team.
Twenty-nine-year-old Aidan Cleary from Shinrone, Co Offaly, was selected for the Australian team, nicknamed the Auroras, following his strong performance with club the Melbourne Flames, a team he joined less than two years ago after getting a taste for the aquatic sport by chance.
The former hurler – who lined out for UCD and Kilmacud Crokes in Dublin before moving with his newly married wife ‘down under’, where he quickly found work as a civil engineer – was taking part in a corporate games event in Melbourne’s docklands when he decided on a whim to swap his hurley for a paddle and jump into a dragon boat, a traditional Chinese vessel that has become the basis of a popular team paddling sport.
Cleary was hooked, and his desire for more action on the water led him to seek out his local club. Before long the dragon boat newbie was not only padding for the Melbourne Flames’ premier team – he excelled far enough to be selected for the Victoria state team.
But he didn’t rest on his laurels. Just a year after his first taste of the sport, Cleary set his sights on qualification for the national team – and an opportunity to compete in the Dragon Boat World Championships in Hungary next month, the closest he will be to home since the recession pushed him abroad.
The first step was a gruelling three-day training camp in the Australian capital Canberra, comprising tests of fitness and speed on the water amid a sweltering 38-degree heat wave.
Cleary recalls being physically drained after the first day, despite setting personal bests in the bench press and sit-ups – but his spirits were lifted in that evening’s video analysis session, where the coaches singled him out for his impressive technique.
After the camp came an anxious wait before Cleary would learn of his fate, but he need not have worried, as within days he received notice of his place on the Australian national dragon boat team.
Officially an Aurora, Cleary attended the Australian Dragon Boat Nationals at Penrith in Sydney in April, representing both his club and state teams, and helped both to medals in every event entered – and ultimately the national titles.
The next few weeks will be even more demanding for Cleary as expectations rise for a world-class performance on the international state. Recently the Auroras returned from Singapore where they gained invaluable experience at the Marina Bay Regatta, despite missing out on cash prizes they hoped would fund their impending trip to Hungary.
In the meantime, the Irishman and his new team-mates will be hot on the fundraising trail in Melbourne to ensure they cover all the costs involved, from uniforms and equipment to flights, accommodation, training camps, entry fees and more. First on the agenda for Cleary will surely be purchasing his first paddle of his own!
Friends, family and fans back home can keep track of Aidan Cleary’s training and fundraising efforts – and show their support – via the web at Facebook.com/IrishDragonInOz.
